Caneliñas whaling factory

Walking among the remains of the Caneliñas whaling factory is to walk among ruins of industrial archaeology that exude sadness. In this cove in the parish of Ameixenda, seven kilometers southeast of Cee (A Coruña), stood the largest whale processing factory on the Iberian Peninsula, the longest-running in Spain, and the last to close in … Continue reading Caneliñas whaling factory

Of Gallipatos and Oxen

In the first guide to amphibians and reptiles I managed to get hold of to carry with me on my river excursions, the gallipato (Pleurodeles waltl) occupied a tiny space. The truth is that it was a very brief and humble guide, one you could get in the offices of certain agencies simply in exchange … Continue reading Of Gallipatos and Oxen

Hummingbird moths

They have a preference for purple flowers in different shades, and it is very likely that at some point we have seen them quickly flying around bougainvilleas, blue plumbago, or buddleias in any garden, or among the abundant viper’s bugloss that can be found in open fields. We are talking about hummingbird moths, beautiful lepidopterans … Continue reading Hummingbird moths

Diving in Finisterre: where the land ends

I always feel a certain contained emotion before every dive. This time it was the Atlantic, in the area where continental Europe ends, the end of the earth: Finisterre. The underwater landscapes of Spain are as diverse as its terrestrial ones. The color, clarity, or murkiness of its waters, the light that filters to the … Continue reading Diving in Finisterre: where the land ends

Blue Thistles. Palencia

The existence of living beings is directly related to the presence of water and an appropriate atmospheric condition such as temperature. The ranges in which most species survive are slightly above their freezing point of 0 degrees Celsius, up to a maximum temperature of approximately 50 degrees Celsius, well below the boiling point of water. … Continue reading Blue Thistles. Palencia

Current functions and challenges in wetlands

Wetlands are one of the most valuable and, at the same time, most threatened ecosystems. These environments act as true natural sponges, absorbing excess water during periods of heavy rainfall and releasing it during droughts, which helps prevent floods and recharge underground aquifers. Additionally, their vegetation and microorganisms filter and purify the water, improving its … Continue reading Current functions and challenges in wetlands

Autumn pollinators

The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is a typical Mediterranean evergreen shrub species that can reach tree size and exceed 4 meters in height. It is very common in many rugged areas of the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula, as long as they are not at high altitudes, and can form small mixed forests together … Continue reading Autumn pollinators

Schools of Fish: Nature’s Choreography

Schools of fish, those formations that seem to move as if they were a single organism, possess a natural choreography—a spectacle that invites us to reflect on the intricate mechanisms of nature. Beyond their hypnotic beauty, these gatherings play a vital role in marine ecosystems, embodying a masterpiece of evolution where individual benefit intertwines with … Continue reading Schools of Fish: Nature’s Choreography