Monday 9th January 2017
Today we left Seville and traveled first west then south to the town of El Rocio which is on the border of the Donana National Park famous for its bird populations. I felt ill overnight so I stayed in the van today so these are all Ann's pictures.
She seems to have come across some birds pretty quickly - a curlew perhaps?
The church at El Rocio is quite famous.
The church houses the statue of Nuestra Senora del Rocio.(Our Lady of the Dew) which was apparently discovered on this spot and has resisted all efforts to move it elsewhere! Every year there is a massive parade and festival here and the statue is paraded around the town. The statue is credited with all kinds of magical powers! The strange statue I photographed in Ronda is clearly a reproduction of this one.
El Rocio has a bit of a "Wild West" atmosphere. A lot of people get around on horseback.
Ann seems to have seen quite a few birds on her walk around town. Here are some flamingos
.
There is a great view of the church across the lake from very close to were we are parked.
Today we traveled 53 miles (85 kilometres). We are at N37.13139 W6.49013
4 comments:
Wonderful pictures Ann. The church reminds me so much of those Mexican Mission churches you see in Western films. Hope you are feeling better Roger. Richard gets home from Australia this evening.
Hi Anne-Marie, Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you like Ann's pictures. It's not surprising that the church here looks like the Mexican mission churches - the colonisers of Mexico set sail from this particular area of Spain and no doubt the local architecture was copied once they got there. I'm feeling much better now thanks. I didn't know that Richard had been on a trip to Australia - hope he had a good one! Best wishes, Roger.
Hi Roger
and Ann. Lovely images of El Rocio. We went there 4/5 years ago when staying in Seville- Wild West indeed ! By the way not a Curlew, it's a Glossy Ibis. When are you back in UK ? Best wishes Tony
Hi Tony,
Many thanks for identifying the bird! Not sure when we'll be back in blighty. Weather is fantastic here - blue skies every day but a bit cold at nights.
Best wishes, Roger and Ann.
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