It took us seven hours to get to our destination, Vau beach, near Portimão, but it's always worth the long journey when we see the familiar and colourful surroundings, and that first view of the sea. These are a few photos I took from the varanda, to give you an idea of where we were.
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I had packed a little wooden box, and tied it to the railings on our arrival. |
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It attracted several species of birds with the bread and cake mixture, but it was only when I began to share cherries, and grapes as well, that the Azure-winged magpie appeared. They came early morning, and in the late evening, and I was lucky to get these photos, as they were extremely shy, and flew away at the slightest movement. |
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The Azure-winged magpie, ( Cyanopica cyanus) is 35 cm long, more slender than the the European magpie, with Azure blue wings and tail. It has a glossy black top to the head, and a white throat, and it's legs are shorter than the European magpie. It's diet consists of pine-nuts soft fruit and berries. I had to lighten these shots considerably because of poor light. |
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Mel, tired out after the long journey. |
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She heard the click of the camera, and opened her eyes. |
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A view from the back window. |
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Awake now, she poses nicely for her next photo! |
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The Bougainvillea on the terrace. |
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Some garden plants. |
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The beautiful colours of the Bougainvillia vines, hanging over the stone walls were just amazing. |
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The garden was ablaze with the colours of the exotic Hibiscus flowers, and I took many photos to share |
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN
GOOD FENCES
41 comments:
laughing at adorable mel!!! such pretty magpies! love that you brought along your own birdfeeder box. such spectacular views!
you have a great olace for your holidays Enjoy. Greetings from sunny Poland
stunning views and I love all the brilliant flowers. to funny on Mel opening the eyes at camera click. Jake does the same thing. he even wakes up if I pick up the camera. Mel looks super comfy. enjoy your stat
Hi. Algarve is a fabulous place. Your dog is really cute.
I am totally in love with Mell. Such a cute dog. What an fatastic idea to take
a birdfeeder with you on a Holiday. The magpie's are so beautiful. Much different from those we have in Holland.
Have a wonderful evening.
Mel is delightful! Absolutely stunning photos, and the Hibiscus just ends your post on such a glorious note! You have made my day with these photos. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beautiful images. I'm so amazed with Mel who really knows how to pose. So cute too.
Mel looks like such a sweetie. That water looks so perfect, almost not real.
lovely shots and Mel is such a sweeetie
You enjoyed all the good views from where you were staying - sea view, hill view & garden view. You have given me a great idea. On my next trip to the highlands, I am going to do the same like you did. Bring along some bird feed too! Mel is so adorable!
Good morning & what a beautiful view to enjoy first thing every morning! The colour of the sea provides an amazing backdrop for the golden coloured roof tiles!
How well prepared you are, to think of bringing a bird feeder box! I'm glad you did as those shots of the magpie are wonderful!
But I think Mel steals the show! What a sweetie!
Have a wonderful week!
your camera seems your heart wich is full of love of life and beauty
First of all. I LOVE your dog! She reminds me of my doxie Penny! She's been gone for years but not forgotten! These photos are wonderful as always. I love the white boats and how they look against that blue sky! Enjoy your week!!!!!
I love sweet Mel, she is adorable.
Unas vistas preciosas y las flores preciosas. Un beso.
The only place I've ever seen Azure Winged Magpies was in Tokyo..........
Gorgeous flowers, beautiful bird [one I've not heard of or seen before] and Mel...I think I'm in love. What a sweetie.
As a kid we lived in New Jersey, only about an hour or two away from the ocean, and your photo reminds me of when we got our first view of the water. Mel looked as if she really needed a rest after the long journey. The magpie is very beautiful. I can see you had to compensate for the strong back-lighting.
I saw Azure-winged Magpies near Huelva a number of years ago. A very attractive species. Thanks for reminding me of them. They don't occur in the UK. Hope you have your book by now.
What a fantastic idea to take along a box feeder full of bird food! The birds did not look shy.
Glorious views and some brilliant bird life. I like magpies.
Loving the colours of all of those stunning flowers.
Mel certainly knows how to make herself at home, good girl!!
Have a wonderful week :)
Lovely! You have brought back such good memories of family holidays to the Algarve. That is the only place I have seen Azure-winged Magpies and I just love Bougainvillea. It reminds me of all of the lovely warm countries I have visited!!
Great looking bird - at present I feel like the dog - in need of a place to sleep!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
A journey well worth taking. Gorgeous views and delightful companions. Mel is such a sweet pup and looks very comfortable.
wow, what a great place to stay. With nice visitors on your balcony and with a nice view as backdrop :)
Looks like a wonderful place, and love that Azure Magpie.
These architecture with the white stucco and tile roofs is "Breathtaking."
Love the view from your balcony and I am not surprised the dog is tired out, All that driving!! great idea to encourage the birds.
The dog looks so comfy. I would be too in such a beautiful setting. :)
Hello, what a gorgeous view. The sailboats and water look beautiful. I love the birds and the sweet Mel.
Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!
¡Precioso lugar para relajarse y disfrutar de la naturaleza!. Saludos desde Asturias.
What a gorgeous place. You are so lucky!
Very beautiful.
Diana
http://adifferentlenslens365.blogspot.co.nz/2016/08/mount-mangatua.html
The White Sail Boats looked so pretty.
Gorgeous, Gorgeous Flowers and Rock wall.
Mel looks pretty tuckered but so cute.
Hello, I love your sweet furbaby! The birds on the balcony are beautiful too. I am sure they appreciate the food.
Gorgeous collection of lovely flowers, beautiful post and photos. Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
What a beautiful view! And the magpies are neat with those long tails! Love your sweet doggie too! Hugs!
Thank you so much for linking in at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend.
I'm still in love with Mel. Give her another hug and gentle pet from me to her.
Catching up! That is a beautiful bird!!! Best kinds of birds? The ones that don't require you to leave your hotel room:)
I hoped you would have included some shots of Vau beach. I seem to remember that it had a beach bar which was flooded some years ago but has been rebuilt.
Beautiful. Mel is attentive to your photos. Beijinhos
oh what a great place for a vacation.
after your comment I came to find Mel and the sign will be to funny and will scare everyone off.. Mel is beautiful
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