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
