Category Archives: Walking in Nature

June flowers in the Sierra de Grazalema

Road side verges are full of colour and cereal fields can turn red with poppies or yellow with false fennel during late May and into June. As the weeks progress spring blooms will be turning to seed and the golden browns of summer will begin to dominate the lower landscapes. Howeve,r the later flowering of the mountainous plants means that there is still plenty to discover in what is known as the ‘hedgehog zone’. Here are a few of the June flowers in the Sierra de Grazalema to look out for.

Continue reading June flowers in the Sierra de Grazalema

Insects in June in the Sierra de Grazalema

Summer time is when many insects reach the adult phase of their life. They may have spent months, even years as a larva, drab in colour and unable to move far, possibly living underwater or underground. Now, in this last stage of their lifecycle, they might be brightly coloured, able to fly or to emit sounds and so they become more obvious to us.

Insects are a very important part of the food chain on which we depend. We also rely heavily on insects for their ability to pollinate much of our food crops, and so they deserve at least a moment of our time. Here is a tiny selection of Insects that can be found in June in the Sierra de Grazalema.

Southern Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii).
Insects in June in the Sierra de Grazalema
Southern Swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii).
Continue reading Insects in June in the Sierra de Grazalema

Early summer wildflowers in the Sierra de Grazalema

May is a fabulous time to walk, cycle or drive through the mountains to see the early summer wildflowers in the Sierra de Grazalema. Roadside verges, pastures and scrubland turn glorious colours with a varied selection of flowering plants. The springtime rains have ensured a vivid display and many plants compete for space in a hurry to flower and set their seeds before the ground dries out and bakes during the summer months. Hillsides can turn yellow with shrubby Retama, whereas the many meadows are a tapestry of pastel shades brimming with annuals. Many plants from the April wildflowers page still continue to bloom.

Early summer wildflowers in the Sierra de Grazalema
Crambe filiformis

Wild flowers adorn every corner with a riot of colour, there are far too many to mention and only being amongst them will you sense the variety. As for the impressive, then the giant fennel lives up to its name with a 2-3 metre stalk! Crambe filiformis has to be the opposite end of the scale with its minute wispy white flowers on delicate strands.

The unusual Blue aphyllanthes has starry flowers amongst a hedgehog dome of rush-like leaves, while the giant squill makes a pyramid of individual blooms which attract some lovely green beetles. The exotic looking Spanish nigella is lovely in bud, flower or seed, with each stage attractive on its own.

Continue reading Early summer wildflowers in the Sierra de Grazalema

A Day in Grazalema (or night) : The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Nestled within the stunning Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, the village of Grazalema is a hidden gem in southern Spain’s Andalucia region. Known for its white-washed houses, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes, Grazalema offers a perfect blend of culture, nature, and adventure. If you’re visiting for the first time, this guide will help you make the most of A Day in Grazalema (or night) : The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Start Your Day with a Traditional Andalusian Breakfast!

Begin your day like a local with a traditional Andalusian breakfast at one of Grazalema’s cozy cafés. TOP TIP! Head to Café Rumores and order a “tostada con tomate y aceite” (toasted bread with fresh tomato and olive oil), accompanied by a cup of rich Spanish coffee. As you enjoy your breakfast, soak in the serene ambiance of the village square, the Plaza de España.

Breakfast in Grazalema
Coffee, toast, Iberian ham, paté and other local delicacies for breakfast in Rumores café bar.
Continue reading A Day in Grazalema (or night) : The Perfect Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

September in the Sierra de Grazalema

September in the Sierra de Grazalema is a good time to watch Bee-eaters, Short-toed eagles and Booted eagles on their Southerly migration.

September in the Sierra de Grazalema

The temperature begins to cool from the searing August heat and, if there is rain, then the ground will soften, giving way from dried straw colours to a soft green as plants sprout anew after their summer dormancy. Some of the flowers we can see now are Round-leaved fluellin, Common ivy, Fennel, Rosemary, White asparagus, Apple mint and Maritime squill. A range of fruits and berries begin to ripen, which can add a surprising splash of colour; Sloe, Blackberry, Hawthorn, Laurustinus, Peony, Turpentine Tree and Strawberry tree.

Continue reading September in the Sierra de Grazalema