photography

European Mantis – Green

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One of the most amazing things about living in Spain for me, were all the mantises. Even though we weren’t near much foliage for the first year, I managed to buy a plant from the garden center which had not one baby mantis in it, but two! You can read about that little episode here – Bobby M the wild pet Mantis

But once we moved inland a bit and into the mountains, they were in abundance. I think I photographed about 3 or 4 different types and colouring, so will do a post for each as they are such awesome creatures and deserve a post each.

Green European Mantis

This one walked right through the garden one day, taking his time. They are very curious mostly.

Green European Mantis

They let me get up quite close and their photoshoots, which is lucky for me because I get so excited I usually scare things away.

Green European Mantis
Green European Mantis

They really are an epic display of nature.

(c) K Wicks

Sweetpea Pink

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A lovely flower that reminds me of my grandmother. She had them growing in their garden and would have a small bunch fresh on the table when they were in season. They look and smell really pretty and brighten up the garden nicely.

Sweetpea
Sweetpea

This is one of the very few photos I have of an organgetip butterfly, they are so quick and rarely land, but this one let me take a few pictures.

Orangetip Butterfly on a Sweetpea

(c) K Wicks

The first mantis

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Only two months into being in Spain, I saw my first mantis. Out walking with the camera after a storm, it was just sitting there on a low wall, I couldn’t believe it. I really didn’t expect it to be so randomly there so was elated. My first photo of a mantis, which was followed by many more and will be appearing in upcoming posts 🙂

European Mantis – Brown

(c) K Wicks

Japanese pink anemone

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I finally got around to filing the multitude of photographs I have taken over the last 6 years. It’s only now I can start to fully appreciate the amount of different flowers that I have seen. So far I have named over 60 and haven’t quite finished. Sorry if flowers aren’t your thing, there’s going to be a lot more coming up! Starting with the Japanese anemone which we had in abundance in the UK where I used to live. A very pretty flower.

(c) K Wicks

St Mary’s Chapel

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From the Spectacle of Light event a couple of years ago, this is one of my favourite’s from the night. Henry the VIII’s sixth and final wife Catherine Parr spent her final months at Sudeley Castle and is laid to rest in St Mary’s Chapel there. I have seen it in the day light too, and it’s nice, but splash colourful lights on things and it makes my eyes very happy!

St Mary’s Chapel, Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire

(c) K Wicks