Lovely butterflies! I’ve not seen so many of them this summer. I used to capture a lot among our plants on our roof terrace, which is now gone. These are from Sicily while those in the circles were taken in Malta.
The Caterpillar Story…
Tag: Flowers
Colors & Flowers
That’s all from Malta this Wednesday in mid August 2018.
Whatever will be, will be…
That’s all for now. No more posts until I have enough time to comment and to visit my valuable followers. Take care out there!
Summer shades…
It’s very dry now here on the island.
These are seen on many dry plants right now, I’ve no idea why.
A glimpse of Selmun church is seen in the background.
Fortunately, there are some plants that survive the heat.
On a Sunday in mid July, most people here in Malta choose to have fun on the beach, 30 degrees or swim in the sea, 26 degrees. I think I’ll do the same. Wish You a great Sunday, wherever You are on this planet. Splash!!! 
Happy Birthday!
Today is Fanny’s birthday and she’s now one year old. We have had here since she was four months and this post is dedicated to my lovely Basenji. A clever engaging breed with great personality and a strong own will…
…and with a very special tail.
Here she’s only four months old and just arrived from Sweden to our home in Malta. 
Today she runs free in Ta Qali without leash, always coming back when we call or if we hide.
I don’t know why but Fanny has always enjoyed chew on stones and I have noticed that’s a commmon habit even in other dogs.
What are you looking at? 😀
Tired after running too much.
Hiding in the grass. Today, the green grass is gone because of the heat.
Tired.
We have only meet one Basenji so far here in Malta. They are not common at all and I think there are not more than 5-6 dogs of this breed here on the island..
She really loves the sun.
Playful!
Always looking for something.
Click on an image to enlarge. There are a short text to every image.
Did You Know?
*The Basenji, whose name means Bush Thing, is one of the most ancient breeds of dog.
*Basenjis have been around very long, they hung out with the ancient Egyptians. In fact, there is evidence of the dogs existing as far back as 4000 BCE. Each is different and unique, and each breed provides dogs that have their own personality traits.
*Well known as the “barkless” dog from Africa, the Basenji attracts admirers with his short coat, small, muscular body, alert manners, erect ears, and tail curled tightly over one hip. A wrinkled brow gives him a quizzical and sometimes mischievous expression.
*In Kenya, the dogs are used to lure lions out of their caves, as Basenjis not are afraid of bigger animals. Masai hunters use about four of these dogs at one time to find lions and get them out in the open. Once a lion leaves the safety of its cave, hunters form a circle around the big cat to take it down.
*Like cats, Basenjis like to lick themselves clean. They shed very little and have no undercoat, so they do not tolerate the cold very well. They tend to find the sunniest spot to take a nap.
*Basenjis love to play and play. They act like puppies even into old age. They are very comical to watch and provide entertainment for their owners.
*Basenjis are very intelligent and quick learners but that does not make them easy to train. They are very independent and usually have an agenda of their own.
Beetle
This little cute beetle stayed on the flower for quite some time so I had time enough to photograph at least one of all insects I’ve tried to capture recently, without success.
When I take my camera with me I always have to choose between my macro or zoom lens depending on where and what I plan to photograph. I chose “wrong” lens this time but the pictures became pretty good anyway.
I was going to add at the end, “…as long as you do not enlarge them” but my mind said no. We all try to do as good as we can and must be proud of our efforts to learn, give and share. Gratitude is a valuable gift.
Winged & Colorful
Winged and colorful but so hard to capture with my camera.
Pride…
Tough and stubborn.
Looks like this one wants to say something, I’m colorful and I can fly.
Happy Midsummer!
In the midsummer’s eve, according to Swedish tradition, seven kinds of flowers should be picked and put under the pillow. If you like to know how to celebrate midsummer in Sweden Click here. 
Two very special flowers from a very special blog friend.
Thank you BP, they are still in my kitchen after four years.
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain”
Seventh Heaven On the 7th Floor
It was on our roof terrace I took my first macro images.
A few years ago we bought seeds in an attempt to grow rhubarb. But it didn’t succeed.
Spiders! Click on an image to enlarge.
It’s early in the spring and my dear man is cleaning while I take a selfie in the window of our office.
I’m not sure how many different kinds of flowers we have had but these are some of them.
One of my husband’s many fun experiments. Can you really fry an egg in the sun? Obviously!!
Our terrace as it once looked and below, what it looks like right now. Yes, added some color. 
Our office, my dear husbands atelier and our dining room that we use every summer are gone after twelve years. Of our flowers and plants there are only a very few left and so are the butterflies and other insects. Looking at the stars in the sky and the moon that shine but this is not my Seventh heaven anymore.
Fanny, Yeah, come on!!! Rock ‘n’ roll!!!
All images in this post have I taken on our roof terrace over the years gone by…
…apart from the last one.
Shades of Blue
Not much blue here but a Satisfied Flower fly!! 
“The Sky is Not the Limit – It’s Just the View”
Blue Feeling / Feeling blue…
Alone…
Shades of Red
Today I just want to spread some color! My favorite flower and color, the Bougainvillea on top.
A Flower fly is looking for nectar in the flowers of Ta Qali National Park.
Color & flower.
Happy Weekend!!
💗With Love from Malta – Anita & Fanny.💗
Butterflies that Surprise
Macro photography are challenging and exciting. This butterfly was hidden behind tall grass a windy day in Ta Qali Park and rarely stopped for more than a few seconds. I suppose this is a Wood White (Leptidea sinapis).
I didn’t notice that it actually were two butterflies until I came home and downloaded the images to my computer. A happy surprise that often happens when shooting with macro. If these really are Wood White, I can always ask Brian. He knows a lot about different butterfly species and his blog is well worth visiting.
Happy Macro Friday!
If all insects on Earth disappeared, within 50 years all life on Earth would end.
If all human beings disappeared from the Earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish. 
Quote by Jonas Salk
A glimpse of Malta
I haven’t had time enough lately to create new posts or visit my valuable followers. Time flies and life goes on but I definitely want to keep my blog alive and stay in touch with you out there in this amazing blogosphere.
Looking back… 
Flowers almost everywhere and it’s a wonderful time right now.
Trying to live in the present while the summer is waiting around the corner.
This must be a tasteful thistle. If you look closely, you’ll see three small visitors.
It’s now 18 degrees in the Mediterranean. As usual, I wait until it’s at least 25 before I take a swim.
The water around Malta is crystal clear and there are also a lot of jellyfishes right now.
Hopefully gone when the water gets warmer.
I continue to feed our plants on the terrace. Do not ask me why, because soon we have no plants left to feed. That’s life, a part of my life here in Malta and I must learn how to change my way of thoughts…
Fanny, my lovely Basenji, always by my side, my inspiration.
Cliffs haven
When exploring the nature in Malta you often see cliffs, cliffs, I see cliffs everywhere. And a clear blue sky.
It makes me dizzy and instead of looking up, I take a look down, to find a busy bee.
When I look up again, I see someone sitting on top of one of the high cliffs.
Must be a great view up there while I got an amazing view from down here.
Finally, for those who wondered if there aren’t any restrictions in Majjistral Nature Park. Here you are…
Walpurgis Night
Walpurgis Night is the last day of April and a traditional non-religious holiday in Sweden. Especially in the City of Uppsala where there are huge student gatherings to celebrate the arrival of the spring.
From the plateau in Majjistral park
Some prefer to take a jeep to the edge of the steep cliffs while others prefer to walk.
Sailboats on the Mediterranean Sea.
The Mediterranean around Malta has crystal clear water. It is now 18 degrees. within a couple of months 28 degrees.
Walking on water.
Here in Malta April 30th is an ordinary day and my images have no connection with Walpurgis Night, or Valborgsmässoafton, as this evening is called in Swedish.
But I like to wish you all a wonderful evening wherever you are on this planet, no matter if you celebrate or not. Remember, even a small fly is part of our nature. Take care out there and enjoy every moment!!
Majjistral Park Plateau
I’ve shown some pictures from Majjistral Park but not so many from the plateau that is high above sea level. From here the views are amazing but it’s real steep at the edge of the high cliffs. Do not walk too close!
Most of the plants up here are small, you can see the ant. These grow individually…
…whilst these blooms together and forms like small meadows on the plateau.
A symbol of the Navy.
A very special flower that I’ve never seen before. To me they look like soft corals.
Finally, Fanny on the run, full of energy 💖 …until we are back home. More to come…
Meanwhile, wish you all a great Sunday 💖
Tuesday’s mix from Malta
Nature’s miracle, an amazing world to explore.
Everything happens for a reason, take care out there…
Hiking in Majjistral Nature Park– Part 2
Last time, we went along the narrow path to the small buildings that you can see in distance at above image. From there we continued our walk in search for the staircase up to the plateau, where we got lost.
Here we are still on our way to the buildings by the sea and the path is easy to follow. My dear man carries my pink bag with water, my macro lens and some snacks. Fanny is the leader while I, as usually, walk behind.
Surrounded by huge cliffs…
…and the Mediterranean Sea below.
Always curious about what’s waiting around the corner.
A steep slope of dry mud. A place I’d not choose to walk on after a rainy day.
I could follow the path for hours. Hear are lots of beautiful and small flowers.
Don’t look up, don’t look down look where you put your feet, it´s quite deep down to the sea..
Suddenly we are surrounded by high grass..
This wooden bridge was not entirely safe to walk on.
The scenery varies quite a lot but we just have to follow the narrow path and there’s no risk of getting lost.
Finally, by the sea to rest for a while. I dip my feet in the water before continuing our walk around the corner.
Water and some chicken for Fanny…
…while I take a look at some of the pictures I have in my camera that I’ve taken along the way. 
Now I realize that even this post will be too long so I finish as last time with a picture of my beloved and brave Basenji Fanny. Part 3 will come later but to give you a clue, there were no easy paths around the corner…
Summer feeling…
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge – Awakening
This week, Jen asks us to show an image/s of awakening or some kind of renewal.
While enjoying the awakening of nature after winter…
…seeing a butterfly is an obvious proof of that spring is has arrived…
…and when you see these you know that even this summer, you can enjoy eating fresh figs…
…while a wild cat yawning, renewed with energy after a few hours sleep in Independence gardens.
Poppies
Poppies, or Vallmo as we say in Swedish, are one of the most beautiful wild flowers I know and very common during spring here in Malta. 
Looks like this one is dancing, despite some lost petals.
I always think about Princess Cakes when I see the pistil of these flowers.
Stamens and pistils along with amazing colors create a beautiful flower. Nature is a wonderful world.
Hiking in Majjistral Nature Park– Part 1
In my last post, I mentioned that we went hiking in Majjistral Nature Park last Saturday. We walked for about three hours and we got lost. These are just a very few of all the pictures I took, just to give an impression of how it looks in the park. You can choose between walking at the flat plateau which we did the first time… 
…for more adventure you can choose to walk along the slopes on narrow winding paths, and that’s what we did this time. Me, my husband and our brave Basenji Fanny. Here at the beginning the walkway is quite wide.
Our first stop will be at the small buildings by the water. When we were here last time we thought this was a dead end but on our way back we meet a couple who said that you can continue around the corner and further up there are a stairway where you can get up to the plateau. No need to go back and just a few hours walk.
This trip can easily be a very long trip since I stop all the time to take pictures. Here´s the second butterfly I seen so far this year. Sadly, my macro lens was in my bag, but I managed to take some close ups anyway.
Now the paths have become more narrow and the slopes down towards the sea are steeper.
We will soon arrive at the small buildings where we will rest before moving on to see what’s waiting around the corner. It became quite exciting, but I’ll leave that until part two. 
Before I finish, I have to mention my beloved four-legged friend. She’s soon nine months old, still a puppy but very clever and so brave. She proved that on several occasions during the next part of our adventure.💖💖
I think this post may fit well with the theme of breathe with its breathtaking views, the breathtaking adventures, and our deep breaths when we were exhausted after climbing and when we realized we were lost. If that’s not enough then it’s obvious above how Fanny breathes.
Photo Challenge by Frank / Dutch Goes the Photo’s / Theme: Breathe
Future
This week, Frank invites us to share one or more photos that makes us think about the future.
Yesterday, we were hiking for three hours in the Majjistral National Park where nature is stunning. The sea, the huge rocks in different shapes, all wild flowers and the swirling footpaths gives a feeling of being truly in the middle of nature. That we totally went lost is another story…
Nature is both delicate and strong. As long as we let nature take care of itself, it will also survive…
One of many threats to the future of our nature is plastic. In the deep oceans, as well as on land.
What every generation teaches to the next…
…will be the result of our future. And I strongly believe in the future.
Photo Challenge by Frank / Dutch Goes the Photo’s / Theme: Future
WPC – Smile
This week, Ben invites us to point our camera at something or someone that puts a smile on our face.
Happy people jumping of joy a cold day in January here in Malta. Keep smiling, regardless of image quality. “There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all”
A child’s spontaneous drawing, natural colors from flowers and even the strict but yet colorful stained glass found in many churches. “A smile is the universal welcome”
An unexpected smile during last weekend’s walking in Majjistral National Park.
💖If you meet someone without a smile, give one of yours💖
Flowers…
…without the sun there are no flowers and without flowers there’s no sun.
Silent Sunday
A Special Flower of the day
I’ve never seen these flowers before but there are thousands of them growing in Ta Qali Park right now.
When I first saw them, I thought they were some kind of fungus.
Apparently, insects are attracted to them too.
I found similar but in a different color and my dear man picked one for me.
I have no idea what kind of plant these are but I’m sure some of my blog friends know.
The joy of insects
Is it really possible to feel joy when watching small insects while most people try to wave them away.
Yes, if you have a camera and if you are really eager to learn more about macro shooting and the amazing world that you can explore through your camera. Just wish I started to learn this earlier in my life.
Maybe too close, but I really had fun!!
In my next life I´ll be a photographer specialized in macro, a botanist and entomologist.
Until then, I continue to practice, learn and have fun…
Flowers & Colors
Above, you see flowers from San Anton Gardens in Attard where I was last week. All planted but so beautiful and full of colors. Click on an images to enlarge. Below are some wild flowers from Ta Qali National Park. 
Yesterday I came home with more than 300 pictures in my camera after visiting the park for a few hours. There are hundreds of different wild flowers and trees in the park, many of which I never seen before, plus insects… 
…so it’s likely that there will be more wild flowers here, from my little corner of the blogosphere.
WPC – I’d Rather Be…
Where would I rather be, I asked myself when I was sitting in front of my computer and worked last Friday. I decided to take a day off and went to Majjistral National Park a second time to explore and enjoy the nature. Just me, Fanny and my camera. I’d Rather Be out there than sitting on my office chair.
In the park you´ll find wild flowers and different plants everywhere. Most of them are quite small so you have to look for them. Now I also got the chance to try my new macro lens but sadly, it was very windy and for some reason, my M mode setting doesn’t work anymore. But it was a lovely day, where I´d rather be…
Click on an images to enlarge.
Tulips
I really love tulips and yesterday when I walked past the florist I bought eight yellow flowers. 
Eight because today Fanny is eight months old. These are a bit special, they are grown locally here in Malta. And the colors against the sky are the same as the Swedish flag.
Beautiful view
Majjistral Nature Park – Malta
Yesterday we went to Majjistral Nature/History Park, the only natural park in Malta that includes coastal cliffs and a rich ecological and rural heritage. Thanks to Fanny, we discover new amazing places here on the island.
Mimosa blossoms.
It was a lovely day with blue sky and a temperature of 20 degrees. My dear husband and my lovely dog, always by my side, waiting patiently while I’m constantly taking new pictures.
Maltese Pyramical Orchid
Maltese Pyramical Orchid.
There are around 430 different species of plants in the park and during spring, the best time to visit the park. I saw hundreds of flower and different plants. These, I believe, are Maltese Pyramical Orchids. 
Guess if I was a bit sad that my macro lens is broken. But not too bad, now I have a reason to buy a new one!!
Friday’s thoughts…
Sometimes, I get a feeling of not knowing why or for whom I post my pictures on this blog. You’ll find that some of my pictures are posted without any special intention. I’ve no inspiration to take part in photo challenges at the moment. Right now, I’m just trying to keep my blog alive but…
Weekend in Greenery
Some pictures from Malta in early March.
I have a little too much around me right now but tomorrow I’ll take the time to visit You!
You are my inspiration, take care out there!
Spring Flowers
Just a few scenes from last weekend. All from Ta Qali National Park here in Malta, except the last one.
Some trees are blooming now…
…while most are still bare.
This flower is a bit special, I’ve shown it before but have no idea what it’s called..
This yellow one is very common in spring, often seen blooming all over the meadows like a carpet of flowers.
Another small and colorful flower and that’s all for today. Now I’ll go for a walk with Fanny… 
…and today we will walk along this path.
Silent Sunday
Malta 25 February 2018
Silent Sunday
Wordless Wednesday
