Faro is the capital of southern Portugal’s Algarve region.

These large graceful birds return to the same nest every year after their winter break in central Africa

Other large birds seen in the Algarve include Osprey, Golden Eagle, Honey Buzzards, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Merlin, Hobby, Eleonora’s Falcon and the very rare Spanish Imperial Eagle.

A city of cobblestones

and bougainvillea

UEFA European Championship game, Portugal vs Czech Republic all broadcast in the town square and well attended

Portugal 2, Czechia 1

18th century Catholic Church known for its small chapel, built out of bones and skulls of monks, situated in a sacristy and a walled small garden just behind the main church building.

The bones and skulls that can be seen are those of over 1200 Carmelite monks that were exhumed from the nearby church cemetery when the ossuary was built in 1816.

An inscription over the entrance reads: “Stop here and consider the fate that will befall you.”

Taking the ferry to Ria Formosa Nature Park

Ria Formosa estuary is a labyrinth of canals, islands, marshland, lagoons and sandy beaches that extend 60 km along the Algarve coast. In total there are six barrier islands and a penninsula. The diversity of eco-systems attracts a varied range of animal life including many bird species such as the purple swamphen, the symbol of the Nature Park.

A wide variety of wildlife can be seen including chameleons, once the world’s largest concentration of seahorses, flamingos, storks and other resident and migratory birds.

About 15 years ago the largest seahorse population in the world was found here, in the seagrass meadows of the Ria Formosa. Since then this popluation has decreased by more than 90% and is now endangered. There are currently advisories for environmental protection of the seagrass meadows.

Praia de Faro Este board walk over the sands

Looking toward Ilha da Barretta

Looking towards Faro and across the marsh flats. Ria Formosa is a productive coastal lagoon and represents the largest national producer of shellfish bivalves.

Faro Port