|
|
Whether
you are a dedicated twitcher or a more casual birdwatcher, a great
place to make the most of it, in peace and tranquility is the Fuente
de Piedra near Antequera, particularly during the flamingo breeding
season between March and July.
If you approach the lake from one of the nearby mountain regions
you will probably be struck initially by the flatness of the area,
which was luxuriantly green when we went there at the end of April,
the roadsides and fields splashed with the bright colours of Spring
flowers. So quiet and isolated, it may strike some visitors as being
in the middle of nowhere, yet the lake, which measures 6.5km by
2.5km, the most extensive in Andalucia, is actually in a sense right
in the middle of it all, very near Antequera and easily approachable
by a superb road network from Malaga, Granada, Cordoba and Seville,
and whether it forms a enjoyable daytrip in itself, or one jewel
amongst a crown of other Andalucian attractions along the way, it
is simply unmissable.
The lake, which is the most important breeding ground for flamingos
in the Iberian Peninsula, is also a nature reserve. Visitors can
see a variety of other birds too, including rare seagulls, as well
as a spectacular display of flora specially adapted to the salt
water. A friendly and highly organised visitors’ centre, housing
a museum and seminar room, offers fascinating information for those
interested in more than casual observation. A mirador overlooking
the lake leads to a walkway around the water’s edge, the flat
conditions making it easy going for prams and small children.
The sight of thousands of flamingos standing in the shallow water
was unforgettable for me, the impressive silence broken only from
time to time by the calls of the birds, which often resulted in
a ripple of wing flapping through the ranks, throwing up a brilliant
flash of crimson pink in the golden sunshine. A mouthwatering display
of camera equipment and binoculars in the hands of other eager visitors
seemed to make perfect sense and would be highly recommended.
Choosing a route back towards the coast through Antequera, we stopped
at a hillside restaurant for lunch, gazing back with happy memories
over the valley, before we wove our way home along the long, winding
road through the gorgeous and breathtaking Valle de Abdalajis.
Pretty flamingos! What a lovely day!
|
