Random Encounters. Sardinian Warbler, Barn swallow and Red Eared Slider

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) is a common warbler from the Mediterranean region. I find the Sardinian Warbler's song a bit too rattling for a songbird ;)

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) male singing in the foliage. (by-nc-nd)

Egyptian Grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium)

I bumped into this alien-warrior-in-armour like creature laying eggs on a footpath.

Egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium), or the 'Egyptian Locust', is a species belonging to the family Acrididae present in most of Europe, in eastern Palearctic, in the Near East and North and tropical Africa. It is one of the largest European grasshoppers: adult males can be up to 30–55 millimetres (1.2–2.2 in) long, while females are up to  65–70 millimetres (2.6–2.8 in) long. They are usually gray, brown or olive coloured, while hind tibiae being blue and hind femora orange. They have distinctive eyes with vertical black and white stripes. This solitary species is folivore and not harmful to crops. Adults can mainly be encountered in August and September in warm and dry habitats. Spawning occurs in spring just under the soil surface and the nymphs appear in April.

Egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium) female spawning in the soil
(© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Homage to small flowers. Houndstongue, Scarlet Pimpernel, Yellow clovers

“Look closely, the beautiful may be small.” — Kant.

That should be the slogan of macro photography. It’s a unique tool that allows us to discover and display, among other things, discover the beauty of small flowers that would otherwise go unnoticed since it’s too small to be perceived in all its splendour with a naked eye.

Cynoglossum creticum. (© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)  

Black and White Mask-and-Mantle Cat on the Tree

Things do indeed look different from a high vantage point.

Mask and mantle cat on the tree. (by-nc-nd)

Spring Sketches. Mainly Birds

The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), the most widespread species of swallow in the world, is a passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is common in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Their cheerful warbles and flutter fill the air with joy.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) perched on a reed
(© LightColourShade. All rights reserved)