This was a real treat and I still don’t really know how my husband spotted it.
But there it was, aware of us too and seemingly wanting to start making a getaway.
But i managed to follow him around for a few minutes and see what a strange creature he really, even compared to the other mantises I had seen.
Goes down as one of the most alien creatures I have ever seen.
(c) K Wicks
Out on one of our walks in Spain, we stumbled across these orchids up in the hills. I was so excited to find not just one wild orchid type, but three! I have found a few wild orchids in the UK while out walking the dogs but never with a camera in hand. Spain however is vastly different, wildlife and insects literally just lying around. Sometimes I figured it was just too hot to do anything, for them included. Which was great for photo opportunities (hence the abundance of photos I have from spending just two years there). But these were a real treat to see.
(c) K Wicks
This was a stunning sunset, like the sky was on fire and it got more lovely as it went, ending in almost lenticular clouds. These pictures are unedited, it is as it was through the Nikon D5500. Think I have some new painting ideas here 🙂
(c) K Wicks
An October morning in Spain a few years ago saw a rather lovely moon setting.
(c) K Wicks
El Torcal de Antequera is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range in Andalusia, Spain. We went for a day out there while in Spain and was certainly not disappointed. The geology was great, being a karstic landscape made of limestone and the views spectacular. You are so high up you actually looked out over the clouds.
It was incredible to see and is impressive.
(c) K Wicks
I got to see some magnificent sunrises in Spain and this is one of them. Unfiltered and as it was from the impressive beginning to the wonderful end captured by my Nikon. I was transfixed.
(c) K Wicks
One of the most colourful birds I have seen in the wild is this one, the Spanish bee-eater. Only managed to get a few shots and didn’t want to try and get too much closer in case I scared him away before I got any. I have a knack of disturbing the wildlife I am trying to capture!
He only hung around for a few minutes then was off on his travels again but a real treat to have drop into the garden!
(c) K Wicks
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
This is a very pretty little succulent plant called a kalanchoe, photographed in Spain with a Nikon D5500.
(c) K Wicks
Photograph of Mount Maroma in Spain with huge clouds that came from nowhere and covered the mountain. Animated.
(c) K Wicks
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