Nature-tripping at Pelagaccio
June 24, 2012 129 Comments
Apologies for the long absence on my blog. Busy times on both the home and work fronts leave me with hardly any time to sit in front of the pc these days. My husband have to work a great deal of time these days in Belgium so I had to cope with many shared parenting duties single-handedly.
I bring you back to Tuscany which I still remember with so much fondness. The days when we were not out sightseeing were spent lazily by the pool or in my case, indulging in nature-tripping. I love observing the many butterflies and bees out there which are busy hopping among the lavender blooms. The various flowers and ripening fruits also find their way into my camera as well as the simple sight of the Tuscan landscape.
I miss those days under the warm Tuscan sun and the simple pleasures of lunch with bruschettas downed with chilled Italian white wine to the dinner of grilled chicken and beef. The little girl misses the long days of playing under the sun and into the night together with her new friends.
Pale yellow Tuscan roses
Red Tuscan roses
Tangerine Tuscan rose
Butterfly on lavender blooms
Busy bee
Busy bee
Another sort of nectar sucker
Busy bee in action
A dragonfly
Butterfly on lavender blooms
Butterfly with wings wide open
Busy bee
Bare Tuscan hills after the wheat harvest
Bare Tuscan hills after the wheat harvest
Yellow blooms against the blue sky
Ripening fruits
Ripening fruits
Ripening fruits
Bruschettas
Bruschetta topping – chopped ripe tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and parsley
Chilled white wine to down the lovely bruschettas = perfect lunch
The Grill Master
Grilling T-bone steak marinated in finely chopped garlic and rosemary together with salt, pepper and olive oil
Grilled chicken and T-bone steak
Fun on the swing
Fun with friends
About Malou
Lovely photos. Did I tell you I gave you the Inspiring Blogger Award? http://cyclingrandma.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/inspiring-blog-award/
Thanks a lot for this Inspiring Blogger Award, cycling grandma. Very much appreciated.
So very beautiful, Malou, and well-worth the short wait!
Thank you very much. I wish I had more time these days.
Beautiful photos, love the nectar suckers!
Thanks a lot, John.
Beautiful photography yet once again, Malou. Great macro work in this case.
Thanks a lot, Doug.
Your bog is very beautiful and inspirational, Cheers!
Thanks a lot, silvachiqa.
Sigh . . . what a beautiful blog. Makes me want to be there.
Lovely place that’s worth visiting at least once in this lifetime.
You’ve taken some stunning insect shots here!
Thanks a lot. Those insects can take one’s breath away. They’re wonderful subjects.
Great pictures Malou, I see that you’re living a busy but rewarding life. You have a beautiful family and are always surrounded by beautiful things! G-d bless you!
Thank you. Beauty is all around us, we only need to pause and take a good look with our heart.
Your photographs are incredible. What kind of camera do you have? I just returned from Costa Rica which is the greenest place I have ever seen, even greener than Thailand which I had thought was impossible.
Thanks a lot, Juliana. I am using an old Nikon D60. I’ve heard so much positive things about Costa Rica. Never been there but hope to see that part of the world someday.
Hi Malou .. such magnificent photos! Is that a little hummingbird in one of them? And I see broom .. is broom an invasive weed in Tuscany? Beautiful yellow flowers, though! And the food looks so delicious ….
Thanks a lot. Weeds can be very beautiful out there, made me realize that God has a special purpose for creating them.
Hi Malou- Great pix as always.
Love the expression of your daughter’s face on the swing. Weeeeeeeeeeee…
Thanks a lot, Rosy.
Lovely post again!
Thanks a lot, Jenny.
Mabalos
http://jennysserendipity.wordpress.com/
http://canariumthefirstvirgin.wordpress.com/
Great to have you, the flowers and all the small bugs back.
My favorite is the nectar sucking bug and the last busy bee … how can you manage to catch them with your camera and so clear. Have tried to many times, but they just fly from flower to flower the whole time. You have so much talent.
Thanks a lot, Viveka. To catch these insects with my camera, I use the sport setting for less blur. Patience is also another thing handy to have.
Patience – I don’t own anything off …. Have to practice a bit on it. Your bugs are stunning
We’ve missed you Malou. Lovely pics. Really enjoyed them.
Thanks a lot, Don. Just too busy these days because the holidays are coming. Work is doubly stressful and then there’s my husband having to work half the time in Belgium.
Welcome back Malou
Great pictures and I liked all of them
Thanks a lot, bilafond.
Wow amazing photos, I especially love the ones of the butterflies! Fantastic!
Thanks a lot. I see that we share the same love for butterflies.
Lovely post Malou, your butterfly on the lavender is superb and I love the simple fresh food
Thanks a lot, Gilly. Those Italian food in their simplicity are just awesome.
I was wondering how you were doing! It is fun to look back on fun times when life gets busy!
Just too busy these days, Jane. Work and family life but I’m looking for the big break in a week’s time.
Great insect shots, Malou! The one that looks like a hummingbird is a hummingbird moth, a type of sphinx moth. I love watching them feed…
Thanks a lot for this wonderful information, Karen. I was amazed to see this hummingbird moth while they feed on those nectar from the lavender blooms.
I can’t express enough how much I enjoyed this photo blog! Your pictures are lovely and I hope to see this part of the world one day.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful post!
Thanks a lot. Tuscany is definitely a must-see place.
That was a beautiful red Tuscan rose! Also, the grill master is great at grilling steak. I could reach right through the computer screen and eat it all!!!!
Thanks a lot, Kelli. He loves the task of grilling and of course, eating. Give him a very cold beer to go and he’s a very happy man.
how heavenly!! wish I were there eating all the great food and taking in the beauty. So great that you can share this with us.
Thanks a lot. Tuscany is wonderful in many ways — food, culture, nature.
The butterfly photo is my favorite this time,but they are all superb as always!
Thanks a lot, Dor.
Glad you are back, Malou! Beautiful pictures, as always!
Thanks a lot, Amy.
I miss you being in Tuscany also. Thank you for sharing your own missing it. I also take photos of flowers to remember somewhere I’ve been but your insects & butterflies are wonderful too. So small but intricate & detailed. Great images.
Thanks a lot, EllaDee. I’d love to go back there someday. I miss the wonderful sunny days, the food, the nature, the general atmosphere.
Welcome back! I think you’ve made me long for Tuscany and I’ve never been there.
You should go and visit Tuscany when you have the chance. Simply a must-see place.
Your photos are beautiful! I want to pack my bag right now and jump on a plane…
Why not? You’ll never be disappointed with Tuscany, its beauty will definitely haunt you.
I second what everyone else said. Very beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing
Thanks a lot, NativeNM.
Beautiful photos as always.
Thanks a lot, Loren.
Very lovely pictures!
Thanks a lot, Jean Monique.
I LOVE the butterfly and lavender pics. Plus the latter shots made my tummy growl. Delish!
Thanks a lot. Tuscany is about nature and food. Add music too.
Those butterfly photos are absolutely stunning!
Thanks a lot. Can’t help getting charmed by those butterflies.
Amazing pictures! The butterfly on the lavender is so beautiful.
Thanks a lot, Ruth.
I love the action shots of the insects! And of course the tasty food fotos!
Thanks a lot, JennyO.
I always love your photos! So beautiful!
Thanks a lot, mom in the garden.
Your ability to get such wonderful close up photos amazes me!!
Thanks a lot. Watching those insects simply takes my breath away and I’m glad that my camera can capture those moments.
As always, stunning photos! Thank you for brightening my day.
Thanks a lot, curly haired chica.
Lovely pictures. It sound as if you have wonderful memories.
Thanks a lot, zelmare.
A beautiful set of pictures. Each one had something to say. I lingered longest, looking at the butterfly.
Thanks a lot, Shimon. Those butterflies really fascinate especially up close and personal. I’ve taken so many pictures of them for that reason.
Beautiful fotos, thank you for sharing these!
Thanks a lot, thislittleplot.
Ciao Malou! No one does nature tripping like you! I love your version of Italy! Jxx
I just so love your country, Janine. Simply amazing!
Amazing photos!
I can relate to those busy momma days, so hang in there.
Thanks a lot. Good that as women, we are built for multi-tasking.
Beautiful photos. Your beautiful little one is getting so big!
Thanks a lot, Shez. The little one is indeed now a big girl as she claims.
Wow, fantastic pictures.
Thanks a lot, Lance.
Wow. Gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Glad you’re back! : )
Thanks a lot, snydeen. Trying to stay online but too busy. Can’t wait for the holiday break.
Great photos, as always. The daughter looks like she’s having a blast!
Thanks a lot, Mary-Anne. She had a great time out there. Sun, pool, playground all met her expectations.
No Apologies please! I think there should be some summer blog pact that people can only post once a week. I can’t keep up!
Lovely images…
The month before the big summer break is always stressful. Deadlines to meet suddenly become the norm. Then there’s school also coming to an end and there are plenty of activities there too. Glad to know that you understand.
Hello, just wanted you to know that your work is much appreciated!! =) I have nominated you for the “One Lovely Blog Award”, please see details here:
http://intotheindigo.wordpress.com/lovely-blog-award/
Thanks a lot for the nomination, QueridaJ. Very much appreciated.
I love the first butterfly picture! It’s so amazing! No apologies on your absence. I have one myself and it seems to be going around since I’ve been reading other bloggers say the same thing. Good luck on the single-handed parenting duties! That’s a tough one
Ashley
Thanks a lot, Ashley. The thought of the upcoming holiday is what keeps me going through these very busy days.
Your photos are amazing Malou! Incredible how you catch life’s beautiful moments!
Thank you!
Thanks a lot, Anne.
Fantastic shots of those butterflies.
Thanks a lot, Chrisstov.
The bruschetta is so enticing. I will have to grill some tonight! Thanks for sharing another beautiful adventure
Making bruschetta is always a good option to not throw away leftover bread.
Great come-back, well done…
Thanks a lot, kolkatev.
I’m glad you’re back. I love to eat! Gotta get on the treadmill to stomp on the cravings. Take care.
Thanks a lot, Simone.
You really have a love affair going with nature, Malou. It is delightful to watch!
I love your term of my love affair with nature, Dave.
Welcome back Malou! I was wondering where you had disappeared to! Terrific shots, as always!
Thanks a lot, Alisa. I’m still here, just too busy these days. Work, single-parenting on days that the hubby is in Belgium.
The bee shots were really amazing! Thank you for sharing another beautiful day with your family
Those bees were really fun to watch and I forgot my phobia from being stung by them in the past.
Oh man you’re brave haha! I haven’t been stung by one yet, but I’m always afraid I will be haha!
The picture of “another sort of nectar sucker” is of a “hummingbird moth”
Beautiful photos all!
Absolutely beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing
Beautiful pictures Malou! I think my favorite is the tangerine Tuscan rose. I would love to add that to my own rose collection!
I have been following your blog for a while and really enjoy reading it. That’s why I’d like to nominate you for the Versatile Blogger Award. For the rules of accepting the award, check out my blog post:http://hodamaymay.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/i-am-nominated-for-versitile-blogger-award/ or http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/. Congrats!
Love the insect photos!
These pictures are gorgeous, especially of the food! I’m going to try grilling steak with rosemary and garlic. It looks fabulous. Thanks for the “like” and the follow on my blog. Can’t wait to see more of your wonderful photography.
You take such marvelous photos – love the insect theme this time! That dragonfly…and those butterflies…wonderful! And I could almost smell the roses and taste the steak!!!
beautiful photography! and lovely creatures :]
Great pictures as always…
I really enjoy the photos. Especially the macro photos of the butterflies! It was beautifully taken. I am glad you shared these photos with us.
P.s. Your little daughter is adorable!
Magnificent Pictures!!!