Tavira images....13th - 20th June 2013

As I mentioned in my previous post the hotel was conveniently situated by Salinas (salt pans). Several hours could have been spent walking around the salinas but the hot temperatures of the first few days of the holiday put paid to walking no more than a couple of hours. An Autumn/Winter visit to Tavira would be an ideal time of year for longer exploration of the salinas.

 

 

Species regularly seen on and around the salinas.

 

Black-winged Stilt

 

Greater Flamingos

 

Little Tern

 

 

Little Egret

 

 

 

Kentish Plover

 

 

Zitting Cisticola

 

Spoonbills

 

Black-tailed Godwit and Avocets

 

Bee-eater

 

 

Avocets

 

 

Slender-billed Gull

 

Yellow Wagtail

 

 

 

 

Over the border to Spain, in the Doñana area. 

 

 

Nesting White Storks were a lovely sight  to see, especially the ones in the following image! It was surprising to see that on some posts/poles they were occupied by 2 or even 3 nests!

 

 

 

Purple Heron

 

(Black-crowned) Night Heron

 

 

Short-toed Eagle

 

 

 

Glossy Ibises, Cattle Egrets with smaller numbers of Little Egrets, Squacco Herons, Little Bitterns and (Black-crowned) Night Herons. A few Purple Herons were also viewed feeding their young. There were many more trees and shrubs behind and alongside the ones in the images that were almost dripping with the named bird species! Standing room only!

 

This spectacle was amazing, to see such special birds in such good numbers was very, very special!

 

 

 

 

Glossy Ibis roost.

 

 

 

 

Whiskered Terns

 

Corn Bunting

 

 

 

Cattle enjoying a drink!

 

 

Cattle Egrets enjoying a lift!

 

 

 Quinta do Lago

 

Azure-winged Magpie

 

 

 

Crested Lark

 

Little Grebe chicks!

 

 

Views of the Ria Formosa from Cacela Velha.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacela_Velha

 

 

Tavira

 

Gilão River

 

 

Colourful fresh fruit and vegetables in the market! Fish stalls with all shapes and sizes of fish plus delicious looking Honey and preserves were popular stalls in the market.

 

One of the picturesque squares to relax in and watch the world go by whilst eating a cooling ice cream!

 

This 'Street Artiste' was very good! In his left hand he held (hidden) a tub of bubbles and wand, when anybody gave him a few cents or if he was lucky euros he would blow a few bubbles and then blow a kiss! So funny!

 

Bits and bobs!

 

I saw more Collared Doves in Tavira in one week than I have seen of them in a couple of years in the UK!

 

Ipomea (Morning Glory)

 

Jacaranda

Many fine specimens of this tree were a delight to see!

 

 

 

My final photo is 'The one that got away'!

 

Can you see what 'got away'?

 

Thank you for viewing.