A short stroll at Quatro Águas

Last time I took you here I was so distracted by the ‘turtledoves of the sea‘ that I totally forgot to bring you back for the stroll. Quatro Águas can be found on the southern outskirts of Tavira and is a popular destination as there are quite a few restaurants here and it is the pier for the main ferry for Ilha de Tavira.  I suspect the car parks are packed in season, but out of season this is a rather lovely place to come for a short stroll in the saltpans. Simply head west from the cars. On your right will be the saltpans and on your left the Ria Formosa and fishing huts, and if you are lucky you might enjoy constantly changing skies. The photographs in my first galley were all taken in the first 25 minutes of our stroll.

Usually on a birding trip we pay lots of attention to the tides. On this trip however we totally forgot and consequently we had not quite got the timings right for an intensive birding experience. However we did spot one or two.

There were also boats passing by to keep me amused. These were both octopus (polvo) boats from Santa Luzia, the Algarve’s capital do Polvo.

When we first decided to explore Quatro Águas we weren’t too sure how far we would be able to walk but I brought a picnic just in case it turned into a real adventure. It turned out we couldn’t venture that far, but the views were so lovely we decided to enjoy our picnic rather than head the short way back to the restaurants for lunch. I am so glad we did as not long after we had sat down the sky erupted with activity.there's always one

Suddenly

It was fascinating to observe. Not sure what had set the cormorants off, probably the incoming tide as it was too early for their evening ‘commute’. The commute is what I like to call their version of the starling ‘murmuring’ when at the beginning and end of each day large ‘swims’ of cormorants can be observed flying purposely together.high in the sky

A ‘swim’ is the collective noun for cormorants, and when you see large numbers in the water that makes perfect sense. Not sure it works as well though for them in flight! Anyhow this ‘swim’ eventually disappeared off towards Tavira and we decided to do the same.or maybe two

Not a long walk I know but lots to photograph and I’m hoping a few extra boats will distract Jo sufficiently from its length for it to be included in her Monday Walks!

 

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.

29 thoughts

    1. The coastline of the east Algarve is less dramatic than the west but has so many walks hidden in its numerous channels and saltpans – we love it.

  4. Loved the photos of the birds but I’m also immensely cheered by the replies from your readers as to their grey skies. Here on the Isle of Wight we are still seeing blue skies in November, although today has been very cold. Having said that, a much younger friend took me out to lunch today and she wore only a large sweater while I was bundled up to the neck in puffas, scarves and hoods, so maybe only I feel the cold.

    1. Ooh I hadn’t realised ypu were a caulkhead. Such a fabulous place to live. I loved it in winter. Hope your lunch was delicious despite the cold

      1. Yep, it was. Went to Bembridge for some lovely fresh shellfish. However, I’m not a caulkhead, way back in the mists of time I was born in N. Ireland, then lived in London until I married and came to live on the island with my (Londoner) husband.

        1. Love Bembridge….. been a few years since I’ve been back. Crazy considering I’m only up the road from you in Winchester.

    1. Yay! Exactly what I hoped it would do . . .it is a gloomy day today isn’t it. I’ve had the lights on all day 🙁

  6. You sure know the way to Jo’s heart 🙂
    We saw some waders on the estuary on Wednesday – looked like godwits and perhaps an oyster catcher or redshanks. Really need a better zoom lens! I’m sure I have asked before, but what camera equipment do you use for the bird photos?

    1. Fortunately she isn’t that difficult to please 🙂
      I use a Nikon P900, which has a 83X optical zoom. Makes birding so much easier these days, and isn’t too heavy to carry on walks.

        1. It’s extraordinary give the size and weight of the camera – taken me a while to adjust but gradually getting there are nearly a year of playing with it!

  8. I love sitting at the little Yacht Club café watching the world go by and the young uns having sailing lessons. We’ve done that a couple of times while waiting for the ferry to the Ilha. Flipping freezing in Leeds last night. Homeward bound now and getting used to grey. Thanks darlin! XX

    1. This grey is horrid isn’t it . . why I have to delve into the archives for this walk. We love sitting at that yacht club too – maybe we could meet up there in the new year. have you booked your return flights yet?!!

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