El Condor
This morning the weather is gloomy and we even had rain last night.
Our goal today is to reach " El Condor " , small resort 320 km away to admire the largest colony of parrots that can be found on its cliffs.
These are home to about 37,000 nests of Patagonian parakeets, which sink up to 3 metres inside. The latest known count estimates the number of individuals at 70,000.
We are witnessing an extraordinary spectacle ... At our approach, hundreds of birds fly in all directions, shouting squeals. The noise is deafening.
Their head and back are dark olive green with brownish hues. The upper part of the chest is whitish, while its lower part is olive green. The abdomen, thighs, back and shoulders are yellow. The central part of the abdomen is orange. The wings are olive. The tail is olive-grey. The dark grey beak is hooked and short. Finally, the legs are thin compared to the size of the bird, pale pink.
These parrots are monogamous, and mate for life.
We settle down along the "paseo maritime" and decide to stay there one more day to rest.
Pivoter pour une meilleure lecture
San Antonio Oeste
Before continuing our descent to « la Tierra del Fuego », we make a small detour to visit the "Reserva Faunistica Punta Bermeja".
No tourist guide tells about this reserve which was created in 1971 and whose main purpose was to protect one of the world’s largest colonies of "lobo marino de un pelo" or "sea lion ".
From the top of the cliff we observe this huge colony stranded on sand and rocks.
On the road we are accompanied by our friends the parakeets that fly around us.
Since we left the "Sierra Ventana" we have been driving on straight roads for hundreds of kilometres and crossing a flat, unique landscape..." The Pampa"
It’s rather monotonous despite the good weather.
Next to our evening bivouac, we discover an "Estancia" producing olive oil... The selling prices are twice cheaper than in the supermarkets!
Argentina has excessively high food prices.
Tomorrow we head to the "Peninsula Valdes" marine wildlife paradise.
ROAD BOOK 183
MAVROS ODYSSEE