Today was bird sanctuary day in the Camargue.
Why? Because my knees wanted something FLAT.

I was lucky to go with a friend who has an amazing eye for nature. She kept pointing out extraordinary things to see, which I would never have witnessed without her. She also has enormous patience and a contagious love for wildlife.

I am absolutely hopeless at recognising birds, apart from the obvious ones, I mean: the talking variety on pirates' shoulders, phoenixes in Harry Potter films, chicken macnuggets. So, all you nature photographers have my renewed and increased respect.

The bird sanctuary is also a wildlife reserve. Some early lizards ran terrified in front of the hordes of tourists and quite a few of a species called “ragondin” in French. My dictionary says it’s a “coypu” in English, which leaves me none the wiser except for tricky Scrabble situations. If Linnaeus had asked me for my opinion, I would have said: rat crossed with guinea pig and bad teeth. It also fails the macnugget test. Apparently, the main difference compared to otters is that the tail is flattened vertically, not horizontally. I have opted to respect this animal’s privacy.

The bird sanctuary thoughtfully provides hides and very informative panels, in addition to vast numbers of animals you really can’t miss.

They are beautiful wetlands (as I’m also repulsive to mosquitoes, they aren’t a problem, but come equipped if you’re not). If you’re planning a holiday in Provence / Camargue, the bird sanctuary is a short drive East of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. If you read French, click here.

If you're interested, I took photographs in December in the same location.

Neat set - the sociobiology one was my favourite. Jarvo · 2010-04-18: 18:09

Nice set ... good to be out and enjoying things. I'm curious about the 'why we rush off to work' ... to provide or get away (I work with people who fall into either category). Really like the last photo. ????? · 2010-04-18: 20:12

Those are some long legs. dontblink · 2010-04-18: 20:43

Really beautiful !!! nadoune · 2010-04-18: 22:49

Great set, great birds! I especially like no 6 and 10! hannamagnusson · 2010-04-19: 03:08

Just love these Stefan. I'm a real bird and animal lover and it's not often you post something like this. I remember you've shot (not literally) flamingoes before but a treat to see the eagle, herons and black headed gull and even the coypu. Lynda · 2010-04-19: 05:56

Hey Stefan, Amazing, wonderful, talented, gorgeous...breath-taking! #6&10 are favourited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;))) ????? · 2010-04-19: 06:17

Excellent foreground in #4. yellodog · 2010-04-19: 13:33

LOL, you really had me chuckling with your text! Great set of photos too :-) girafferacing · 2010-04-19: 14:29

excelentes fotos en la naturaleza! fotosalicante · 2010-04-19: 15:28

Fun post. Neat shots. Ryana · 2010-04-20: 10:37

Beautiful place, The color on those flamingos is amazing. I was going to give you huge props on #2 without your little note. :) thebronzebow · 2010-04-20: 22:36

Thank very much....tambien mi ingles es insuficiente...pero tus fotos muy lindas....una imagen vale mil palabras....ok marisolsol · 2010-04-21: 14:09

Amazing place. Flamingos - fascinating birds...I've seen a documentary and the way they move paddling through the water and change direction suddenly all at once like a compact cloud or a school of fish - is intriguing. The ruffled flamingo in #5 looks like a magnolia or a chrysanthemum in bloom. redro · 2010-04-23: 11:33

Tagged: flat birds wetrodents