Algarve and the Cattle Egret.
Throughout Portugal there is a large gypsy community, but most can be seen in the Algarve. They have lived in Portugal since the second half of the 15th century. They rely on their horses for many aspects of their lives. I took the next photo through our windscreen window, as we were returning home one day. There are eight horses in the photo, and tethered gypsy horses can be seen on waste land all over the south of Portugal. At least the poor tethered horse, (which is the way gypsies leave their horses to graze,) had the company of the little Cattle Egret.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN
40 comments:
Bonito reportaje. Besitos.
It happens in England too Sonjia only the horses don't have the company of the cattle egret. Horses in this country are usually abandoned because they are sick or too old. Fortuneately we have many trusts that take care of them. Take care, Mike.
They look like great pals. Some lovely picrures and you've really caught the atmosphere.
Glad the poor tethered horses have cattle egrets as friends. In India, their front legs are hobbled.
Buenos días querida amiga. Espectaculares tus fotos. Un beso grande.
I have not seen any gypsies on the Algarve for some time so I think they must be declining in numbers. Lovely pics of the Egret and the donkey did not look badly cared for.
I was unaware of the presence of gypsies in Portugal, although I know that they have generally been persecuted throughout Europe, and a few years ago Canada enabled many of them to emigrate here from Central Europe. Are they generally well regarded in Portugal or is discrimination a problem there?
Lovely capture on the gypsy horses and cattle egret! I just like there way of living, traveling most part of the lives
no matter what the subject matter is, your photos are always fantastic. the detail and sharpness make your photos appear real enough to touch... love the horse behind the wagon and sorry for the one tethered. i do so hate any animal that has to be tied down
Love the photos of the horse and egret together!
Those egrets are brave little gals.
Beautiful photos as always!!! Have a wonderful day!!!!!
Stupid of me to refer to the horse as a "donkey". I DO know the difference! Do you know if gypsy numbers are declining in Portugal? Are gypsies being encouraged to move to favellas? Near our home, two years ago, planning permission was declined for a "Travellers' site". I think that there is a lot of "anti gypsy" feeling in this part of the world, because people who live near Travellers' sites" allege that the cost of Home Insurance rises significantly due to the increase in the number of burglaries. A gypsy's life is not as romantic as it appears from many accounts.
Lovely story about the gypsis and the bird!
Such a fascinating look at the gypsies of Portugal and their beautiful horses! Loved the egret shots also. Great post.
A brave bird. Fantastic photos. Have a nice evening.
They're definitely friends. Amazing photos. Greetings.
Beautiful horse and such wonderful shots of the Egret.
Some lovely photographs here, my favourite is your first one ...
All the best Jan
Hello Sonjia. I promise to press "Publish" as I go. It's easy to forget. I do it regularly!
Cattle Egrets make for super pictures, especially when the photographer is able to show the true size of them as you did next to that horse.
I wonder if those gipsies retain their nomadic lifestyle. Over here it does seem that gradually some of the the younger ones marry integrate into non-gipsy families and forsake some of their traditions.
A bird looks wonderfully in the company of a horse, but it also presents itself beautifully. Regards.
how sweet ... finding a horse for a friend .....
Your first photo is super as it captures the gypsy lifestyle in Portugal so well!
Wonderful to see the egret befriend the tethered horse!
Nice Egret shots..I hope the horse gets moved often so he always has room to graze..That's sad..
I saw White Egret only once and it was so far away. You took amazing photographs of this beautiful bird.
And I didn't realize how small this bird is. Excellent photographs!!!
Those are great shots of the egret. And, your info on the gypsies was very interesting.
Love your pictures and your story.
They'll be in their breeding plumage soon..........
Fantastic Cattle Egret images. Love him/her.
beautiful shots of the horse and egret :)
Hello, I love your horses photos and the pretty egrets. Wonderful post.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Thanks also for the comment and visit. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
Beautiful photos, the horse and bird look like they are good friends.
Great shots! What a sweet bird!
The horse is a beauty. But then I have a soft spot in my heart for all of them. Nice shots of the egret, too.
...on Maui Egrets are everywhere, they have become rather invasive. Enjoy your week.
Wonderful photography and love the cattle egret juxtaposed beside the beautiful horse ~ what a find!
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Beautiful, cheerful and bright beauties in this post~
Hello
You have beautiful pictures on your blog!
Have a nice day!
how little the cattle egret looks in comparison to the beautiful horse. they appear to be friends!!! i would love a better look at the carriage!!!
Your information about the Gypsys in Portugal is very interesting! I had no idea that there would be so many nor that they would still live their old-style life. In the horse pasture near our home here in Florida (where I go often to take pictures of the Eagle nest tree) there are always cattle egrets around the horses ... I said they should be called horse egrets!
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