macro

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

Rat Skeleton

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I used to collect dead things. I had a small clear cassette box and kept things in there. Its not as bad as it sounds, there was a butterfly that had unfortunately not made it out of the house. Part of a snake skin, a dead bug, and strangely a piece a broken glass – but only because it was quite artistic I remember. That collection has now long since gone, but if I pass something these days, I stop for a moment. To look and think.

This picture was taken in Spain, while out on a walk. This was in a wall, in a gap in the bricks. Of course I had to take it out and photograph it, I have never seen a rat skeleton before and found it fascinating. I left it in a small grassy area with some flowers hiding it, having only taken a few photos. 

Rat Skelton#1

I could see my husband wasn’t entirely comfortable with me doing this type of photo shoot with holiday makers walking around. But it always feels a bit special to be able to see what has once been, but in the next stage. I guess this is why I like archaeology so much, especially when they find graves. Because without adding any fantasy or make believe to who, how or why – you are looking at someone who once lived. That bit of evidence is undeniable.

(c) K Wicks photographer

Orchids

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A flower I adore, detailed, elegant and loads of different varieties. It’s no surprise to me, my Grandmother had them around her house, but it wasn’t until I took up photography that they became a firm favourite. Turns out though, I am the kiss of death for them when trying to care for them. I am not a natural gardener but enjoy it thoroughly, house plants have a slim chance of overall survival. So I now have a spider plant and one small ficus tree. I remember we had them in my house growing up and they seemed to do well. We had a yukka too, couldn’t get one of those though as my dog has a knack for digging up plants when I am not looking!

But as well as having orchids here and there I also got to see lots in an Orchid house in Florida years ago (the first two pics).

Orchid House, Florida
Orchid House, Florida

Since the garden centers closed and lockdown made everything weird, I don’t purchase things like this anymore as I like to see and make a choice on the spot. So will just enjoy previous pictures I have of them for now.

Home orchid
Home orchid

They are such wonderfully structures plants, I can’t help but be in awe of nature when I look at them.

Home orchid

I also found some wild orchids out walking in Spain which I will do a separate post for as they are quite different to the ornamental ones. I have seen wild orchids in the UK as well but don’t think I have any photos of them.

Home Orchid

(c) K Wicks

Swallowtail

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Another wonderful find in Spain for me was stumbling across a swallowtail caterpillar quite by accident. I had already seen the butterflies but had no idea this is what they start as – I usually try and identify all the insects I take photos of and this one was easy.

It was quite the find, and over a few months I was lucky enough to find another. Even though they are so bright, they blend in so well.

It’s amazing to think they start as eggs, turn onto caterpillars, then turn into a chrysalis, then into a wonderfully beautiful butterfly. A four stage life process of being different things in each. Awesome.

Once butterflies start landing and staying for a few minutes, it is very difficult to get me to move, I get obsessed with getting a shot. But my overall excited energy usually disturbs them and I have to make a big effort to clam down and keep as still as possible. So I’m pleased I got any of them at all out and about on walks.

(c) K Wicks