25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - RED WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)

The red-winged starling is not endangered and can be a pest in some areas, raiding orchards and attacking people that wander too close to their nests.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - WESTERN CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis ssp. ibis)

The Cattle Egret, a member of the heron family Ardeidae, is a small white bird recognized for its association with grazing animals. It exhibits a stout build, with a wingspan ranging from 88 to 96 cm, and a body length between 46 to 56 cm. The species is relatively light, weighing between 270 to 512 grams. It is characterized by a short, thick neck, a robust bill, and a somewhat hunched posture.

Outside the breeding season, the adult Cattle Egret has predominantly white plumage, a yellow bill, and greyish-yellow legs. Come breeding time, the western variety develops striking orange-buff plumes on the back, breast, and crown, while the bill, legs, and irises turn a vivid red. The eastern variety differs slightly with buff coloration extending to the cheeks and throat during breeding, and the plumes taking on a more golden hue. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though males are marginally larger with longer breeding plumes.

Cattle Egrets are adaptable birds that exploit a variety of drier and open habitats more than other heron species. Their preferred environments include seasonally inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands, and rice paddies.

Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Cattle Egret has seen a significant expansion in its distribution, colonizing much of the rest of the world over the last century. It is now found in the tropics, subtropics, and warm-temperate zones globally.

Cattle Egrets are often seen in the company of cattle or other large mammals, benefiting from the insects and small vertebrates these animals disturb. They are known for their migratory behavior, with some populations moving seasonally, while others disperse post-breeding.

At breeding colonies, the Cattle Egret emits a soft, guttural "rick-rack" call but is generally quiet outside this setting.

Breeding occurs in colonies, often near water and in the company of other wading birds. The nest is a platform of sticks in trees or shrubs. Both parents are involved in nest construction and incubation, which lasts about 23 days. Chicks are born with some down and are dependent on their parents for warmth and food.

The Cattle Egret can be confused with other white egrets, but its shorter neck, more robust build, and behavior around livestock help distinguish it.

The diet is varied, primarily consisting of insects like grasshoppers, crickets, and flies. They also consume spiders, frogs, small reptiles, and occasionally bird eggs and chicks. They are known to forage in fields, often near grazing animals, and have been observed following farm machinery to catch disturbed prey.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - HELMETED GUINEA FOWL (Numida meleagris)

The Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris, is a distinctive bird, easily recognized by its round body, small head, and striking plumage. Adults typically measure 53 to 58 cm in length and weigh around 1.3 kg. Their feathers are predominantly gray-black, speckled with white, providing them with a somewhat polka-dotted appearance.

One can identify the Helmeted Guineafowl by its bare head adorned with a bony knob, which can be dull yellow or reddish, and the surrounding skin may exhibit red, blue, or black colors. The wings and tail are short, contributing to a rather compact silhouette. Subspecies vary mainly in the size, shape, and color of the casque and facial wattles.

These birds favor warm, open environments with scattered shrubs and trees, such as savannas or farmlands, where they can forage and breed.

Native to Africa, mainly south of the Sahara, the Helmeted Guineafowl has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including the West Indies, North America, Colombia, Brazil, Australia, and Europe.

Helmeted Guineafowls are social creatures, forming flocks of about 25 individuals outside the breeding season. They are ground-dwelling birds, preferring to run rather than fly when threatened. Their flight is short and explosive, relying on gliding for longer distances. They are adept at running and can cover up to 10 km in a day. When alarmed, they emit loud, harsh calls.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

The Speckled Pigeon, known scientifically as Columba guinea, is a robust avian resident of Africa, south of the Sahara. This species is often seen in open habitats and is recognized by its rufous back and wings, which are adorned with a multitude of white speckles. The pigeon's head is a subtle grey, accented with striking red patches encircling the eyes, while the neck displays a brownish hue interlaced with white streaks. The legs of this bird are a vivid red, adding a dash of color to its otherwise muted blue-grey plumage. Both sexes appear similar, with the immature birds presenting a browner plumage and lacking the distinctive red eye patches.

When identifying the Speckled Pigeon, look for its large size, measuring at 41 cm in length. The white speckles on the rufous wings are a key feature, along with the red eye patches in adults. The bird's flight is characterized by quick, regular beats interspersed with occasional sharp flicks of the wings, typical of pigeons.

This pigeon favors open habitats and is commonly found in proximity to human settlements and cultivated lands.

The Speckled Pigeon boasts a widespread presence across much of Africa, though its distribution does exhibit significant gaps. It is a resident breeder in the region, ensuring its regular sighting throughout the year.

The Speckled Pigeon is a sociable bird, often gathering in large flocks where food sources such as grain or groundnuts are abundant. It has adapted well to human environments, frequently seen around habitation and cultivation.

The vocalization of the Speckled Pigeon is a resonant and unmistakable "doo-doo-doo," which can be heard echoing across its habitat.

Breeding pairs construct large stick nests on protected rocky outcrops, and within urban settings, they may nest atop covered pergola pillars or under deep eaves on flat roofs. The pigeon lays a clutch of two white eggs.

The diet of the Speckled Pigeon is primarily vegetable matter. It is known to feed in large numbers in areas where grains and groundnuts are readily available.

The Speckled Pigeon is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face any significant threats to its population at this time.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - BLUE AND YELLOW MACAW (Ara ararauna)

The blue-and-yellow macaw, also known as the blue-and-gold macaw, is a magnificent Neotropical parrot that captivates with its striking coloration. The dorsum is predominantly a vivid blue, while the venter boasts a light yellow or orange hue. A gradient of green adorns the top of its head, adding to its vibrant appearance. This species is one of the larger macaws, with a length of 76–86 cm (30–34 in) and a weight ranging from 0.9 to 1.5 kg (2–3 lb).

To identify the blue-and-yellow macaw, look for its bright aqua blue feathers on the upper body, contrasting with a deep yellow or light orange underside. The head is a distinctive lime color. The beak and feathers under the chin are black, while the feet are gray with black talons. A notable feature is the white skin on its face, which is sparsely feathered, creating a striped pattern around the eyes. The irises of this macaw are a pale light yellow.

These macaws inhabit a variety of environments, including forests (notably varzea), woodlands, and savannahs. They are also found in open sections of terra firme or unflooded forest and have adapted to urban areas where they nest in ornamental palms.

The blue-and-yellow macaw's range spans tropical Central and South America, including Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, Guyana, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay. It has a limited presence in Central America, restricted to Panama.

In the wild, blue-and-yellow macaws can live up to 30 to 35 years and reach sexual maturity between 3 and 6 years. They exhibit strong bonding behaviors and are known for their powerful beaks, which are used for breaking nutshells and climbing trees. These macaws are also adept at feeding on a variety of foods, including seeds, fruits, vegetable matter, bark, leaves, insects, snails, and small animals.

The blue-and-yellow macaw is known for its loud vocalizations, which include "flock calls" that are a natural part of their behavior.

These macaws are monogamous, generally mating for life. They prefer to nest in dead palms, particularly Mauritia flexuosa. The female lays two or three eggs and incubates them for about 28 days. Typically, only the dominant chick survives, with the others perishing in the nest. Fledging occurs approximately 97 days after hatching.

The diet of the blue-and-yellow macaw includes nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetable matter, bark, leaves, insects, snails, and small animals. They use their powerful beaks to break open nutshells and forage for food.

In captivity, these macaws require attention and can be quite vocal. They need ample space to fly and can live up to 60 years or more with proper care. Their behavior includes "screaming" for attention, loud vocalizations, and destructive chewing. They are known to blush and fluff their facial feathers when interacting with humans, possibly indicating their emotional state.

24-3-2018 WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN - HAUTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)

The Hartlaub's gull (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii), also colloquially known as the king gull, is a small, nimble seabird with a length of 36–38 cm. Its plumage is predominantly white, complemented by a grey back and upperwings. The wingtips are black, adorned with striking white "mirrors." A notable feature is its dark red bill and legs. During the breeding season, it sports a very faint lavender grey hood, while outside of this period, its head remains plain white. Both sexes exhibit similar markings. The Hartlaub's gull is distinguishable from the slightly larger grey-headed gull by its thinner, darker bill, deeper red legs, paler head, and dark eyes. It reaches full maturity in two years, and juveniles can be identified by a brown band across the wings, lacking a black terminal tail band and presenting less dark areas in the wings compared to their grey-headed counterparts.

When observing Hartlaub's gulls, look for the combination of their dark red bill and legs, the white "mirrors" on the black wingtips, and the faint grey hood during breeding season. Juveniles will have a brown band on the wings and darker legs, with a white head that distinguishes them from similar-aged grey-headed gulls.

Hartlaub's gull is a coastal species, favoring the shores and estuaries rather than the open ocean. It is not considered pelagic and is seldom seen far from land.

This gull is a non-migratory breeding resident endemic to the Atlantic coastline of South Africa and Namibia. A significant portion of its population, estimated at around 30,000 birds, resides within the Greater Cape Town area.

Hartlaub's gull is highly social and gregarious, especially in winter. It is known for its raucous, crow-like kaaarrh call, which can be quite loud, particularly in urban colonies. The species has adapted well to human presence and can become very tame around human habitations. Despite being relatively rare globally, it is common within its range and is often considered a nuisance in cities due to its fouling of buildings and noisy nature.

The Hartlaub's gull emits a distinctive and noisy kaaarrh call, which has been the subject of complaints in urban environments due to its volume and persistence.

Large colonies of Hartlaub's gulls can be found breeding on Robben Island, near Cape Town. Adults make considerable efforts to feed their chicks, flying to the mainland and back, a round trip of approximately 24 km.

An omnivorous bird, the Hartlaub's gull scavenges at waste tips and consumes scraps, in addition to seeking out small prey in shallow waters.

The Hartlaub's gull is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Despite its rarity on a global scale, it is common within its limited range and does not face immediate threats to its population.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - CAPE BULBUL (Pycnonotus capensis)

The Cape bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis, is a passerine bird of modest size, measuring 19–21 cm in length. It presents a predominantly dull, blackish-brown plumage, with a distinctive white eye-ring and vibrant yellow undertail coverts. A small crest adorns its head, and both the bill and the legs are a stark black, complementing the dark brown iris. The sexes are similar in plumage, making them indistinguishable in the field.

To identify the Cape bulbul, look for its darker plumage compared to other South African bulbuls. The white eye-ring is a key feature in adults, while juveniles can be recognized by their dark belly even before the eye-ring develops. The species' small crest and the contrast between the yellow undertail coverts and the dark body are also helpful markers.

The Cape bulbul is an endemic resident that favors coastal bush, open forest, gardens, and the unique fynbos vegetation of western and southern South Africa.

This bird is found exclusively in the aforementioned regions of South Africa, where it has adapted to a variety of local environments.

A common and conspicuous presence, the Cape bulbul is often observed perched atop bushes. It is an active and vocal species, typically encountered in pairs or small groups. These birds are known for their foraging habits, seeking out fruit, nectar, and insects to sustain themselves.

The most characteristic sound of the Cape bulbul is a melodious liquid whistle that varies in notes, often transcribed as "pit-peet-pitmajol" or "piet-piet-patata."

Breeding mainly occurs during the southern spring, from September to November. The Cape bulbul constructs a well-concealed, thick-walled cup nest within the foliage of a small tree or shrub.

The diet of the Cape bulbul consists of fruit, nectar, and insects, which it actively seeks out in its natural habitat.

In observing the Cape bulbul, one is treated to the delightful antics of a bird that is both a visual and auditory pleasure, a true gem of South Africa's avian community.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - KING PROTEA (Protea cynaroides)

Protea cynaroides, also called the king protea (from Afrikaans: koningsprotea, Xhosa: isiQwane sobukumkani, is a flowering plant. It is a distinctive member of Protea, having the largest flower head in the genus. The species is also known as giant protea, honeypot, or king sugar bush. It is widely distributed in the fynbos region of South Africa, that is, in the southwestern and southern parts of Western Cape. The king protea is the national flower of South Africa.

Protea cynaroides is adapted to survive wildfires by its thick underground stem, which contains many dormant buds; these will produce the new growth after the fire.

The flower has a long vase life in flower arrangements, and makes for an excellent dried flower.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - FLAME LILY (Gloriosa superba)

Gloriosa superba is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. Common names include flame lily, climbing lily, creeping lily, glory lily, gloriosa lily, tiger claw, and fire lily.

This herbaceous perennial grows from a fleshy rhizome. It is scandent, climbing using modified leaf-tip tendrils, the stem reaching 4 m (13 ft) long. The leaves are mainly alternately arranged, but they may be opposite, as well. They are somewhat lance-shaped and tipped with tendrils, and they are up 13 to 20 cm (5.1 to 7.9 in) long. The showy flower has six tepals each up to 5 to 7.6 cm (2.0 to 3.0 in) long. They are generally bright red to orange at maturity, sometimes with yellowish bases. The margins may be quite wavy. The six stamens also are long, up to 4 cm (1.6 in), and each bears a large anther at the tip that drops large amounts of yellow pollen.

The style may be more than 6 cm (2.4 in) long. One flower may weigh over 2.5 g (0.09 oz). The fruit is a fleshy capsule up to 6 to 12 cm (2.4 to 4.7 in) long containing red seeds. Cultivars of this popular garden plant may vary from these wild-type characteristics; the cultivar 'Lutea' has all-yellow tepals, 'Citrina' is yellow with red markings, and 'Nana' is a dwarf. Whitish forms are also known.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - IVY GERANIUM (Pelargonium peltatum)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72281-Pelargonium

Pelargonium peltatum is a scrambling perennial plant with five shallow or deeply lobed, circular- to heart-shaped, somewhat fleshy leaves, sometimes with a differently coloured semicircular band, that has been assigned to the cranesbill family. It carries umbel-like inflorescences with 2–10, white to mauve, bilateral symmetrical flowers, each with a "spur" that is merged with the flower stalk. It is known by several common names including ivy-leaved pelargonium and cascading geranium. It is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. In its home range, it flowers year round but most vigorously from August to October.

The ivy-leaved pelargonium is a perennial plant that scrambles over the surrounding vegetation and its somewhat succulent, slender and smooth, 3–10 mm (0.12–0.40 in) thick stems can grow to a length of about 2 m (7 ft).

The leaves are alternately arranged along the stem, but sometimes seem to be opposite. The leaves have broad oval to triangular stipules of about 7 mm (0.28 in) long and 4 mm (0.16 in) wide, a leaf stalk of ½–5½ cm (0.2–2.2 in) long, and a hairy or hairless, green to greyish green, sometimes with a differently colored semicircular band, more of less fleshy, circular to heart-shaped in outline, on average 3 cm (1.2 in) long and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide (full range 1–6¾ cm × 1¾–8¾ cm). The leaf blade has five shallow or deeper sharp or blunt tipped lobes that spread radially from a point with an entire margin.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - AGAPANTHUS (Genus Agapanthus)

Agapanthus is a genus of herbaceous perennials that mostly bloom in summer. This leads to the Australian common name, Star of Bethlehem, as it blooms just before Christmas. The leaves are basal, curved, and linear, growing up to 60 cm (24 in) long. They are rather leathery and arranged in two opposite rows. The plant has a mostly underground stem called a rhizome (like a ginger 'root') that is used as a storage organ. The roots, which grow out of the rhizome, are white, thick and fleshy.

The inflorescence is a pseudo-umbel subtended by two large deciduous bracts at the apex of a long, erect scape, up to 2 m (6.6 ft) tall. They have funnel-shaped or tubular flowers, in hues of blue to purple, shading to white. Some hybrids and cultivars have colors not found in wild plants which includes bi-colored blue/lavender and white flowers flushed with pink as the blooms mature. The ovary is superior. The style is hollow. Agapanthus does not have the distinctive chemistry of Allioideae.

21-6-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea mustelata)

Idaea mustelata is a small moth with a wingspan ranging from 12 to 16 millimeters. The forewings are mostly whitish on the upper side, although they have a well-defined dark brown region on the basal half of the costa that extends slightly into the interior of the wing. The spot extends over the cell, including the black spot on the cell, and in that area, extends further into the wing, ending in a pointed shape near the inner margin. The rest of the wing features grayish wavy lines near the margin, where small, aligned black dots appear. The hindwings have a whitish upper side except for a dark midwing dot and numerous wavy, light brown or grayish masses.

Idaea mustelata is a species exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula and the western half of the Maghreb (Morocco and western Algeria) that has recently been recorded from several regions in southern France. Widely distributed throughout Spain, it is present in regions as diverse as the Pyrenees, Cádiz, Galicia, and Almería; it is also widespread in the Community of Madrid, and is common in the Southeast Regional Park. 

Idaea mustelata is a moth of the family Geometridae. In Europe it is only found on the Iberian Peninsula. It is also found in North Africa, from Morocco up to Western Algeria. It was considered a subspecies of Idaea rusticata up to 2004 when it was re-instated at species level by Axel Hausmann.

The wingspan is 12–16 mm. The moth flies from July to August depending on the location.

 What is its habitat? This nocturnal moth, from the Geometridae family, can be found in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from clearings in deciduous forests, near riverine coppices, meadows, grasslands, orchards, cultivated fields, and fallow land, to uncultivated ruderal areas near buildings in towns and cities. As for its location, it also appears in areas as diverse as the high-altitude Pyrenean valleys, and at sea level in the provinces of Andalusia.

20-6-2018 ALCOY, VALENCIA - DARKLING BEETLE (Genus Pimelia)

Pimelia is a genus of darkling beetles in the subfamily Pimeliinae.

Pimelia are univoltine, with one generation per year. Species in North Africa emerge in January to begin mating, synchronously with floral bloom. Normally Pimelia are detrivores, but during mating season they may cannibalize other adults, larvae, and eggs. This behavior may be due to need for extra nutrients or simply to eliminate competitors.

Following behavior  and mating take place on the slip face of a sand dune. After mating, the female digs a shallow hole and deposits a single egg, which closely resembles a grain of white rice. As the temperature rises above 50 °C the adult population dies off. Immature stages remain below the surface until maturity. During the winter the adults emerge.

20-6-2018 ALCOY, VALENCIA - THISTLE (Carduus nigrescens ssp. assoi)

Familia: Compositae

Nombre científico: Carduus nigrescens subsp. assoi

Nombre común: Cardo

Rango altitudinal: 240 a 1880 mts.

Época floración: Abril-Julio

Altura: 30 a 100 cm.

Hábitat: Ruderal, crece en suelos removidos y nitrogenados, cunetas, baldíos, cercanías de pueblos, barbechos, majadas o reposaderos de ganado, indiferente al sustrato.

Endémica de la Península Ibérica.

20-6-2018 ALCOY, VALENCIA - EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus)

The Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large Old World vulture in the bird of prey family Accipitridae. It may also be known as the Griffon vulture, though it may be used for the genus as a whole. It is not to be confused with the Rüppell's griffon vulture (Gyps rueppellii) and Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis). It is closely related to the white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus).

The griffon vulture is 93–122 cm (37–48 in) long with a 2.3–2.8 m (7.5–9.2 ft) wingspan. In the nominate race the males weigh 6.2 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb) and females typically weigh 6.5 to 10.5 kg (14 to 23 lb), while in the Indian subspecies (G. f. fulvescens), the vultures average 7.1 kg (16 lb). Extreme adult weights have been reported from 4.5 to 15 kg (9.9 to 33.1 lb), the latter likely a weight attained in captivity. Hatched naked, it is a typical Old World vulture in appearance, with a very white head, very broad wings and short tail feathers. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers.

Spain has the biggest colony of Griffon vultures in all Europe. It is located at Hoces del Río Duratón Natural Park (Province of Segovia).

The Pyrenees population has apparently been affected by an EC ruling that due to danger of BSE transmission, no carcasses must be left on the fields for the time being. This has critically lowered food availability, and consequently, carrying capacity. Although the griffon vulture does not normally attack larger living prey, there are reports of Spanish griffon vultures killing weak, young or unhealthy living animals as they do not find enough carrion to eat. In May 2013, a 52-year-old woman who was hiking in the Pyrenees and had fallen off a cliff to her death was eaten by griffon vultures before rescue workers were able to recover her body, leaving only her clothes and a few of her bones. Due to her being the first human to be documented being eaten by griffon vultures, the story brought worldwide attention to the griffon vulture problems in Southern Europe.

The Eurasian griffon vulture, Gyps fulvus, is a majestic bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is a large Old World vulture, known for its impressive wingspan ranging from 2.3 to 2.8 meters. The males of the nominate race weigh between 6.2 and 10.5 kilograms, while females are approximately the same weight. The Indian subspecies, G. f. fulvescens, averages around 7.1 kilograms. These vultures are characterized by their white head, broad wings, and short tail feathers, with a distinctive white neck ruff and a yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts provide a stark contrast to their darker flight feathers.

When identifying the Eurasian griffon vulture, look for its large size, broad wings, and short tail. The white head and neck ruff, along with the yellow bill, are key features. In flight, the contrast between the buff-colored body and the dark flight feathers is quite noticeable.

These vultures are typically found in mountainous regions where they breed on crags and cliffs. They are also known to inhabit open areas where they can soar in search of carrion.

20-6-2018 ALCOY, VALENCIA - IBERIAN SCARCE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Iphiclides feisthamelii)

Iphiclides feisthamelii, the southern scarce swallowtail, southern swallowtail or Iberian scarce swallowtail, is a butterfly found in Italy, Slovenia, southern France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of I. podalirius.

The larva feeds on Prunus amygdalus (almond), P. persica (peach), P. insititia (a kind of plum), P. longipes, Pyrus communis (common pear), Malus domesticus (apple) and Crataegus oxyacantha.

This is a most majestic butterfly, huge and floating effortlessly. It is not, as its English name implies, scarce, and in my experience it is much more common than the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). I believe the English name originates from the early English lepidopterists and refers to its scarcity as a rare vagrant to the UK in the 1800s or thereabouts.

The previously-considered subspecies feisthamelii (English name: Iberian Scarce Swallowtail or Spanish Swallowtail) is now classified as a separate species. It is principally an Iberian species with distribution "spilling" into the eastern Pyrénées of France (http://diatheo.weebly.com/iphiclides-feisthamelii.html). It differs from podalirius in that it is noticeably paler, white in the male, and pale yellow in the female.

Iphiclides feisthamelii, commonly known as Feisthamel's Swallowtail, is a striking species of butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. This species is primarily found in parts of southern Europe, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean Basin, and can also be observed in areas of North Africa and the Middle East.

Feisthamel's Swallowtail is characterized by its large size and distinctive coloration. The wings exhibit a combination of yellow and black patterns, with the forewings showing prominent black stripes. The hindwings have tails, typical of swallowtail butterflies, which are elongated extensions. Beneath, the wings are more muted in color, often exhibiting shades of brown or tan with eye spots that serve as a form of camouflage against predators.

The flight of Iphiclides feisthamelii is graceful and powerful, often seen fluttering around open grasslands, meadows, and forest clearings. They are known to be quite territorial and can often be spotted basking on hot surfaces.

Feisthamel's Swallowtail prefers habitats that include sunny open areas, such as meadows, fields, and wooded borders. They are often found near their host plants, which are typically members of the family Rutaceae, particularly species like citrus trees.

The life cycle of Iphiclides feisthamelii follows the typical Lepidoptera pattern of egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. Adults emerge in spring and can be seen fluttering around during summer. The larvae are known to be green or brown and often mimic the appearance of twigs or leaves for camouflage.

The conservation status of Iphiclides feisthamelii has been a subject of interest due to habitat destruction and climate change. While not currently considered endangered, localized populations may face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.

For those interested in observing Feisthamel's Swallowtail, early summer is an ideal time, as they are most active during this period. Look for them in open, sunlit areas where their host plants grow. The best opportunities for viewing them are on warm, sunny days when they are more likely to be patrolling their territory or searching for nectar from flowers.

In summary, Iphiclides feisthamelii is a fascinating butterfly known for its beauty and distinct characteristics. As with many butterfly species, conservation efforts are important to ensure that their natural habitats remain preserved for future generations.

20-6-2018 ALCOY, VALENCIA - CARDINAL BUTTERFLY (Argynnis pandora)

Argynnis pandora, the cardinal, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is common throughout southern Europe and is also found in northern Africa and the Middle east and then east across the Palearctic to the Tian-Shan andnorthwestern India.

The butterfly flies from April to September (in Europe typically May to August) depending on the location. In Switzerland, the species is found at altitudes of up to 2600 meters. Among other habitats, it favours deciduous and open pine forests, in which there is a large supply of nectar-rich plants from the genera Cirsium , Carduus or Centaurea.

The wingspan is 64–80 mm. A. pandora Schiff. (= cinara F., maja Cr.) (71c). The largest European Argynnis. Above stronglyre calling valesina, but brighter greenish, densely spotted with black. Beneath quite different, the apex of the forewing and the hindwing bright green, the disc of the forewing fleshy red and spotted with deep black, the hindwing with a few narrow bands, which are more white than silvery and vary strongly in number and development.In ab. dacica Horinuz., a kind of valesina-form from Roumania, the basal area of both wings darkened, contrasting with the distal area, which is slightly paler than usual. — pasargades Fruhst.[now subspeciesA. p. pasargades], from the Alexander Mts., has the whole upperside pale, especially the forewing, which has hardly a trace of green, being also paler yellow beneath, with the black markings reduced. — seitzi Fruhst.[now subspecies A. p. seitzi Fruhstorfer, 1908] (71c) has been described fromspecimens found by me [Stichel] in the Aures Mts. in Algeria.

Larger than European individuals, paler green beneath, darker greenish yellow above; the black markings more prominent and abundant, often confluent. — paupercula' Ragusa has no silvery white bands and spots; especially in the southern districts, where it is locally the prevalent form, for instance in Algeria. — Larva purplish brown, with black head, without the yellow dorsal stripe of paphia, otherwise similar to the latter, but the spines shorter; on the back of each segment a velvety black spot with 2 white dashes; until June on Viola. The species occurs particularly in the Mediterranean countries, being found in North Africa, the Canaries, Spain, South France northward to the Valais, where it approaches the German frontier, also in Italy, the south of Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Asia Minor, going eastward to the Tian-shan; plentiful in some places. The butterflies are on the wing from June onwards; their flight is fast and graceful, rushing or swimming, and they usually settle on those branches of trees which hang over the road, or on thistle-heads. 

The butterfly flies from April to September (in Europe typically May to August) depending on the location. In Switzerland, the species is found at altitudes of up to 2600 meters. Among other habitats, it favours deciduous and open pine forests, in which there is a large supply of nectar-rich plants from the genera Cirsium , Carduus or Centaurea.

The larvae feed on Viola species.

Named in the Classical tradition, Pandora - "endowed with all gifts" - is a woman created by Hephaestus from clay. Despite the ban, she opened Pandora's box, from which disasters spread, from which humanity still suffers. Only Hope remained at the bottom of the vessel.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - TREASURE FLOWER (Genus Gazania)

Gazania /ɡəˈzeɪniə/ is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Southern Africa.

They produce large, daisy-like composite flowerheads in brilliant shades of yellow and orange, over a long period in summer. They are often planted as drought-tolerant groundcover.

The genus was first formally described by German botanist Joseph Gaertner in the second volume of his major work De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum in 1791. Gaertner named the genus after Theodorus Gaza, a 15th-century translator of the works of Theophrastus.

Gazania is a member of the tribe Arctotideae and the subtribe Gorteriinae. Within the subtribe it is close to Hirpicium and Gorteria. Many of the species of Gazania are hard to distinguish and the number of species assigned to the genus has varied widely from one author to another.

In 1959, Helmut Roessler published what he considered to be a preliminary revision of Gazania. At that time, he recognized 16 species. Roessler published some amendments to his treatment in 1973.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - TREASURE FLOWER (Genus Gazania)

Gazania /ɡəˈzeɪniə/ is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Southern Africa.

They produce large, daisy-like composite flowerheads in brilliant shades of yellow and orange, over a long period in summer. They are often planted as drought-tolerant groundcover.

The genus was first formally described by German botanist Joseph Gaertner in the second volume of his major work De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum in 1791. Gaertner named the genus after Theodorus Gaza, a 15th-century translator of the works of Theophrastus.

Gazania is a member of the tribe Arctotideae and the subtribe Gorteriinae. Within the subtribe it is close to Hirpicium and Gorteria. Many of the species of Gazania are hard to distinguish and the number of species assigned to the genus has varied widely from one author to another.

In 1959, Helmut Roessler published what he considered to be a preliminary revision of Gazania. At that time, he recognized 16 species. Roessler published some amendments to his treatment in 1973.

In 2009, a phylogeny of the genus was published. It was based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences. In this study, all of Roessler's species except Gazania othonnites were sampled. The authors found that eight species were not really separate, but formed a species complex. The seven species found to be distinct were G. jurineifolia, G. caespitosa, G. ciliaris, G. tenuifolia, G. heterochaeta, G. schenckii, and G. lichtensteinii.

The genus occurs from low-altitude sands to alpine meadows in South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Angola. Additionally, species are naturalised and declared weed in South Australia, New Zealand, the Mediterranean, and California.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - BELLADONNA LILY (Amaryllis belladonna)

Amaryllis belladonna, the Jersey lily, belladonna-lily, naked-lady-lily, or March lily, is a plant species native to Cape Province in South Africa but widely cultivated as an ornamental. It is reportedly naturalized in many places: Corsica, Portugal, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Scilly Isles of Great Britain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ascension Island, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Chile, California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Indiana and the Juan Fernández Islands.

Perennial bulbous geophyte with one to two erect solid stems which appear in late summer. The inflorescence bears 2–12 showy fragrant funnel-shaped flowers on a 'naked' (leafless) stem, which gives it the common name of naked-lady-lily. The pink flowers which may be up to 10cm in length, appear in the autumn before the leaves (hysteranthy) which are narrow and strap shaped.

Amaryllis belladonna is one of the two species in the genus Amaryllis as currently circumscribed.

The specific epithet belladonna is derived from the Italian bella donna, which means beautiful lady.

Amaryllis belladonna is found in South Africa, where the plants are found growing among rocks.