Spain 2016 - birdwatching in the marshes, las marismas. Pork in Mustard and Citrus Sauce.

Dad had gone for a drive yesterday and found a place where we could walk into the marshes to birdwatch. I walked over and Mum and Dad drove. Over the causeway to Punta del Moral.

When the tide goes out the marshes drain through these culverts under the road, a rushing waterfall.

There is roadwork being done but a gap has been left, at the roundabout, to get on the road towards Ayamonte.

Its a legitimate trail, not just a track of into the marsh. Sendero translates to path.

With a map that indicates that the 5.5km trail should take about 1 hour 45 minutes. The sign also indicated that banduras is a problem. On looking it up on Dad's translation app, it means garbage.

A gate prevents cars from going on the track.

Mum and I walked for half an hour, stopping frequently to check out birds with our binoculars and for me to try and take pictures of them. We then turned around and walked back to the car, where Dad was birdwatching from the comfort of the drivers seat.

I can't resist taking pictures of egrets, they are so photogenic.

This blind has views on 3 sides to watch the birds without disturbing them.

This Grey Heron kept flying on as we approached and took a while to get a photo.

A Marsh Sandpiper.

There are a number of different kinds of gulls and terns here. Rather obviously this one is a Black Headed Gull.

Spotted Redshank.

The tide was well out leaving these undulating mud banks on the tidal river.

The birds were not the only ones investigating the low tide possibilities. There were a couple of guys wading in wellington boots and digging with wide tined rakes.

When he noticed me taking pictures he dug these out of his bucket to show me what he was collecting. I still don't know what they are.

After meeting up with Dad we had coffee at a cafe, shopped at El Jamon in Punta del Moral and went home for lunch. I then went for a bike ride down to the other end of the beach. At the far end is Paradise Beach and this seems to be where the kite boarders hang out and the RVs are parked. I spoke to a German kite boarder who said that the RVs get moved along by the local police on the weekend when the local restaurants need the parking but otherwise they get left alone.
I biked back and sat in the sun, and out of the wind, and sketched and watched the fishing boats come in.

Love the colours.

He was watching me sketch, while pretending not to.

Mum saw Prawns in Mustard and Citrus on a menu and we decided to try it with the pork tenderloin tonight. Looked up the recipe on the internet and it was delicious.

Pork with Mustard and Citrus.
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tbsp dijon mustard
3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
2 tbsp white wine
juice of one orange
juice of 1 lemon
Marinate pork in this for 1 hour and then cook in it in a frying pan.