Flora and fauna

Contrail over granite, lavender and cistus, Sierra de La Cabrera (pre-Covid).

Near the entrance to the Roselada de Madrid. Full screen please.

Cantueso. The name of this lavender variety. It used to be thought of as the same as a similar-looking Provençal variety; it looks the same. But DNA profiling proved it was distinct. By the way, the two top 'petals' are in fact modified leaves. ADDED NOTE: It seems I was misinformed. This Wilki link is more accurate and up-tp-date! es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavandula_stoechas

Parque del Oeste, Madrid. I was lining up a shot when the sprinklers came on at full force and the twin spurt of the one you can see here, came straight up between my legs and knocked me off my feet! I managed to take the shot you see and held on to my smartphone! But for 20 minutes it looked like I had had an unfortunate accident!

HFF everyone. Parque de Santander, Madrid

They've opened the inner sections of the park but still don't allow maskless joggers (rightly so). Nevertheless I saw runners enter at walking pace in front of the park attendant at the gate, go round the corner, take off their masks and start jogging. I paused a while and stated matter-of-factly under my mask, 'Selfish murderous tosser', 'Anti-social moron', etc and I amused myself with going through my entire slang repertoire. If they knew enough English (and I'm sure many of the younger ones did) I wasn't challenged, let alone thumped, ... because they know they should be ashamed of themselves.

From the coastpath at Newdown's Head, Cornwall

A late spring wildflower image in the Sierra de La Cabrera.

The first (very small) park I saw open in Madrid since the start of lockdown. And I just caught the very last of the wisteria. That's my spring flora shot for the year! (Better on large, z, black, full screen.)

Bustarviejo Valley, La Sierra de La Cabrera. They seem to like poor but free-draining soil near a bit of boggy ground (snow melt perhaps)

An August shot, judging by the haws. I don't remember how hot it was but it would have been H.O.T.!

I know I posted another one recently and this same one a few months ago, but I missed them this year so here it is again! (I didn't think you´d mind!)

SIerra de La Cabrera, Central Spain

Poppy field near Algete, Madrid Province.

Granite, cistus and wild rose. It's mid June but still late spring in the mountains.

Spring last year in the Sierra. Sorry, I've not been active. My laptop hard drive died and I have to rely for everything, including giving classes, on my phone. I don't find using a phone keyboard all that easy and I can't edit easily, if at all. So I will visit infrequently. I hope you all stay very, very safe. Bye for now, Andy

La Sierra de La Cabrera. I liked the colour palette here.

Many of us (and soon most if not all of us I suspect) will miss spring this year. Let us all share our best spring shots from past seasons to cheer us all up! Thank you and stay safe!.