The blooming of the Great Willowherb marks a seasonal crossing point here in Andalucia.
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For those blessed with water, these magnificent purple spikes form the perfect counterpoint to the strawed backdrop of an Andalucian summer.
Our ancestors would have looked upon these flowers with great affection. Here is food in stem and root and the fine downy seeds that will soon form are amongst natures finest fire tinders.
The bees meanwhile, view them as we would view an oasis in a baking desert. At last some sweetness arising from the parched landscape.
Above the statuesque Willowherb one can hear the liquid amber calls of that great aerial troubadour the Beeater.
A simple food-chain and more deep connections into the natural world.
Photo: Great Willowherb at the Lake Of Light. Courtesy of the author