The Flickr Grancanaria2020 Image Generatr

Dunas de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands. Spain
EXPLORED 24.04.2024 April Takeover "Earth Day"

A colourful male Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) preening in mid-morning sunlight in his winter headquarters. Cactualdea Park. Cactualdea near Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.

This attractive Canary Island pine was hanging on the side of a volcanic cliff somewhere along El Juncal circular S60/S61 walk, a moderate hike that offers great views down on the valley of the Barranco de Juncal. Gran Canaria, Spain.

Black scars of devastating forest fires in 2007 can be seen everywhere along the S50/S51 hike with dark bark of the Canary Island pine IPinus canariensis) that still stains when touched. However, fire triggers growth of bluish-green glaucous epicormic shoots in the lower trunk, a characteristic feature of this pine as seen in this image. Taken on the circular S50/S51 hike from Llanos De La Pez to Pico de las Nieves. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

What stopped me here was a sheer mass of hundreds of pine cones that “flooded” the path and the hillside apparently falling from a mighty Canary Island pine at the top the hill for years which were not given a chance to rot in dry climate of the island. Mobile phone camera turned out very useful to capture the whole scene in one go. El Juncal circular S60/S61 route, a moderate hike that offers lovely top views on the valley of the Barranco de Juncal. Gran Canaria, Spain.

Echinocactus grusonii, popularly known as the golden barrel cactus, Golden ball or Mother-in-law's cushion, is a well-known species of cactus, and is endemic to East-central Mexico. They have small bright yellow flowers that gave this specimen a staring personality. Cactualdea, the Cactus Park, near Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.

Stiff Bottlebrush flowe (Callistemon rigidus). Jardin Botanico Viera & Clavijo, Las Palmas. Gran Canaria, Spain. From archive.

From last year archive. The Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum), often called the ‘Butterfly Agave’ is a relatively small and very attractive species of Agave, especially at close up view. It is a flowering succulent perennial native to partial desert areas of Mexico. Cactualdea, the Cactus Park, near Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.

The image on the left was taken from El Mulato in Gran Canaria back in January just before we all went to lockdown. It was one of the first attempt to photograph milky way during the excellent and very enjoyable AGC stargazing tour. EF24-105mm f/4L IS II USM lens@ 24 mm, f4, 30s.
The image on the right was taken in the Primrose Hill Community Woodland in Bath, in September. Sigma 24 mm f1.4 ART lens, f2, 15 s.
Both images show the same part of the Northern arch of the Milky Way with the Andromeda Galaxy visible on each image.

Buildings around the Mogan harbour are stunning shaping what is known as the Little Venice of Gran Canaria due to several canals and brides connecting the harbour and marina. Beautiful at any time of the day and spectacular after sunset, specially when there is still some light in the sky. Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria, Spain.

Taken on the hike around the reservoir, Embalse Cueva de las Niñas, one of the largest Gran Canaria reservoirs. This attractive reservoir is located on the GC605 south of Ayacatas in the Pajonales nature reserve at an altitude of approx. 3000 feet. Gran Canaria, Spain.

The old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis probably? It is definitely Cephalocereus sp.). To see both flowers and matured fruit body at the same time was quite interesting and unusual I'd think. Excellent park with many exotic species of cacti and succulents but labels are not always there, so a bit of guessing what species is. Cactualdea, the Cactus Park, near Tocodoman, San Nicolas de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.

The Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) is endemic to the island and is the largest species of lizard in the family Lacertidae. This impressive male was the largest of the lot and probably about 40-45 cm, but it said they can grow up to 80 cm. We saw many around when hiking, but they tend quickly disappear between rocks and shrubs. This lot was oblivious to people feeling safe behind the fence-guarded historical rocky remnants on the shore of Maspalomas and being rewarded with pieces of fruits given by passersby. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain

The Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) enjoying the treat. The lizards are endemic to the island and is the largest species of lizard in the family Lacertidae that can grow up to 80 cm. We saw many around when hiking, but they tend quickly disappear between rocks and shrubs. This lot was oblivious to people feeling safe behind the fence-guarded historical rocky remnants on the shore of Maspalomas and being rewarded with pieces of fruits given by passersby. Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Pincushion cacti from the genus Mammillaria that include numerous species of globular-shaped succulents full of sharp-pointed needles sticking out in every direction resembling a curled hedgehog. There were numerous Mammillaria species on display in the Cactualdea park, but not everything was tagged with full name which is a real pity if one curious but not an expert. Still many very attractive, colourful and some start flowering, some with good access if you wish take pictures. Cactualdea, the Cactus Park, near Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.

“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self.” (May Sarton 'Journal of a Solitude', 1973)

A lovely sculpture of young woman appears looking at her own reflections in still waters of the pond. Taken in Jardin Botanico Viera & Clavijo. Las Palmas. Gran Canaria, Spain.

Taken from the foot of Pico De las Nieves, the second highest point on the Island (1949 m), with spectacular panoramic views from the top. A circular S50/S51 hike from Llanos De La Pez to Pico de las Nieves. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

A head shot of Muscovy duck with bright pinkish-red skin markings on the face. Muscovy ducks or the Pato criollo in Spanish (Cairina moschata) feel themselves at home in the Cactualdea Park. Cactualdea near Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino, Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands, Spain.