Papilio Machaon

The Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. 

This butterfly is widespread in Europe. There usually are two to three broods in a year, and in Menorca is very common in September, but it can be seen all along the Summer.

 In the United Kingdom, it is limited to a few areas in the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia. It is the UK's largest resident butterfly.

Binissafúller

Over the years the traditional menorcan farms transformed not only the way they produce and cultivate the land but also the types of its buildings.

 

Binissafúller is an example of a building with a clear influence by distinct ornamental style Catalan farmhouses.

Old shore house, caper flower and Welsh flag waving.

Early morning calm at Cala Sant Esteve. 06.45 AM

Caper Flower.

Capparis spinosa, the caper bush, also called Flinders rose, is a perennial winter-deciduous plant that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. The plant is best known for the edible flower buds (capers), often used as a seasoning, and the fruit (caper berry), both of which are usually consumed pickled.

The salted and pickled caper bud (often called simply capers) is often used as a seasoning or garnish. Capers are a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine,

Y Ddraig Goch
The Welsh flag flies over Collingwood House. It is a gift from one of our most regular guests and we are delighted to see it waving in the wind.

The Mega-Yacht Leander in front of the Hotel del Almirante.

Leander G is a luxury yacht built by Peene-Werft at Wolgast in 1992. The yacht is owned by millionaire Sir Donald Gosling. She is presently the world's 60th-largest superyacht.

According to the Wikipedia, following the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht Britannia, she has been used by members of the British Royal Family.

Despite that, and for all we know, none of our guests have been visited publicly by any member of the Royal Family.

Leander Website

An ever-changing landscape

What it was a beautiful green meadow only a few weeks ago, is now a dry wasteland yellow or brown. The summer sun scorches the grass in the fields but life still remains there.

 Round bale of Straw, close to Algendaret.

Algendaró Nou

Berries of Smilax Áspera. Out of season.

Convolvulus althaeoides is a species of morning glory known by the common name mallow bindweed. This flowering plant is native to the Mediterranean Basin, but it is occasionally seen in other areas of similar climate, such as California in the United States, where it has been introduced. This is a climbing perennial plant with solitary flowers on long penduncles. The flower is a funnel-shaped pink bloom 3 or 4 centimeters wide. The leaves are deeply divided into narrow, fingerlike lobes.

Squid fishing

One of the more traditional fishing methods of the island of Menorca is the squid capturing.The boats used by fans of this addictive fishing way sail from their home ports (Mahon, Fornells or Ciutadella) a couple of hours before sunset to take advantage of the busiest times of the squid.

 These cephalopods are very appreciated in gastronomy. They travel in groups that may have only a few or dozens of animals searching for food (small pelagic fish such as mackerel, bream or sardines)

 The "Marias", a traditional "llaut" used for squid fishing

Squid: The precious prey

Summer is here to stay.

 Es Lloc d'en Caules at Sant Lluis. 

One of the richest agricultural estates in Menorca during the nineteenth century

Gonepteryx cleopatra is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 50-70 mm (2.0-2.8 inch). It is a sexually dimorphic species - the female has pale yellow or greenish wings, the male is darker yellow with an orange patch on the forewing. Both sexes have a forewing apical hook and brown dots in the center of each wing, and the underside of wings is light greenish yellow. The greenish colour, the shape and the pronounced venation on the hindwings give to these butterflies a good camouflage, making them resemble just leaves.

 The Cleopatra butterfly inhabits open woodland and scrub. The flight period is from May to August in most parts of its range, except Spain, where it is double-brooded and may fly almost all year. The adult hibernates in evergreen trees and shrubs.

 The first apricots we have collected this year.

SANT CLIMENT FLORS I COLORS 2013 at Sant Climent | eventot

SANT CLIMENT FLORS I COLORS 2013 at Sant Climent | eventot

The best tapas in Menorca

32 Bars and restaurants on the island offer this weekend his best creations at an event where the customers, can not onlt taste their excellent tapas for just two Euros, but can also choose the best creation.

Also, one more Menorcan flower...


The Evergreen rose, Rosa sempervirens in the family Rosaceae, is a climbing perennial with very prickly stems.
It grows mostly in maquis or in sheltered valleys in southern France, Portugal, Spain and in most of the Mediterranean climate region.

Palm trees in the sunset

Overlooking Mahon harbour.

 

Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm or Mexican Washingtonia) is a palm tree native to western Sonora and Baja California in northwestern Mexico. It grows to 25 m (82 ft) tall, rarely up to 30 m (98 ft). The leaves have a petiole up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long, and a palmate fan of leaflets up to 1 meter long. It is grown as an ornamental tree.