Thursday, July 17, 2008

Butterflies and other creatures Portugal # 5

I thought it was about time I showed you some of the wildlife we saw around the villa. We were mesmerize by the number of butterflies that came to feast of the flowers. I spent ages, standing quietly, trying to get a really good photo. These are the three that I consider to be my best shots.

There were a lot of lizards of varying sizes that we saw mainly at night, hence my rather poor efforts with the camera!This one often found its way between the shutters. Guess who worried it might find its way into the bedroom! These spent a lot of time near the roof tiles. Now this seemed to be where a lot of birds nested (I could not get a single bird pictures, they were far too quick for me!)
Finally I'm going to leave you guessing what these last two photo are~ I know they are poor quality but it was dark~I expect I've give it away!


The only downside to this holiday is that we were over run with little black ants (I don't have any photos until my grandson burns me a disc as he took some better ones than mine). They got into everything even the dishwasher. We ended up using three cans of spray and still they came back~ oh and they bite. Both embee and I got bitten on our hands and it set up a nasty reaction that took a while to clear. In fact I still have a scar!

Archives:
2007: A bomb has hit the house!

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26 Comments:

At 17/7/08 07:14, Blogger Barbara said...

Sounds like Portugal was fabulous Chris. We call those butterflies Monarchs here. Bryan has already declared his 60th the best fun ever. Our last guests left this morning. We plan a quiet night tonight :)

 
At 17/7/08 09:04, Blogger ChrisB said...

Barbara I thought they were Monarchs, but they were not as large as the ones I saw when I was in New England.
It's lovely having visitors but I know exactly what you mean about having a quiet night. Glad to hear the big 60 was a success.

 
At 17/7/08 09:40, Blogger Steffi said...

Wow...wonderful pics of such beautiful animals in Portugal.Have a nice day...Mine day will be not nice today because I have a date with the dentist... ;O((

 
At 17/7/08 10:19, Blogger Beccy said...

I'd willingly put up with the ants to be back there again.

 
At 17/7/08 12:35, Blogger SwampAngel65 said...

Beautiful butterfly pics! I never knew the lanatan plant that the butterfly is one, grew anywhere but here! Awesome. And that gecko looks pretty dang cool. I bet he wouldn't have eaten much if he DID get in the window at night...hehehe...

The last pics? CREEPY! Especially that first evil eye looking thing...IS it an eye? A cat's eye? Scary!!

 
At 17/7/08 12:35, Blogger SwampAngel65 said...

I meant to say "lantana" plant. My spelling is awful, but then again, it's 7:30am and I'm not fully awake yet.

 
At 17/7/08 13:18, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those are beautiful shot although I have no idea what the one in the dark is!

Yuck ants are the worst.

 
At 17/7/08 14:12, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, Chris, you KNOW I love photos of butterflies--those are gorgeous :). What a treat to see these on a daily basis while you were on vacation.

The lizards? Well, as long as they stayed OUTSIDE I would've loved seeing them; these fellas look larger than the one typically seen around here.

Are the last photos lightening bugs? I thought "cat eyes", too, at first, but how could you have captured that?

(and I HATE fireants! They're miserable little pests!)

 
At 17/7/08 15:12, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The last to pictures look like eyes, but I don't know of what. Love the photos. Lizards are the best.

 
At 17/7/08 15:19, Blogger Anvilcloud said...

For some reason I am surprised to see Monarch butterflies over there too.

 
At 17/7/08 15:48, Blogger Yummy Tummy Treats said...

Hey thanks for stopping by my blog spot and checking out the bouquet. I love the pictures.

 
At 17/7/08 16:08, Blogger ~ej said...

ugh @ the ants...
but your butterfly photos are gorgeous. my little girl will love seeing them!!
cute lizards :)

 
At 17/7/08 17:20, Blogger Sam said...

love the new banner!

 
At 17/7/08 19:03, Blogger Unknown said...

Great pics! Glow-worms?

 
At 17/7/08 20:03, Blogger Robocop said...

You have some cute neighbors!

 
At 17/7/08 20:29, Blogger Alison said...

I love your photos, esp the butterfly ones, they are wonderful!!

I have no idea what the last one is?? it looks like an eye.

 
At 17/7/08 20:42, Blogger Sauntering Soul said...

Ooooh I hate lizards! But the butterflys are beautiful.

 
At 17/7/08 20:43, Blogger Kaytabug said...

What beautiful photos!
Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation!
those last 2 photos are of lighting bugs or fire flies whichever way you choose to call them.

 
At 18/7/08 00:10, Blogger PAT said...

I've enjoyed your vacation photos Chris! I'm sorry to hear about those ants though!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Pat

 
At 18/7/08 01:43, Blogger karisma said...

Hmmmm is it an owl?

I like Flutterby's but those lizards are very cool.

 
At 18/7/08 02:27, Blogger Hula Girl at Heart said...

I love the butterfly pics! Wonderful.

 
At 18/7/08 04:49, Blogger Unknown said...

I have no clue what those last ones are. But I love your lizards and butterflies, wish a butterfly would have followed you into your room, I doubt it would have bit like the ants.

Now, Chris, you did get a bird or two, remember the storks. :)

 
At 18/7/08 06:43, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We call them Flutterbys at our house.
Those are some outstanding shots. Sorry about the bites. You're just too sweet.

 
At 18/7/08 22:45, Anonymous Anonymous said...

love the photos chris, the butterflies are so colourful

 
At 19/7/08 07:56, Blogger Pamela said...

that one butterfly is truly posing for you!

 
At 24/7/08 17:30, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time in Portugal.

Your butterfly photos are gorgeous.

 

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