4-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - WHITE FRONTED PARROT (Amazona albifrons)

The white-fronted amazon (Amazona albifrons) also known as the white-fronted parrot, or spectacled amazon parrot, is a Central American species of parrot. They can imitate a range from 30 to 40 different sounds. Like other large parrots, the white-fronted parrot has a long potential life span, usually around 40 years.

The white-fronted amazon, at about 25 cm (9.8 in) long, is the smallest of the amazon parrots. This species is named for the bright white patch of feathers on its forehead, although the amount of white varies from individual to individual. They have mostly green plumage with some blue colouring on their outspread wings. They have bright red colouring around their eyes (in some individuals almost like spectacles) and blue colouring behind the patch of white on their foreheads. Together with the red-spectacled amazon and the yellow-lored amazon, it is the only amazon species in which adult males and females easily can be distinguished by external appearance (sexual dimorphism): Males have bright red feathers on their "shoulders" (alula), while females have green "shoulders". Juveniles have pale grey irises and less red on their face and the white area is replaced with a smaller yellowish area.

4-12-2015 JURONG, SINGAPORE - LILAC CROWNED PARROT (Amazona finschi)

The lilac-crowned amazon (Amazona finschi), also known as lilac-crowned parrot, Finsch's parrot or Finsch's amazon, is a parrot endemic to the Pacific slopes of Mexico. Also known as Finsch's amazon, it is characterised by green plumage, a maroon forehead, and a violet-blue crown and neck.

The binomial of this bird commemorates the German naturalist and explorer Otto Finsch.

In 2006, BirdLife International classified this species as vulnerable. In 2014, IUCN uplisted this species to Endangered.

The lilac-crowned amazon's endemic range spans along the pacific coast of Mexico, beginning in southeastern Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua down to southern Oaxaca. In Sinaloa and northern Nayarit the geographic range of the lilac-crowned parrot is above 375 meters of elevation and does not reach sea level until southern Nayarit, where it remains so through Jalisco and Oaxaca.

The lilac-crowned amazon's natural habitat in Mexico is often threatened. The decline in population size has been recorded in almost all of its natural habitat locations. Based on a collection of data and resident accounts, Amazona finschi population range has decreased by 20% due to habitat loss.

An increasingly growing population of approximately 100 individuals is found in Southern California, especially in the San Gabriel Valley and Orange Country. This increase could also be attributed to a more reliable source of measurement of population than in past years. These populations often are found in residential areas and occasionally in nesting groups with red-crowned parrots in native conifer forests or non-native captive plants.

4-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - ARABIAN PEA (Bituminaria bituminosa)

Bituminaria bituminosa, the Arabian pea or pitch trefoil, is a perennial Mediterranean herb species in the genus Bituminaria.

The pterocarpans bitucarpin A and B can be isolated from the aerial parts of B. bituminosa.

It has several potential uses: (i) forage crop, (ii) Phytostabilization of heavy metal contaminated or degraded soils, (iii) Synthesis of furanocoumarins (psoralen, angelicin, xanthotoxin and bergapten), compounds of broad pharmaceutical interest.

It is easily recognizable by the characteristic smell of bitumen from its leaves. This strong tar-like characteristic aroma appears to be the result of a combination of several substances such as phenolics, sulphurated compounds, sesquiterpenes and probably short-chain hydrocarbon. Total polyphenols content was < 2% and the condensed tannins was <0.8% in a dry weight basis.

4-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint. Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

Lifespan around 4–5 years. Sexual maturity is reached in their second year. Breeding takes place in spring after they wake from winter hibernation. 1-5 eggs are laid, each around 5x9mm, in cracks in rocks or under stones. During development the eggs swell and after 8 weeks when ready to hatch they can be 8x15mm in size. They hatch out around early July.

They are found in the north-east of the Iberian peninsula, including southern France in parts of the Pyrenees. They are not found above 3400m elevation.

With a lifespan of about 5 years they are an adaptable wall climbing species which can be found in a large number of habitats and frequently around houses and other buildings. Although being a Mediterranean species, they are able to inhabit mountain habitats with cold winters up to 2000 m altitude (Pyrenees, Sistema Ibérico, Sistema Bético).

The Catalonian Wall Lizard is a quite adaptable, well climbing species which can be found in various habitats and even frequently within human settlements. Although being a (sub-)Mediterranean species, it is able to inhabit mountain habitats with cold winters up to 2000 m altitude (Pyrenees, Sistema Ibérico, Sistema Bético).

Being such a "generalist", its distribution ranges from the French Rhône-Valley in the north to the Spanish Sierra Nevada in the south. It shows a great variability which has led to the description of several subspecies:

Podarcis liolepis cebennensis has been described for southern France. But geographic delimination towards the nominate subspecies is doubtful.

The Spanish Columbretes Archipelago is populated by the dark blotched subspecies atratus. However, this might be just an insular morph of the nominate subspecies.

Subspecies sebastiani has been described for the Basque Country area. Presumably, this may be just an ecotype of the nominate subspecies.

In the south of the range, additional - so far undescribed - colour morphs occur (see below).

With regard to this, some intra-specific taxonomic revision might be required.

Distribution of Podarcis liolepis with its currently recognized subspecies. For an overview of all Iberian Podarcis species see map at Podarcis hispanicus.

In north of the range, Podarcis liolepis has contact zones with Podarcis guadarramae. This species lacks of blue outer ventral scales which frequently occur in males of Podarcis liolepis. Podarcis liolepis may also co-occur with Podarcis muralis (e.g. Penyagolosa, E / Castellón) but it is smaller, more slender und usually shows a lighter colouration than the latter one.

4-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Idaea eugeniata)

Idaea eugeniata is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in Italy, France, Andorra, Spain, Portugal[1] and North Africa.

The wingspan is 21–22 mm for males and 24–25 mm for females.

The larvae are polyphagous and have been recorded feeding on various herbaceous plants.

Subspecies

Idaea eugeniata eugeniata

Idaea eugeniata algeriaca (Culot, 1917)

4-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - COQUI FRANCOLIN (Peliperdix coqui)

The Coqui francolin, known scientifically as Campocolinus coqui, is a bird that belongs to the Phasianidae family. This species exhibits a striking appearance, with the adult male of the "Pale-bellied francolin" subspecies, P. c. hubbardi, showcasing its plumage in the Maasai Mara.

When attempting to identify the Coqui francolin, one should look for the characteristic features of the species, which include the coloration and patterns of the plumage. The males and females of the nominate race can be observed in eastern Botswana and Limpopo, respectively, providing opportunities to study their distinct markings.

The Coqui francolin is an adaptable bird, favoring a variety of environments. It thrives in grasslands, steppes, savannas, and dry scrublands, but is also comfortable in bright forests and grain fields. This bird is known to inhabit high plateaus, where it can be found at elevations of up to 2,000 meters.

This francolin has a broad range across Africa's southern half, with a presence in the western Sahel and Ethiopia. It holds the distinction of being the most widespread francolin on the African continent.

The Coqui francolin is predominantly a resident bird, meaning it does not typically migrate and is often found within the same geographical area throughout the year.

The IUCN Red List has classified the Coqui francolin as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face any significant threats to its survival.

4-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - YELLOW BILLED KITE (Milvus migrans ssp. parasitus)

The Yellow-billed Kite, Milvus aegyptius, is a bird of prey that is part of the Accipitridae family. It is distinguished by its entirely yellow bill, a feature that sets it apart from its close relative, the Black Kite. The adult Yellow-billed Kite is a sight to behold with its striking bill, while the juveniles bear a closer resemblance to the Black Kites of similar age.

To identify the Yellow-billed Kite, look for the characteristic yellow bill which is a key distinguishing feature. Adults have this prominent yellow bill, while the juveniles may require a more practiced eye as they look similar to the Black Kite juveniles.

The Yellow-billed Kite is a versatile species, found in a variety of habitats. These range from the green expanses of parks within suburban areas to the more natural settings, although they are seldom seen in the arid regions of the Namib and Karoo.

There are two subspecies of the Yellow-billed Kite. M. a. parasitus is found throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar, but avoids the Congo Basin. M. a. aegyptius resides in Egypt, southwest Arabia, and the Horn of Africa, migrating south during the non-breeding season.

The Yellow-billed Kite is primarily an intra-African breeding migrant, present in Southern Africa from July to March, and occasionally until May. It is a common species, often seen gracefully soaring in the skies or scavenging for food.

4-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)

The collared sunbird (Hedydipna collaris) is a bird species of the family Nectariniidae. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. The collared sunbird is in fact mainly insectivorous.

Sunbird flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed most of the time.

The collared sunbird is a common breeder across most of sub-Saharan Africa. Two or three eggs are laid in a suspended nest in a tree. It is a seasonal bird migrant within its range.

Collared sunbirds are tiny, only 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in) long. They have short thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations to nectar feeding.

The adult male has glossy green upperparts and head with a yellow belly and narrow purple breast band. The female is a duller green above and entirely yellow below.

This species inhabits forests near water.

20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - GIRAFFE (Giraffa giraffa ssp. giraffa)

The South African giraffe or Cape giraffe (Giraffa giraffa or Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) is a species or subspecies of giraffe found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique. It has rounded or blotched spots, some with star-like extensions on a light tan background, running down to the hooves.

In 2016, the population was estimated at 31,500 individuals in the wild.

The IUCN currently recognizes only one species of giraffe with nine subspecies. The Cape giraffe, along with the whole species, were first known by the binomen Camelopardalis giraffa as described by German naturalist Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber in his publication Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen (The Mammals Illustrated from Nature with Descriptions) during his travel in the Cape of Good Hope in 1784. Dutch naturalist Pieter Boddaert also described it under the binomial name Giraffa giraffa whilst also identifying the nominate specimen of said species under the ternary name Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa in 1785.

The South African giraffe has dark, somewhat rounded patches "with some fine projections" on a tawny background colour. The spots extend down the legs and get smaller. The median lump of males is less developed.

The South African giraffe is found in northern South Africa, southern Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, and south-western Mozambique. After local extinctions in various places, South African giraffes have been reintroduced in many parts of Southern Africa, including in Eswatini. They are common in both in and outside of protected areas. South African giraffes usually live in savannahs and woodlands where food plants are available. Giraffes are herbivorous. They feed on leaves, flowers, fruits and shoots of woody plants such as Acacia.

South African giraffes live in a fission–fusion society system based on factors such as sex, age, season, and kinship. This allows them to adapt to environmental changes.

At present[when?], the South African giraffe population is estimated at 37,000 individuals, showing an increase of over 150% over the past three decades. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the body that administers the world's official endangered species list, announced in 2016 that it was moving the giraffe from a species of Least Concern to Vulnerable status in its Red List of Threatened Species report. That means the animal faces extinction in the wild in the medium-term future if nothing is done to minimize the threats to its life or habitat.

South African giraffes are uncommon in captivity. As of 2010, there are around 45 South African giraffes breeding in zoos. Approximately 12,000 privately owned farms, ranches, and national parks maintain populations of this giraffe.

20-4-2018 OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA - AFRICAN LEOPARD (FEMALE) (Panthera pardus pardus)

The African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus) is the nominate subspecies of the leopard, native to many countries in Africa. It is widely distributed in most of sub-Saharan Africa, but the historical range has been fragmented in the course of habitat conversion. Leopards have also been recorded in North Africa as well.

The African leopard exhibits great variation in coat color, depending on location and habitat. Coat colour varies from pale yellow to deep gold or tawny, and sometimes black, and is patterned with black rosettes while the head, lower limbs and belly are spotted with solid black. Male leopards are larger, averaging 58 kg (128 lb) with 90 kg (200 lb) being the maximum weight attained by a male. Females weigh about 37.5 kg (83 lb) on average.

The African leopard is sexually dimorphic; males are larger and heavier than females. Between 1996 and 2000, 11 adult leopards were radio-collared on Namibian farmlands. Males weighed 37.5 to 52.3 kg (83 to 115 lb) only, and females 24 to 33.5 kg (53 to 74 lb). The heaviest known leopard weighed about 96 kg (212 lb), and was recorded in South West Africa.

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - JERUSALEM SAGE (Phlomis fruticosa)

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - BERGERS CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Colias alfacariensis)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/344763-Colias-alfacariensis

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - WHITE ASPHODEL (Asphodelus albus )

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - PERENNIAL FLAX (Linum perenne)

Linum perenne, the perennial flax, blue flax or lint, is a flowering plant in the family Linaceae, native to Europe, primarily in the Alps and locally in England. It has been introduced into North America, where it can be found on mountain ridges, wooded areas, and in sandy plain habitats of the sagebrush steppe, growing near sagebrush and rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus).

It is a slender herbaceous perennial plant growing to 90 centimetres (3 ft) tall from a fairly woody root crown, with tough, unbranched stems, and many spirally arranged narrow lanceolate leaves 1–2.5 cm long. The flowers are blue, 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in diameter, and have five petals. The flowers will fall off if the stems are broken.

The English populations are sometimes distinguished as Linum perenne subsp. anglicum and high altitude populations in the Alps as Linum perenne subsp. alpinum. The similar western North American species Linum lewisii is sometimes treated as a subspecies of L. perenne.

Native Americans used the stems to make fishing line and nets.

2-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - PORTLAND RIBBON WAVE MOTH (Idaea degeneraria)

2-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

This species is resident throughout its range, which extends from the Iberian Peninsula to the Amur Valley, and from Scandinavia to the Middle East. It is generally non-migratory, except in harsh winters when it may move to more temperate areas.

Great tits are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors and can solve problems with insight learning. They are also cavity nesters and are monogamous, with both parents involved in raising the chicks.

The great tit has a repertoire of up to 40 calls and songs, with the male being particularly vocal. A common call resembles the phrase "teacher, teacher," which is used to proclaim territory.

Breeding occurs once a year, with the female laying up to 12 eggs in a cavity nest. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both parents feed the chicks. In most years, the pair will raise two broods.

In summer, the diet is predominantly insectivorous, while in winter, it expands to include seeds and berries. Great tits are adept at handling large food items and are known to visit bird feeders in urban areas.

4-4-2018 PHINDA GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - WHITE EARED BARBET (Stactolaema leucotis)

The White-eared Barbet, known scientifically as Stactolaema leucotis, is a charming bird belonging to the Lybiidae family, which encompasses the African barbets. This species is adorned with a distinctive white ear patch that contrasts with its predominantly green plumage.

When observing the White-eared Barbet, look for its striking white ear coverts and the greenish hue of its body. The bird's appearance is further accentuated by a robust bill typical of barbets, which is well-suited for its fruit-eating habits.

The White-eared Barbet is known to inhabit a variety of woodland and forest habitats. It is often found in regions where fruiting trees are abundant, providing ample food sources for this species.

This species graces the landscapes of several African countries, including Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Its presence across these regions is a testament to its adaptability to different environments within the continent.

Observations of the White-eared Barbet reveal a bird that is partial to fruit, often seen indulging in this natural bounty. Its behavior is typical of barbets, engaging in activities that revolve around its diet and habitat.

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - BEARDED SCRUB ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)

The bearded scrub robin, scientifically known as Cercotrichas quadrivirgata, is a modestly sized bird, with a length of 15–17 cm and a weight of approximately 20–31 g. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though the female is marginally smaller. The species is adorned with a dark olive-brown crown and upperparts, while the tail is a darker brown with white-tipped outer feathers. The wing coverts are a subtle grey-brown with olive-brown edges, and the flight feathers are dark brown with a distinctive white patch.

Upon closer inspection, one can observe the bearded scrub robin's facial features, which include a white supercilium, a white crescent below the eye, a white moustachial line, and a striking black malar stripe. Above the supercilia, black lines are also present. The eyes are a deep brown, and the lores are black. The throat and upper breast are white, transitioning to a rufous-brown to rufous color on the breast and neck-sides, with the belly and undertail coverts returning to white. The beak is black, and the legs are a pinkish-brown hue.

The bearded scrub robin is typically found in sand forests, riverine woodlands, scrubs, and evergreen forests. Occasionally, it may venture into gardens and reedbeds, though it generally avoids damp areas.

This species graces the landscapes of eastern and southern Africa, with sightings in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its distribution spans an impressive 5,390,000 km².

The bearded scrub robin is typically found in sand forests, riverine woodlands, scrubs, and evergreen forests. Occasionally, it may venture into gardens and reedbeds, though it generally avoids damp areas.

This species graces the landscapes of eastern and southern Africa, with sightings in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its distribution spans an impressive 5,390,000 km².

The bearded scrub robin is often seen in pairs or small groups. It is a territorial bird, with territories reaching up to 1 hectare. The bird's calls are varied, including a 'chuck', 'chrrrt', and a 'seeeep', while its song is a melodious series of whistles that may incorporate mimicry of other bird species. It forages on the ground, primarily consuming ants, termites, beetles, and other insects, and is also known to partake in sandbathing.

The bearded scrub robin's vocal repertoire includes a 'chuck', 'chrrrt', 'chek-chek-kwezzzzzzz', and a 'seeeep'. Its song is a series of melodious whistles, which may include mimicked calls from other bird species.

The mating system of the bearded scrub robin is monogamous. Breeding seasons vary by region, occurring from December to February in eastern Africa, September to January in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and September to December in South Africa. The nest is constructed from plant material, lichen, and hair, and typically contains two to three eggs, which may be white, pale green, or bluish with many spots. The female is responsible for incubating the eggs.

The diet of the bearded scrub robin consists mainly of ants, termites, beetles, and other insects. It forages on the ground and is also known to engage in sandbathing.

The bearded scrub robin is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The population size is not precisely known, but the species benefits from a large range and appears to have a stable population trend without facing significant threats.

7-4-2018 THORNYBUSH LODGE, SOUTH AFRICA - BLACK BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)

The black-backed puffback (Dryoscopus cubla) is a species of passerine bird in the family Malaconotidae. They are common to fairly common sedentary bushshrikes in various wooded habitats in Africa south of the equator. They restlessly move about singly, in pairs or family groups, and generally frequent tree canopies. Like others of its genus, the males puff out the loose rump and lower back feathers in display, to assume a remarkable ball-like appearance. They draw attention to themselves by their varied repertoire of whistling, clicking and rasping sounds. Their specific name cubla, originated with Francois Levaillant, who derived it from a native southern African name, where the "c" is an onomatopoeic click sound. None of the other five puffback species occur in southern Africa.

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - VIPERS BUGLOSS (Echium vulgare)

Echium vulgare, known as viper's bugloss and blueweed, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family Boraginaceae. It is native to most of Europe and western and central Asia and it occurs as an introduced species in north-eastern North America, south-western South America and the South and North Island of New Zealand. If eaten, the plant is toxic to horses and cattle through the accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the liver.

The plant root was used in ancient times as a treatment for snake or viper bites. According to the Doctrine of signatures, plants were thought to have traits (in this case a speckled stem reminiscent of snake skin, and flowers like an open viper's mouth) that mirror the ailment they treat.

It is a biennial or monocarpic perennial plant growing to 30–80 cm (12–31 in) tall, with rough, hairy, oblanceolate leaves. The stems, which are red-flecked, resemble snake's skin and even the fruits are shaped like adders' heads. The flowers start pink and turn vivid blue, and are 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) in a branched spike, with all the stamens protruding. The pollen is blue[13] but the filaments of the stamens remain red, contrasting against the blue flowers. It flowers between May and September in the Northern Hemisphere. The Latin specific epithet vulgare means common.

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - BORAGE (Borago officinalis)

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - BROAD LEAVED SWEET PEA (Lathyrus latifolius)

Lathyrus latifolius, the perennial peavine, perennial pea, broad-leaved everlasting-pea, or just everlasting pea, is a robust, sprawling herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae. It is native to Europe but is present on other continents, such as North America and Australia, where it is most often seen along roadsides.

Lathyrus latifolius has winged hairless stems, and alternating blue green compound leaves consisting of a single pair of leaflets and a winged petiole about 2 inches (51 mm) long. The leaflets are narrowly ovate or oblong-ovate, smooth along the margins, hairless and up to 3 in (76 mm) long and 1 in (25 mm) across. There is a branched tendril between the leaflets.

Short racemes of 4–11 flowers are produced from the axils of the leaves. The flowers, which are unscented, are about 3⁄4–1 in (19–25 mm) across with a typical structure for Faboideae, with an upper standard and lower keel, enclosed by lateral petals. There are 5 petals, which are purplish pink, fading with age. There is a green calyx with 5 teeth, often unequal. The blooming period lasts about 2 months during the summer and early autumn.

The flowers are followed by hairless flattened seedpods, about 2 in (51 mm) long and 1⁄2 in (13 mm) wide, with several seeds inside. The seedpod, which is initially green, gradually turns brown, splitting open into curled segments, flinging out the seeds. The seeds are dark and oblong to reniform in shape.

Lathyrus latifolius can reproduce vegetatively from its taproot and rhizomes, or by reseeding.

1-5-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

1-5-2019 CREU DE LONGA, VALENCIA - LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius)

29-4-2019 CASTELL DE CASTELLS, ALICANTE - PLANTAIN FAMILY (Antirrhinum controversum)

Antirrhinum controversum is a species of perennial flowering plant in the genus Antirrhinum (common snapdragons) in the family Plantaginaceae. Native to southeastern and southern Spain, Portugal, and northern Morocco, it is a subshrub that favors subtropical biomes. The species produces stems that grow between 35 cm (14 in) and 150 cm (59 in) tall. Growing, flowering, and fruiting between February and November within its native range, the plant produces dense inflorescences of ten to 40 pale-pink flowers at the end of each stem.