Yes, and Thomson’s Gazelles, and Ñandus, Emus and Ostriches, transcontinental cousins, too. And Watutsi cattle and Patagonian hares, Black Swans and white ones. And peacocks on the terrace and lambs for the kids to play with. And you don’t even have to leave Jimena! Full story below.>
We were kindly invited to tour the Parque de las Aves, just across the railway lines in Los Ángeles, last week. Having not seen the place for several years we were delighted by the changes and improvements there. But we went wild with the animals, not all of which we are able to readily identify (can you help?). CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE (All photos (c) JimenaPulse 2009)
Driving round in a tough old pickup it was easy to take photographs. There were several stops so we could get close to many of the enormous variety of species, many of which were breeding. Parque de la Aves has grown and is still growing. There are picnic areas and water stops dotted about, none of them intruding on the landscape.
A drive round would normally take a good couple of hours, or more depending on how many stops are made. But what is amazing is the variety of animals from all continents, mixing together in fields and paddocks.
In one corner are deer and mountain goats from Spain with whatever African variety that is above, bottom right. In a nearby paddock are what they call Watutsi cattle right next to some four-horned sheep from, I think, Asia.
In another field were a family of these African gazelles and another family of Ñandus from the Pampas. We steered away from breeding ostriches, though, as they can be very fierce and watched the llamas from behind a fence, well out of spitting range (look at it taking aim, below, top right).
And it’s not that we have a thing about horns, but there were quite a few horny types about (in any sense of the word):
And there were also some fairly cuddly ones, too, with some of which the children are allowed to play.
Parque de la Aves means Bird Park, so naturally there are lots of these:
But there’s more. They also have bungalows to stay at and they cater for all kinds of celebrations on the premises, including weddings (they were setting up for one as we watched). You can spend the whole day there, including a hearty lunch.
… and that’s what you get starting at a mere €5 per person for the basic tour. What a way to spend the day!
Bye for now.
