Camargue 2018 (Part 1)

Evening light in the 'Marais du Vigueirat'

Evening light in the Marais du Vigueirat

From May 8 through 10, 2018, my friend Didier and I spent a delightful three days in the Camargue taking pictures during the tenth festival de la Camargue et du delta du Rhône. Though we had made reservations for several organized activities, we also wandered around on our own. In addition to enjoying great food and company, this outing yielded quite a few photos, some of which are presented here in two installments. This is part 1; click here to see part 2.

Click on any image to see a larger (2100 x 1400 pixel) version!

Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, Village de l'Oiseau

We started off in the Village de l'Oiseau (village of the bird) in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. This was the starting point of certain excursions, but the site also hosted photo exhibits, presentations of different parts of the Camargue, and many other items. Since our first organized activity was not until 7 p.m. that evening, we had plenty of time to view what this area had to offer.


At the 'Village de l'Oiseau' in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône Wind wheel

At the Village de l'Oiseau in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône

Wind wheel


Wind wheel Mallards

Wind wheel

Mallards

By the Étang de Vaccarès

Next, we drove to the Étang de Vaccarès. Normally, an étang is a pond, but with an area of over 16,000 acres, I guess it would be more appropriate to call this a lake, even though its depth does not exceed six-and-a-half feet. I had never been to this part of the Camargue, so I was grateful to be there after having seen so many photos taken in this area.


The Étang de Vaccarès By the Étang de Vaccarès

The Étang de Vaccarès

By the The Étang de Vaccarès


By the Étang de Vaccarès The 'Route de Fielouse' (D36B) follows the shore of the 'Étang de Vaccarès'

By the The Étang de Vaccarès

The Route de Fielouse (D36B) follows the shore of the Étang de Vaccarès

Near the hamlet of Gimeaux

We then drove in the general direction of where our first scheduled activity was to take place, stopping here and there whenever we saw something that triggered our interest. We had about two-and-a-half hours to take pictures, and we did use up the time completely.


Two Camargue mares with their resting foals In the Camargue, there are other breeds of horses as well

Two Camargue mares with their resting foals

In the Camargue, there are other breeds of horses as well


View off the 'Route du Mas du Tort' Glossy ibises in a Camargue rice paddy

View off the Route du Mas du Tort

Glossy ibises in a Camargue rice paddy near Gimeaux

An evening walk in the Marais du Vigueirat

This excursion was advertised as Crépuscule au cœur du marais, (dusk in the heart of the marsh), and it certainly did not disappoint. We were guided by a very nice lady biologist who was able to convey her vast knowledge about all aspects of this amazing environment with passion and enthusiasm. One of her most welcome accessories (besides her Leitz telescope on a tripod) was the can of mosquito repellent she had brought for all of us! Mosquitos were not that much of a problem on this visit to the Camargue—except on this walk. We ended the tour around 9:30 p.m. with an apéro on a raised observation platform. A good time was had by all!


Our meeting point in the Marshes of Vigueirat nature preserve Starting our walk

Our meeting point in the Marshes of Vigueirat nature preserve

Starting our walk


Amid the reeds The walkways are all well maintained Well, almost all

Amid the reeds

The walkways are all well maintained

Well, almost all


Narrow waterways alternate with expansive ponds Dusk in the 'Marais due Vigueirat'

Narrow waterways alternate with expansive ponds

Dusk in the Marais du Vigueirat


At 9 p.m., the light is fading fast... ...and a few minutes later, it's almost night.

At 9 p.m., the light is fading fast...

...and a few minutes later, it's almost night.

Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau

This was not scheduled, but due to unbelievably bad instructions and a classic case of "you-can't-get-there-from-here" (at least not in a reasonable time frame) we had to forego our planned dune walk that was to have taken place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. What do do? We discussed it over coffee and a croissant and opted to go to the Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau, just a few minutes away by car. We had both been there before, and more than once. but the place is wonderful, and so it was the perfect substitute for the missed excursion. In retrospect, and after having spoken to a couple of people who did go on the dune walk, we now believe (maybe a bit conveniently) that we were better off having missed the dunes.


There is plenty of water here, so the vegetation is very lush Greater flamingos

There is plenty of water here, so the vegetation is very lush

Greater flamingos


Greater flamingo Greater flamingo

Greater flamingo

Greater flamingo


Greater flamingo Making our way to the next photo opportunity

Greater flamingo

Making our way to the next photo opportunity


Gray herons Gray heron

Gray herons

Gray heron


Gray heron chicks Feeding time

Gray heron chicks

Feeding time


In the Pont de Gau ornithological park Gray heron

In the Pont de Gau ornithological park

Gray heron


Coypu Mallard

Coypu

Mallard


This is page one of two; click here to go to page two.
The photos on this page were taken on May 8 and 9, 2018.
They and many others may also be viewed in a gallery or as a slide show.




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