Across the landscapes of Extremadura (Campinho - Villaharta, July 2015)

Barn swallows ballet in Villaharta (August 1st, 2015)

Andalusian donkeys (Villaharta and Obejo, Summer 2015)

As we were discovering the Villaharta region with Rafael and Maite, we went to have a look at the village of Obejo. The holm oak and olive tree landscapes around are stunning. And the little Mudejar style church is lovely. Of course, we always keep an eye on local breeds. In Obejo, there are two Andalusian donkeys around the village, apparently left a bit on their own.

Villaharta also has its Andalusian donkey (below). Easier to approach and seemingly looking after the village from above... As we keep chatting with the locals, we even get a chance to discover in the basement of one of Rafael's neighbors the complete material of the perfect donkey shearer...

Amazing Catalan donkeys!

Rainy September morning. Off with Inigo and Josep to the Berga area, in the heart of Catalunya. We meet Joan Gasso Bertran and his 150 donkeys in Fuives. Some amazing individuals like the jacks Galet and Trill (below), a 38 years old jennet,... We discuss ideal size, the future of the breed - probably something in the range of 800 individuals today -, the evolution of their teeth,...

Joan even set up a little museum with all sorts of objects

The visit ends up with watching a little movie, buying some donkey milk soaps and ... having lunch in Berga to continue the conversation. Catalan donkeys are definitely the Rolls Royce of donkeys: elegance, the black and white contrast,...

Jeropiga, mirandesa tosquiada e... calçada (Verao 2015)

Jeronimo - pelage d'été

Jeronimo a passé le cap de la première année et il semble se plaire en compagnie de la petite ânesse et du cheval arabe blanc du Monte dos Albardeiros. Il n'a pas été tondu mais son pelage noir brille au soleil! Du changement depuis sa naissance, comme on peut le voir ici (une semaine), ici (quelques mois), ici (au coeur de l'hiver fleuri) et ici (dans la lumière du printemps).

Sharp-ribbed salamander/Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl)

Late july. We were emptying the tank's water at the Horta and Marion discovers this amphibian that was unkown to us. We have no clue about how it arrived there as the walls of the tank are vertical. So far, we had observed Triturus pygmaeus, Hyla arborea, Bufo calamita, Pelodytes punctatus, but never this kind of urodeles. So, we asked around and Marc Franch told us that it was a Sharp-ribbed salamander (in Portuguese: Salamandra-de-costelas-salientes). It is not rare in the south of Portugal. The defense function of its ribs is quite interesting and the species has also travelled several time... in space! So, a new species for the Monte and quite an intriguing one!