Flying North Africa on the infobahn

Click on the small picture to see a larger, more detailed version. I toured Morocco (Agadir, Taradount, Bouman Dades, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakech) in February, 2009. The weather was lovely and most of the photos turned out well. At times, the birding was slower than expected, but the scenery was magnificent much of the time. The people were interesting too, but I have omitted most of the photos of the locals since they seemd not to like having their pictures taken. Most of the photos were taken with a Canon SLR camera with 300mm zoom lens, but I also use a Nikon point-and-shoot for both scenery and digiscoping. All modes are represented below. The trip was very enjoyable and was led by the Josele Saiz (Boletas Birdwatching Centre, Loporzano Spain, www.boletas.org) and by Jan Hansen (dba Otus Asio Tours otusasiotours@bellsouth.net). Jan leads a variety of trips, all of which I would recommend.

Agadir area

Common Bulbul at our hotel and Spotless Starling and Yellow-legged Gull nearby, Agadir, February 11, 2009.

Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Collared Doves, and Laughing Dove at our hotel, Agadir, February 11, 2009.

Little Owl, Moussier's Redstart, Stonechat,
Oued Souss Valley south of Agadir, February 12, 2009.

Linnet, House Bunting, Barbary Partridge,
Oued Souss Valley south of Agadir, February 12, 2009.

Common Crane, Common Magpie (Mauritanica race), Serin,
Oued Souss Valley south of Agadir, February 12, 2009.

Black-crowned Tchagra, Great Cormorant, Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, and Josele Saiz,
Oued Souss Valley south of Agadir, February 12, 2009.

Barbary Falcon and Bald Ibis (fantastic experience with one of the rarest birds in the world),
Souss Massa National Park north of Agadir, February 13, 2009.

Spanish Sparrow, Ruddy Shelduck, White Wagtail subpersonata race, Yellow-legged, Lesser Black-backed and Adouin's Gulls, Grey Heron,
beach at Souss Massa National Park north of Agadir, February 13, 2009.

Crag Martin and the second gourmet lunch prepared by our drivers,
foothills pass north of Agadir, February 13, 2009.

Inland: Taradount, Bouman Dades

Hotel in old city wall and Common Kestrel in Taradount
and Stone Curlew at Oued Souss nearby, February 14, 2009.

Scenery along the way to Bouman Dades and Jan at work, February 14, 2009.

Great-spotted Cuckoo, Long-legged Buzzard with snake, Little Egret,
Common Chiffchaff africana race, along the highway, February 14, 2009.

Temminck's Lark, Desert Wheatear, Desert Lark,
along the highway, February 14, 2009.

Bouman Dades, Lesser short-toed Lark, Skylark, shepherd with flock,
Taglit Track, Bouman Dades, February 15, 2009.

Red-rumped Wheatear, Long-legged Buzzard,
Taglit Track, Bouman Dades, February 15, 2009.

Desert Wheatear, Fat Sand Rat, scene at lunch spot, lunch, friendly shepherd, camels,
Taglit Track, Bouman Dades, February 15, 2009.

Lanner Falcon, Pharoah Eagle-Owl, Temminck's Lark,
Taglit Track, Bouman Dades, February 15, 2009.

Mourning Wheatear near Bouman Dades,
Gorge scene and Blue Rock Thrush at Toudra Gorge,
and overlook following lunch at the Gorge, February 16, 2009.

Sahara Desert: Merzouga

Drivers (Jussef, Barak, Omar, Jan) and sand dunes at sunset
Merzouga, February 16, 2009.

Sand dunes at sunrise, White-crowned Wheatear, Houbara Bustard
near Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

Desert Warbler, Hoopoe Lark, Cream-colored Courser,
near Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

Scenes including local transportation and Bedouin tents, Little Swift
at temporarily full lake near Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

Desert Sparrow pair, near Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

Palm trees and fossils (numerous locally), Iberian Chiffchaff,
Oasis near Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

Dune scenes (note person for scale) and local wildlife, lunch
SE side of dunes near Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

The desert blooms in a wet winter, town scene, Bega (Barak's home village)
Merzouga Lake at sunset, Merzouga, February 17, 2009.

Jan joins the locals, fossils for sale, Sardinian Warbler female, White-crowned Wheatear,
Merzouga, February 18, 2009.

"Winding down": Ouarzazate, Atlas Mountains, Marrakech

White Stork, Hoopoe, Ouarzazate, February 19, 2009.

Road scenes approaching, entering, crossing summit, working down the Atlas Mountains, February 19, 2009.

Wood Pigeon, Red Crossbill, Coal Tit,
working down the Atlas Mountains, February 19, 2009.

Mountain scene, Eurasian Goldfinch, Levaillant's Woodpecker
going up to Oukaimden Ski Area, near Marrakech, February 20, 2009.

Mountain scenes at top, Horned Lark
Oukaimden Ski Area, near Marrakech, February 20, 2009.

Yellow-billed Chough, Red-billed Chough, African Blue Tit, Rock Sparrow
Oukaimden Ski Area, near Marrakech, February 20, 2009.

Alpine Accentor, Crimson-winged Finch, Mistle Thrush
Oukaimden Ski Area, near Marrakech, February 20, 2009.

Oldest Mosque, Water Sellers, Olives, pottery, fruits
the Souk in downtown Marrakech, February 20, 2009
Rugs from Merzouga and Marrakech.

Morocco: 2009

Agadir area

Inland: Taradount, Bouman Dades

Sahara Desert: Merzouga

"Winding down": Ouarzazate, Atlas Mountains, Marrakech