Framedlight

Alan wanted to go back to the marsh area of s'Albufera. This time it was sunny and warmer. The swallows and swifts were swooping over the reeds and we were entertained by the croaks of the frogs. There were raptors in the distance, but we did not see anything unusual apart from a rather large and ugly purple swamp hen which retreated before I could train my lens on it. I amused myself taking multiple exposures while listening to the frogs. The reserve is close to the largest power station on the island which rises, pale beside the lake. After we left the marsh we crossed the road outside the reserve and walked down to the coast at Alcúdia. The sea looked quite rough and choppy.

After some lunch in the apartment Alan said that he would like to go to the Parc Natural de s'Albufera, an area of marshland lying near Alcúdia, not far from where were were staying.  S'Albufera is famous for it's birdlife, especially in spring and autumn when it is a service station for migrants crossing between Africa and northern Europe. It has a small car parking area and then a gated entrance which is opened 9.00am until 5.00pm in the winter. The marsh was once a lagoon which got cut off from the sea around 10,000 years ago by the formation of sand dunes. The wetland is now mainly fresh water, with a only small amount of sea water getting in. You are supposed to get a permit (free) from the visitor centre, but as that was closed I guess everyone who was there was illegal! A number of the paths are on wooden boardwalks. We did not see many birds, a few egrets and ducks as well as swallows and swifts, but the waterways were impressive. ...