Vultures !

 Another fine morning after another fine sleep meant it was off to Monfrague. This park is world renowned for its vultures and other raptors. We have seen some before, at both Orbaneja Del Castillo and Covarrubias, but from all I had heard Monfrague was special. 

We drove through typical Extrameño countryside again. Lots of alcornoques with either cattle or sheep among them. Really rocky ground. For those who saw Lord of the Rings, it was warg country with oaks. We also saw a bunch of jamon on the hoof feeding on the acorns. I was immediately hungry. As we were getting closer to Monfrague we went into a sudden dip as we entered the valleys that make up the national park. It is a rather strange national park. Two of its rivers are dammed and the water of the Tajo is used to cool the nuclear power plant a few kilometers up-stream. 

We got to the Salto Del Gitano, a rock formation divided by the Tajo, just as the park rangers pulled up with a small guided tour, and more importantly, just as the vultures decided to get into the air. Within minutes the sky was full of them. I lost count at about 50. They were absolutely awesome. Excuse the sharpness of the bird photos, I could not bring my primary bird camera gear as it is too heavy, and the Olympus and I can't seem to coordinate focus.

We had come to walk as well, so we left the car by the river and headed up hill.

It was interesting to see that the alcornoques had been stripped here at some point for their cork.

Also interesting to see how the moss and lichen grew where the sun only hit during part of the day.

We got to the top after a fourty five minute climb. There was a castle, which apparently dates back to Arabic times and a hermitage. But really we were up here for the vultures.

The higher vantage point meant we had some really close encounters and fantastic views. The lady below was about fifteen yards away and a little below. I could not get focus but Marjan and I were blown away by her majesty as she glided past and gave us a good look. I am including the shot with no cropping to show how close they got.

It finally occurred to us that we had come up her without any food, so we wandered back down and found a nice spot to eat lunch. By then Marjan's bruises had stiffened so we had a slack afternoon just finding different vantage points to enjoy. This one was particularly peaceful. The only sounds were the chirping little birds and one cormorant on the water that seemed to want to splash it all out of the river.

On our way back we stopped again at Salto Del Gitano.

And of course there were.....

There were actually two varieties. I hope I have the Black Vulture among the pictures. I have only had time to have a look at a handful of the hundreds of photos I took, and I only saw these Griffin Vultures. 

We got home and decided on another home cooked meal. However we did the Spanish thing and went to a bar before hand. Two whites wines, a small plate of potato salad for €2.40 with a view of the bride and groom getting their shots done in the dying light of the Plaza Mayor was a nice way to wind the day down.

Off to yet another UNESCO World Heritage City in Salamanca. It's University has been functioning since 1218. Should be fun, and cultured. I may wear a shirt.