Kiersten Rowland

Adventures, wildlife, and life in the Alpujarras

Notes – All years

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What else did we see 🤔#Lammergeier that's what we saw, not 1 but 2 of these beauties ❤ We watched them away in the distance as they 'played' in the sky mirroring eachother flying. I only have record shots because they were too far away, when one did come reasonably close it took us by surprise and I wasn't ready 🤣 But for me it was the highlight of our trip, It's an amazing privilege to have seen this pair. Bit of info in the comments about these

Distant shot of a Lammergeier flying high in the mountains Distant shot of a Lammergeier flying high in the mountains

Distant shot of a Lammergeier flying close to a mountain Distant shot of a Lammergeier flying close to a mountain

Lammergeier flying past showing it's beard and a satellite tracker on it's back Lammergeier flying past showing it's beard and a satellite tracker on it's back

Back shot of a Lammergeier flying past showing it's satellite tracker Back shot of a Lammergeier flying past showing it's satellite tracker

We were going to be walking and spending the night in a reliable place for seeing the Griffon Vulture. I hoped that adding the extra weight to my pack, ie the enormous lens and camera, that I wouldn't just be taking it for a walk for 2 days but would actually use it. The Griffon Vultures didn't let me down ❤️ 17 yrs walking in these mountains I am learning where the wildlife hangs out

A head on shot of a Griffon Vulture flying straight at the photographer A head on shot of a Griffon Vulture flying straight at the photographer

The enormous bulk of the Griffon Vulture can be seen in this over head shot as the vulture flew overhead as the sun was going down The enormous bulk of the Griffon Vulture can be seen in this over head shot as the vulture flew overhead as the sun was going down

A Griffon Vulture resting on some rocks blending in with it's surroundings A Griffon Vulture resting on some rocks blending in with it's surroundings

A photo of the underside of a Griffon Vulture flying overhead A photo of the underside of a Griffon Vulture flying overhead

Yesterday I shared a sun photo, today is the photo I took during our overnight trip into the mountains recently. Both shots were hand held, which I think is quite impressive considering the weight of the lens and camera 🥴

A photo of a half moon seeing clearly the craters and other markings on the moon. A photo of a half moon seeing clearly the craters and other markings on the moon.

One photo from our latest overnight trip into the mountains. The setting sun allowed me to get a shot of it, just as it was dunking down into the mess of the calima and heat haze. Taken from our bivvi spot on the Cartujo at 3152m. Look at those sun spots!

A close up picture of the setting sun showing sun spots A close up picture of the setting sun showing sun spots

We took the dogs to the river for a walk today. It's really a stream, not rivers how we know them to be, but hey it's a close to a river you get around here. Anyway for the summer months they partially dam part of it to make a pool. Two years ago we taught our dogs to swim here and each year we visit a couple of times. Arko was straight in no encouragement needed ❤️

A black and white husky swimming in a pool in a river

The last of the pictures from our trip into the mountains. Mostly scene shots today. Can you spot the face in the rocks 🤔

A photo of ridgelines of mountains appearing in the setting sun A photo of ridgelines of mountains appearing in the setting sun

Another view of ridgelines of mountains in the setting sun with the orange glow over the Mediterranean sea Another view of ridgelines of mountains in the setting sun with the orange glow over the Mediterranean sea

A picture of the setting sun going down behind a mountain. The mountains are silhouetted and the sky is orange A picture of the setting sun going down behind a mountain. The mountains are silhouetted and the sky is orange

A face in the rocks A face in the rocks

Some nature shots from our recent outing into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Vasar de Mulhacen, a night on the Collado de Siete Lagunas and all the way down, down, down, 1700m down to Trevelez. Great trip, legs still recovering from that decent 🥴 We saw plenty of wildlife, Iberian Ibex, Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagles, Red-billed Choughs, Northern Wheatears, Alpine Accentors. Not so many wildflowers left now.

A male Iberian Ibex standing on rock watching the approaching humans A male Iberian Ibex standing on rock watching the approaching humans

A Griffon Vulture flying overhead A Griffon Vulture flying overhead

A young Iberian Ibex standing on a rock looking at the camera with yellow flowers scattered among the rocks behind A young Iberian Ibex standing on a rock looking at the camera with yellow flowers scattered among the rocks behind

A picture of some yellow flowers growing beside a mountain stream A picture of some yellow flowers growing beside a mountain stream

I enjoy my Four O Clock flowers seeing what colours they have decided to come out in. They are mostly multicoloured and not often just one solid colour. Mine don't flower at four o clock they are much later as the sun goes down. Proper name Mirabilis jalapa, or another common name The marvel of Peru.

Four O Clock flower. The flower is yellow, white and pink. Four O Clock flower. The flower is yellow, white and pink.

Four O Clock flowers. these ones are a mix of yellow pink white all blended into one Four O Clock flowers. these ones are a mix of yellow pink white all blended into one

Four O Clock flowers. These particular ones are a mixture of white and pink Four O Clock flowers. These particular ones are a mixture of white and pink

I rescued this baby Praying Mantis yesterday from the dog pool. I had to use the macro lens as she was so tiny but seemed grateful for the rescue 🙏 Update : - Turns out this is an endangered adult Apteromantis aptera

A tiny baby Praying Mantis looking straight at the camera while clinging onto a blade of grass. A tiny baby Praying Mantis looking straight at the camera while clinging onto a blade of grass.

A sweet little Long-tailed Tit family were searching for food in the trees this morning ❤ They never stay still for long, always on the move. Regular visitors to the garden.

A Long-tailed Tit looking into an olive tree for food A Long-tailed Tit looking into an olive tree for food

A Long-tailed Tit sitting still for a second in an olive tree, you can just start to see the white head stripe A Long-tailed Tit sitting still for a second in an olive tree, you can just start to see the white head stripe

Long-tailed Tit sitting still long enough to get an in focus shot. Sitting side on to the camera Long-tailed Tit sitting still long enough to get an in focus shot. Sitting side on to the camera

This Long-tailed Tit took off just as I pressed the shutter, hence the head is not in focus This Long-tailed Tit took off just as I pressed the shutter, hence the head is not in focus

It always pays to stop and look at the view behind you when you are walking. The north faces of and dominating the skyline with the rising above. The red roof of refugio San Fransico standing out.

A view of the north faces of two of biggest mountains in Spain's Sierra Nevada national park. The moon rising behind one mountain. At the end of a track there is a little refugio with a red roof standing alone on the green slops with the big mountains behind. A view of the north faces of two of biggest mountains in Spain's Sierra Nevada national park. The moon rising behind one mountain. At the end of a track there is a little refugio with a red roof standing alone on the green slops with the big mountains behind.

On Friday we said our final goodbye to Mum 💔

Through the last 20 years she had 10 cancer diagnosis, she never complained, never looked for sympathy or loaded her troubles onto anyone. She was always smiling, positive and continued to live her life. Most people would not have known how poorly she had been at times. She has been inspiration and I will miss her enormously.

I will take a leaf out of Mum's book and live life with a smile, courage, strength, love and happiness ❤️

A head picture of my Mum taken on her 60th wedding anniversary celebration A head picture of my Mum taken on her 60th wedding anniversary celebration

A wicker coffin inside a hearse with white flowers spelling out Mum in front. A wicker coffin inside a hearse with white flowers spelling out Mum in front.

On Tuesday we found 4 of the 6 Gentians in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's highly likely we saw 5, the two tube gentians are very similar. Some of these flowers are so tiny, most people don't see them. Info on each picture.

Gentianella tenella (Lapland Gentian). Grows between 2800 and 3200m. It has a wide distribution but is classed as a threatened species in the Sierra Nevada. Gentianella tenella (Lapland Gentian). Grows between 2800 and 3200m. It has a wide distribution but is classed as a threatened species in the Sierra Nevada.

Gentiana boryi. Grows between 2200 and 3200m. I believe this only grows in Iberia and only on two other mountain ranges. It is classed as a vulnerable species. Gentiana boryi. Grows between 2200 and 3200m. I believe this only grows in Iberia and only on two other mountain ranges. It is classed as a vulnerable species.

Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp. depressa (Marsh Gentian). It grows between 2200 and 3200m. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada and is classed as a vulnerable species. Gentiana pneumonanthe subsp. depressa (Marsh Gentian). It grows between 2200 and 3200m. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada and is classed as a vulnerable species.

Gentiana sierrae (Spring Gentian). Grows between 1700 and 3200m. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada. Gentiana sierrae (Spring Gentian). Grows between 1700 and 3200m. It is endemic to the Sierra Nevada.

Sweep sleeping in a bowl in a bowl for

A tri coloured cat curled up asleep in a bowl that is inside a larger bowl A tri coloured cat curled up asleep in a bowl that is inside a larger bowl

We call this guy Scruffy. I think he might be an Elvis fan 🤔

A male Blackbird standing on top of a green wooden shed. The feathers on the top of his head are standing up and also those on his throat. A male Blackbird standing on top of a green wooden shed. The feathers on the top of his head are standing up and also those on his throat.

A handsome stallion walks by in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada. We had had a couple of big Saharan dust storms which had turned the snow to the colour you see. I took this photo one year ago.

A dark grey stallion walking across a green area in the high mountains with snow coloured by Saharan dust and rocks behind him A dark grey stallion walking across a green area in the high mountains with snow coloured by Saharan dust and rocks behind him

Isn't it great when you come upon an unexpected plant. Aquilegia vulgaris L. subsp. nevadensis is an endemic species, classified as vulnerable and is on the Red List of the Vascular Flora of Andalucia. I only know of a couple of areas where this plant grows, usually see it in early June, but not this year it's out and flowering already I expect due to the dry winter and spring we have had.

A picture of a blue/purple Aquilegia flower A picture of a blue/purple Aquilegia flower

It's Saturday so that must mean it's. Sooty and Sweep and dancing their way into the weekend.

A calico coloured cat standing on her back legs looking like she is dancing A calico coloured cat standing on her back legs looking like she is dancing

A tortoiseshell coloured cat standing on her back legs looking like she is dancing A tortoiseshell coloured cat standing on her back legs looking like she is dancing

The dogs say the hot weather makes cushions explode, it's very dangerous to be left home alone and we should be thankful no animal was hurt! Picture 1 is the exploded cushion. Picture 2 the dogs who reported the exploding cushion story.

A destroyed dog bed with the stuffing out all over the place. A destroyed dog bed with the stuffing out all over the place.

A black and white picture of two dogs trotting next to eachother. Dog on the left is white and dog on the right is black and white with blue eyes. A black and white picture of two dogs trotting next to eachother. Dog on the left is white and dog on the right is black and white with blue eyes.

Had some great Mammatus clouds yesterday where I am staying in the UK.

A view over house rooftops with Mammatus clouds in the sky A view over house rooftops with Mammatus clouds in the sky

Mammatus clouds Mammatus clouds

A view over house rooftops with Mammatus clouds in the sky A view over house rooftops with Mammatus clouds in the sky

It's been 30 years since my first Siberian Husky (Gypsy) was born ❤️ She was my introduction to the breed, I've been hooked ever since. I surprise myself being able to remember her birthday 🥳

Black and white Siberian husky dog curled on a living room chair. A picture taken in the 90's Black and white Siberian husky dog curled on a living room chair. A picture taken in the 90's

We had an unusual view today of the Castillo and the town of La Calahorra today. Taken from 2609m on the summit of Morrón Sanjuanero in the Sierra Nevada mountains 😎

A shot of the Castillo de La Calahorra is located in La Calahorra, in the province of Granada, Spain. It is situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Built between 1509 and 1512, it was one of the first Italian Renaissance castles to be built outside Italy. A shot of the Castillo de La Calahorra is located in La Calahorra, in the province of Granada, Spain. It is situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Built between 1509 and 1512, it was one of the first Italian Renaissance castles to be built outside Italy.

My nemesis bird, OK so I have a few but today we are talking about the Iberian Magpie. This bird is super friendly in some parts of Spain, I just have never met one of those 🤔 This shot is probably the best shot of one I've taken in 17 years of living here 🤦‍♀️🤣 Do you have a nemesis bird?

A picture of an Iberian Magpie flying away from the photographer towards a pine tree A picture of an Iberian Magpie flying away from the photographer towards a pine tree

It was a wild walk today. The sun was shining on the Mediterranean sea and the sky was full of forming lenticular clouds. No camera today only had the mobile with me. More tomorrow.

Looking over an almond grove down on a Spanish hillside village, sun shining on the Mediterranean sea and the sky full of forming lenticular clouds Looking over an almond grove down on a Spanish hillside village, sun shining on the Mediterranean sea and the sky full of forming lenticular clouds