View of the estepa. The Sierra Nevada is in the distance.
It has been a beautiful, warm, spring-like day and on the estepa of the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata signs of new life are everywhere, as we discovered on our morning walk.
Newly hatched caterpillars
We came upon this ball of newly-hatched caterpillars on a heliathemun but we’re not sure which butterfly or moth they will turn into, possibly small tortoiseshell.
Fan lipped orchid
The first orchids of the year are out. These striking fan-lipped orchids are very common here.
Gagias
We also saw some gagias, pretty, little yellow flowers, which belong to the lily family.
Asphodels
Asphodels, which grow in abundance on the estepa, are coming into flower, too.
Looking down on Las Vacas
We walked as far as the ridge above the hippy colony at Las Vacas.
Fossils
The stones here are covered with fossils of sea shells which must at least seven million years old.
Like this:
Like Loading...
About Margaret Merry
I grew up in Falmouth, Cornwall, England where, after leaving Falmouth High School, I spent a year at Falmouth School of Art. Then followed three years at Hornsey College of Art in London where I obtained a Diploma in Art and Design. I then spent a post-graduate year at the West of England College of Art in Bristol where I gained an Art Teacher?s Diploma and a Certificate in Education of the University of Bristol. I lived and worked in Truro for over 30 years and became one of Cornwall's most popular artists. My paintings have been exhibited in New York, Tokyo, Paris and London and have been bought by collectors from all over the world. I have published 4 books which became local bestsellers - 'The Natural History of a Westcountry City', 'Margaret Merry's Cornish Garden Sketchbook', 'Sea & Sail' and 'Tidal Reaches'.
In 2002 I moved to Spain and now live on a farm near the historic town of Loja in El Poniente Granadino in the Province of Granada. I now get my inspiration from the dramatic mountain scenery of Andalucia which I finds lends itself to the medium of pastel and the old towns and villages which I prefer to capture in watercolour.
I have written and illustrated 3 children's books - The Wise Old Boar, The Lonely Digger and The Adventure of Princess The Pony - which are being published in the USA. The Lonely Digger is now available to purchase on line at www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheLonelyDigger.html and The Wise Old Boar at www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheWiseOldBoar.html . The books are inspired by the wildlife and landscapes around my home.
Hello Margaret! Beautiful pics! Imagine the weather in Brussels!…
May I ask you where Las Vacas is in the park? Thank you.
Las Vacas is about 4 km down a track on the right between Las Hortichuelas and Fernan Perez. Its full name on the map is Cortijada de Majada de las Vacas.
Wonderful ,flowes in the desert are doubly miraculous!