Chani's Creative Space

The island of Texel in the province North Holland, the biggest Wadden island north of the town of Den Helder, has many facets. I have always heard that more sheep than people live there (I do not know if it is true). Texel's colours are golden (the dunes), blue or grey (the sea, depending on the weather) and green (everything else). About one third of the island is covered by a national park. Because of its marshy environment, the island is rich in birds: we say many of them, water birds, geese and birds of prey. If you plan to go there, it may be wise to go during the autumn or winter: some paths are only accessible from August 1st / September 1st to March 1st because of the breeding season.  Enjoy some impressions of my short stay there! Path near the Mokbaai    Beach near De Slufter Along a path near De Muy Galloway cows near De Muy  Near De Muy  Sheep near De Muy  Near De Muy Near De Muy

Mid-September already, it is still hot and humid here in Spain but autumn has already arrived further north. We are just back from the Netherlands, where geese and other birds are preparing to migrate for the winter. We saw beautiful cows and sheep near Schoorl and on the island of Texel (both North Holland).  I will certainly come back with more landscape pictures soon but here are the first ones, all animals. Enjoy! Highland cow in Schoorl Geese on the island of Texel  Geese on Texel  Galloway cattle on Texel    Sheep in Texel's wide landscape

Days are getting shorter, I can smell the new season coming. It smells like melancholy and activity at the same time. Looking forward to seeing empty beaches soon, and pumpkins.    Chilling

August. Time to affront the swarms of jellyfish showing up this year. Water is still turquoise and refreshing if you are brave (I am not)! Wave season

It was impossible for me to concentrate on work this week, seeing terrible pictures of forest fires in Sweden, Greece and Germany every time I opened any newspaper. I was in Sweden two months ago and I Athens four years ago (of course, I was in Germany more often, coincidentally near Potsdam three years ago as well).  I met so wonderful people in Athens, I really hope they are all right and will be able to repress those bad memories and overcome their grief.  I wish our politicians had a vision and would assume their responsibilities. I wish our destructive system could be replaced with a more respectful way of life. Right away. Be strong Wildfire

A landscape reduced to its necessary elements: water and rocks. Variation

The weekly challenge Animal Alphabets on Twitter (@AnimalAlphabets) started a new round already seven weeks ago, focusing on extinct animals this time. We have reached letter F so far (participants will post their letter G tomorrow at 7.30 GMT, and letter H will be released on Tuesday) and none of those creatures was familiar to me before. Such figurative drawing are a bit out of my comfort zone, but I like to use this challenge to improve my skills. Enjoy!