Tattoodave

Orchis coriophora subsp. fragrans, the vanilla scented subspecies of the bug orchid. A much nicer flower to smell.

This is the bug orchid, Orchis coriophora, supposedly it smells of bedbugs, though how they know is beyond me, it has a subspecies that smells of vanilla.

Colocasia esculenta spathe, the plant, known as taro, or eddoe depending on where you are, has edible corms, though anyone that has been unfortunate enough to have been served it on any of the tropical islands will know that edible doesn't necessarily mean that it tastes good, it's like the Sounds Four song on Saintmo.

Nice one Suz, I've only ever seen the yellow one, it seems your area is full of surprises.

Duck in Tulbaghia

Another Benalmadena landmark, the windmill roundabout.

If anyone has ever been to the Costa del Sol they'd know the roundabouts are pretty special, this is one of my favourites, at Benalmadena.

Thanks Steve, I pretty much guessed Martyn would fill in the gaps with the dragonflies, they were in the cactus garden in Paloma Park, Benalmadena, one of my favourite haunts. Dave

The best ever display I've seen from a Jacaranda, not far from the Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena station.

I know the first one was perched on an aloe species flower stalk, and the other is on an agave leaf, but don't know what species of dragonfly they are, I just thank them for being obliging enough to stay still.

Supposedly better tomorrow though Peter, so they should get a day of good food again

Which looks like now Peter, cold and damp at the moment, and here's me with 74F and wall to wall sunshine.

I used to fly over from Toronto for the 100 club allnighters, that's when I was working for myself, now I'm working for someone else I fly over twice a year from Spain, and do what I can. I work Saturdays mostly and can't be arsed for local nights if there are any.

I think you'll find there's an E too many, it's mine if anyone finds it

Looks like a tree peony Kev

What's it's botanic specifics Suz? Just found out, it's Helianthemum canum subsp. Laevigatum, and it seems like it's really rare.

A scarce and regionally specific shrub that I've only seen in one location, but seems to be doing well there is Ononis fruticosa.

I can't do anything as good as Suz's cowslips, but in the heat of the Mediterranean we can produce some colour, even without much rain, Silene colorata growing en masse and flowering later than it should at El Refugio de Juanar, above Marbella, and, Tuberaria guttata, the annual spotted rock rose, certainly the best display I've seen of both of them.

That's what I was implying, referring more to the legal reissues, or label owners reissues rather than the fly by night bootlegger.

Call me picky, if you must, but I prefer my illegal activities to be harmful to me only and not ripping off the public. A print is a print, is a print, an original is a work of art.

It's a strange plant in that the flowers change from blue to pink as they age, so pick only the blue ones, wash them thoroughly of course, they look cook frozen in ice cubes.

It's Borage, Borago officinalis, the leaves are edible, and the flowers are often used in Pimms.

It's a Rhododendron Johnny

This is as close as I can get with incredible rarities that are ice-age remnants Pinguicula vallisneriifolia, growing around Cazorla, and a fly-catcher. Viola cazorlensis, about the least viola-like member of the species, also growing in the Cazorla area. Sadly a 6 hour drive away as there are many gems around there that I've yet to find.

I envy you Suz, botanical gems that aren't seen by many.