Lynn Barber

The second half of our trip to Spain was spent in Andalucia in southernmost Spain. Much of the trip was near and around the off-limits central portion of Donana National Park. This area is much flatter and lower than the Extremadura portion of our trip, with many wetlands with a wide variety of waterfowl and other water-loving birds.

A major highlight of this portion of the trip was the flamingos. A small selection of my flamingo photos follows.

Other long-legged wading birds included Black-winged Stilts, Eurasian Spoonbills, Pied Avocets, Glossy Ibises, Black-crowned Night-Herons and a Squacco Heron. Not shown are photos of the Gray and Purple Herons.

Ducks seen include Common Pochard, Crested Pochard, Northern Shovelers, Garganey, Ferruginous Ducks, White-headed Ducks, and Common Shelducks.

Also seen were Great Crested Grebes, Eurasian Coots and Red-knobbed Coots, and Purple Swamphens.

While we saw Hoopoes many days and heard them even more often, only rarely did they allow more than a rapid, fly-by view.

On three different days a bit farther away from the water we saw Little Owls, and on one day got to see two Barn Owls in a next box.

Some of the best sightings, however, were the members of our birding group. A selection of photos of some of them follows taken in both portions of the trip.

I also took many photos of scenes, plus more bird pictures of course, and will try for one more post about the trip.