More pine processionaries

A little video to show the pine processionary caterpillars on the march (it looks slightly odd as somehow I managed to film it with my phone upside down, I think!)

A procession of caterpillars

This morning I came across a couple of lines of caterpillars of the Pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) as they made their way along a path in the hills near La Garriga. Having spent the winter in their nest in the pine trees, the caterpillars move in a procession along the ground looking for a place to pupate underground.

These fuzzy little caterpillars can cause a nasty reaction to the skin if touched and I remember when my son was only young and we were walking in the same area and, unbeknownst to us, a caterpillar got inside his t-shirt. His skin came out in a severe rash and we had to get to the doctors' quickly.

Pine processionary nest

Pine processionary caterpillar / Oruga de processionaria del pi (Thaumetopoea pityocampa)

The beautiful river Congost

On Sunday it rained for the first time in months and the following day the town and the river all seemed much cleaner and brighter. My son and I went with some friends for a short walk by the river and really enjoyed the peace and tranquillity. The boys clambered on rocks and played with canes and sticks. It felt good to be outside!