Wetland Views in Alvor.

On our daily excursions to the Wetlands of Alvor, we pass fields with horses, that seem to thrive in this wild environment. There are some small holdings, and a few houses which are usually well hidden behind tall trees and other vegetation, with only their roofs and chimneys on view. It's a quiet place with only the occasional walker or cyclist traveling these dirt roads, but whenever our paths cross, as fellow lovers of the outdoors, we say a friendly hello.  Sharing a few photos of the things we see as we make our way to the water.

 

 

The Zitting Cisticola
 

Although the Zitting Cisticola is not rare in the Algarve, it is uncommon in the north of Portugal, and absent from most of europe.
 

Do you see the tiny Cattle Egrets!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
FENCES Around The World
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN

Fences Around The World.

Sharing "The Sleeping Stone," my favourite sculpture in our town square,  park fences and railings, also in town, for Fences Around The World.

 

 

When photo is taken one way, it looks dark like this.
 

From the other side, it looks this pale grey colour.
 

Entrance to park.
 

Little Bandstand with railings.
 

Houses in the main street.
 

Detail of railings, and you can also see the pretty blue tiles, that are so traditionally Portuguese,
 

FENCES Around The World

A Whimbrel in Alvor.

After seeing a Whimbrel on the shore one day in Alvor, we went back on the following day, and saw it again further down the coast, and I managed to get some closer shots. It was low tide, and this more remote  part of the coast must have been a favourite place to forage, as we saw the Whimbrel again on three different occasions. 

THE WHIMBREL   NUMENIUS  MINUTUS.
 

This large wader, is very like a Curlew, but smaller, and darker, with a stronger head pattern, but belongs to the Curlew genus.
 

In fact,  at first glance I thought it was a Curlew, but there are several differences.
 

The Wimbrel has a dark cap, with pale central stripe, dark eyestripe, with pale band above eye.
 

The bill is blackish, and downcurved...but..
 

usually more bent, less smooth curved, than the Curlew.
 

It feeds by probing soft earth for small invertebrates, but also eats insects and berries.

 

Here you can clearly see the pale head stripe.
 

All these shots were taken on the second of December.
 

One last shot, and then he got out of range.
 

Many thanks to our gracious hosts, do click on their links to see more birds and other critters, and join in the fun if you have anything to share. WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN

Cormorants in Ferragudo 1

The fishermen were hauling in their nets on the quay in Ferragudo, which attracted the many Cormorants waiting for scraps on nearby boats. Some Cormorants began to swim with the gulls, in the direction of the larger fishing boats, as I managed to get these shots.  I saw quite a number of them whilst on holiday, both by the shore, and in the wetlands, but this was the nearest I came to seeing how long in the body they really are at close range..

The race to the large boat.
 

You can see the length here.
 

 

 

Who couldn't love a face like this!:)
 

 

 

AWW!!
 

And you can see it's long body here.
 

You can see it's long rounded tail here.
 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN