Not every day is a sunny day

DSCN0302But even on grey days there is beauty and colour to behold, and of course Algarvian grey days are nothing like English grey days (thank goodness!!).

DSCN0212Yesterday we, as we have on previous grey days for some reason, headed for Marim, a small hamlet east of Olhão. It once was a railway halt, the building survives but as far as we know trains never stop here now.

Marim hosts a small holiday complex, and is adjacent to the Ria Formosa park headquarters. Since our last visit the new car park and decking has been finished, but there remain no cafés or restaurants on the water front. The car park was unsurprisingly almost empty on a grey November day although we did see two other tourists. We suspect it is very busy in the summer as there is a small beach here.

with Armona in the distance

Yesterday our focus was on the mud and the incoming tide, and we delighted to spot Curlews and Whimbrels. There were also the usual culprits such as Ringed Plovers, Turnstones, Red Shanks, Egrets and Storks. Unexpected surprises included crabs, Flamingoes and a herd of goats!

and a great place to watch crabs emerge from holes in the sand.
with the tide coming in

From the car park we headed east towards the river which separates Marim from the Ria Formosa park headquarters. Yesterday we stuck to the coastal path but you can at or soon after the abandoned tidal mill head into the salt pans and create a circular walk. For those simply wanting a stroll you are probably looking at most at a 30minute of walking, but if you are a bit of a birder then you easily find a couple of hours have passed by the time you think of returning to the car. We found half hour passed just watching the crabs and the shellfish farm!

They react to movement so trick is too keep still

Author: BeckyB

It had been a good life walking, cooking, photographing, volunteering, blogging, and best of all spending time with MrB, family, & friends. Sadly it is no longer what it was, as suddenly and unexpectedly I became a widow.

10 thoughts

  1. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Barranco das Lajes | restlessjo

  2. I love that tidal mill! We didn’t visit this trip but were on a walk in the woods at Conceicao on your grey day. 🙂 Did you manage to get up into the hills at all? There’s a story coming up 🙂 🙂 It was lovely to meet you.

  3. It’s a grey day here in Dublin today too… But a couple of flamingoes would brighten it right up! Thanks for sharing more of your awesome nature photos 😀

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