The first day of autumn in all its regal glory.
Here though, in southern Spain, summer lingers longer.
Fiery Andaluciá always takes its time, there is no hurry to embrace the cold caress of winter.
The days remain long, hot and slow.
And the shadow beneath the old oak is as beguiling as ever with its obscuring cool.
Yet overhead the great returning has begun.
One billion birds will pass over here in the next few weeks.
Young and old they brave the straights and the perilous crossing of the Sahara.
This is one of the great animal movements and an act of Gaian genius and bravery.
Seasons and birds swirl around this green oasis at the tip of Europe.
Photo Courtesy of the author.