Marismas de Cetina, Spain

Cadiz was on our list of places in Spain to visit but we were unable to find a suitable safe parking place for the camper van, a fairly common issue with Spanish cities and towns. The Cadiz region has so much to offer and we happily motored on to Dehesa de las Yeguas, a beautiful pine forest located beside the Marismas de Cetina.

A very long straight track takes you out to the Marismas de Cetina reserve but the hide was way beyond a pair of locked gates and a notice stated that a permit was required to enter. Fortunately our walk was not wasted as we came across a small flock of Glossy Ibis before the entrance gates and we were able to sit on the track fairly close to them and observe. Who needed to walk any further when these birds were showing themselves off so well? What an absolute treat they were.

These amazing pine trees are stone pines,

There were a number of processional caterpillars crossing the dirt tracks, which unfortunately are used by visitors, and many caterpillars are run over and killed. If their leader is lost, the remainder seem to lose their way and end up in a ball.