Camargue 2018 (Part 1)

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


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 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


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


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


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.

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


Greater flamingo	Greater flamingo


Greater flamingo	Making our way to the next photo opportunity


Gray herons	Gray heron


Gray heron chicks	Feeding time


In the Pont de Gau ornithological park	Gray heron


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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