David

A profusion of tree tobacco flowers in the small civic park in Cassis, a Mediterranean resort not far from Marseille.

A palm moth – image matching ID by the iNaturalist website – resting on vegetation.

Rock samphire growing from the limestone rock right by the shore of one of the calanques at Cassis. The calanques are a series of miniature fjords or rias heading east from Marseille, where rising sea levels have flooded the steep valleys cut by fast-flowing winter streams.

Geckos scrambling on walls, performing seemingly impossible acrobatic feats. One of the pleasures of the Mediterranean as night falls.

Bright orange of a bird of paradise flower contrasting with the deep green of the plant’s leaves.

A swallowtail butterfly taking time to gather nectar from one of the flowers at Cassis near Marseille.