FOREST FIRES AND MOSTLY BIRDS

Yesterday the smoke in the air was horrible, the sky was a dark yellow and so was the light. Severe fires are burning in the north of Portugal and the ferocious wind is spreading the fires out of control. The largest fire is 50 km from where I live, but even so ash is falling everywhere. Yesterday afternoon I took a photo of the sun, It looked so strange.

I have not enhanced the colour of the sky at all.

There are a hundred of wild fires all over Portugal, the main ones being in the north and centre regions These deadly wild fires have pushed the firefighters to their limit and much needed reinforcements from the Military Emergency Unit from Spain arrived yesterday to assist with the forest fires. Over 62' 000 hectares have burned already. Everything is so dry after months of intense heat, that as you can imagine I am constantly on alert for there is one in Santo Tirso very near where I live. A concerned  neighbour sent a message to say that his water tank was full should it be needed on my property as a fire had broken out over the ridge of the mountain  and it is still raging today  I went outside in the dark  last night to see if there were signs of flames, but although the sky was reddish, no flames were visible, however there were 70 firefighters combating the flames last night and aircraft's also this morning The sky is clear this morning but the smell of smoke pervades the air, and I can hear the helicopters passing over my house because the fire is not out yet.

The following photos are rather dark

Three

Two

One

A closer look at the Jay looking right at me

The Wall Brown Butterfly

Pals

Camouflage at it's best

Early morning light

To finish a slightly brighter image of one of the many Great tits that visit my balcony

I will be linking up to Saturday's Critters, click on the icon on the side bar to see some amazing creatures from all over the globe.

FLOWERS, INSECTS, AND BIRDS.

Dear fellow bloggers due to my left knee being very painful I have done very little visiting this week, spending most of my time lying in bed with the foot of the bed elevated to help reduce the swelling. A pkt of frozen peas was also useful  to apply every hour or so, and medication for inflammation every twelve hours Keeping the weight of my body off my knee is the best thing to do by keeping walking and even sitting to a minimum, so my lovely daughter Eva bought me my first Smartphone to keep me entertained, and I have been learning how to use this very sensitive devise which is so challenging. Images disappear at the slightest touch so I have to treat it with the upmost care, gently with tender care reminding myself that I must use less pressure when swiping up or sideways. Many people have a Smartphone these days and will know what I mean..This morning I saw an interesting french film, and the Euro news, but it has numerous channels, and I'm amazed at how far technology has come, ...can you tell I'm thrilled with my gift!

With the exception of one photo all these photos were taken in June and July in the garden. 

The Carpenter Bee.

This flower just appeared in my garden. It is the Acanthus mollis plant otherwise known as Bear's breeches or Oyster plant. The Acanthus mollis plant has many health benefits. The roots are used in treating cough, asthma, leukorrhea, and paralysis. The shoots and leaves are used against bites of animals and insects, and the mucilage of leaves helps in the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism.

Provençal Short-tailed Blue

Bee on yellow flowers.

Provençal Short-tailed Blue on Heather

Lang's Short-tailed Blue

Blackbird in full sun I see lots of Great-tits and Coal-tits but very few other birds  visit my balcony now,and the Blackbird has stopped coming.

Unknown insect..

Blue Hydrangea

 Bumble Bee on French Lavender

French Lavender

Cute and very tiny unknown insect.

Grasshopper.

Cabbage White Butterfly

A Jay on my balcony...

however the Jays are now infrequent visitors to my balcony.

Grasshopper.

One of my favourite plants in my garden the Mountain laurel

A closer look at these pretty flowers.

Flowers growing on garage roof tiles.

I found this Hare's foot Clover growing in the garden.

And to finish, sharing two different Jays on my balcony.

I will be linking up to Saturday's Critters, click on the icon on the side bar to see some amazing creatures from all over the globe.

BIRDS IN THE PARK

To conclude my visit to the park these photographs were taken on the same day, after the Hoopoes had moved away. I chose to stay in the same place sitting on the bench, and I was glad of the shade as the heat had risen, and the pleasant breeze that had greeted us on our arrival had dispersed. For a while I watched and listened for any sign of movement, but there was none, then quite unexpectedly a male Chaffinch flew down from a tree and landed quite near to me

I heard a flapping of wings and it turned out to be a Blackbird that had flown onto a branch of a tree just behind where I was sitting.

When I turned round I saw this tiny Thrush perched on another bench.

In a little patch of sunlight I saw the Jay directly in front of me.

Then a thrush came into view,....

and I followed it with my camera where ever it went

a little patch of sunlight makes all the difference.

As I walked towards Eva and Pedro I saw a Meadow Brown butterfly.

 

 I will be linking up to Saturday's Critters, click on the icon on the side bar to see some amazing creatures from all over the globe.