November : Gekkos

Tarentola mauritanica is a species of gecko (Gekkonidae) native to the Western Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa and widely introduced to America and Asia. It is commonly observed on walls in urban environments, mainly in warm coastal areas, though it can spread inland - especially in Spain. A robust species, up to 150 millimetres long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.

The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Its widespread introduction has attracted many common names, including variants on common or Moorish wall gecko and Salamanquesa, Crocodile gecko, European common gecko, and Maurita naca gecko.
(by Wikipedia)

Adults can measure up to 15 cm, tail included. Robust body and flat head. Back, legs and tail with prominent conic tubercles. Its regenerated tail is smoother and doesn't have tubercles. Obtuse mouth, big eyes with no eyelids and vertical pupil. Fingers with big lateral growths and adherent division less laminae in the bottom face. Only the third and fourth fingers end in union. Brownish grey or brown coloration with darker or lighter spots. These colours change in intensity according to the light. When they are active by day their colour is darker than during the night. It can be found on many construction sites, ruins, rock fields, tree trunks, etc. (by Wikipedia)

 In Apulia we have this saurus as a common friendly companion, present in almost all the houses and expecially in every old walls. It is from the family "Phyllodactilae" and its species is "Tarentola mauritanica". I've drawn it in the past for a friend of mine, who, as many people, is terrified of them ! Expecially in the evenings they wait on the walls, motionless, for their food that is insects and mosquitos. With a quick movement, you can see easily, they jump on the pray that is attracted from the light and catch it in their big mouths  !

Years ago I drew this small gekko on a plant of Arbutus unedo

 

 

 

 

 

Kokko and Gekko, two brothers not from the same mother, hunting a mosquito

OCTOBER AND OLIVES

Spontaneous olive tree in my garden. No one planted these trees. For some time I wondered why these trees were growing well and quickly without beeing planted by someone. The answer is obvious and it is in the following drawing I did years ago. 

The nice is that the trees (that should be wild) produce olives : many, good and of different sorts !

I drew on pen the trunk of this strong, alive, useful and dedicated plant

 

 September at the Jonian Sea

Great September !  I passed the entire month in my house in Apulia. Alone ! Not exactly alone, but with Micia, who behaved almost good, because she had the occasion to stay outside the entire day, looking at birds and trying to catch lizards. I had the opportunity to look better at the Mediterranean flora that in September shows its beauty and its wealth. 

Phillirea latifolia, Capparis spinosa, Myrtus communis, Pistacia lentiscus.

... in September the Thymus has lost its flowers and shows its trunks

I had the inspiration for drawing on pen a small specimen of this beautiful, strong and sober plant 

Thymus capitatus

Goodbye September ...