Baza - hanging baskets

In keeping with my fascination of public amenities in Baza, I've been taking some photos of the free-standing hanging baskets in the town. I assume they are provided by the council, but I'm guessing some of the businesses provide what hangs. They are only there when the businesses are open, so when I went looking for some to photograph on Sunday, there weren't any!

The bag says "Oppy" - the name of the store

A selection of products available inside

Baza - walls and doors

Wall tiles are very common in Baza. Around doors or in little entryways, they are decorative and attractive. Here is an assortment from my fortnight in Baza.

Not actual tiles, but stones, somehow rendered

This is the entrance to the National Police Station

On the wall outside the Heladeria we bought ice-cream here)

The upper part of this building is completely tiled

...a closer look

Birding in Baza

Today I went on a professional birding tour. The company could only manage to slot me in for a morning, and it wasn't what I was expecting. There was no walking - the whole thing was done from the car. Nevertheless, my guide Juan Antonio knew his birds and knew where to find them. As we drove slowly on dirt roads, he'd tell me what we might find in each particular spot. Unfortunately, despite the impeccable English on their website, Juan Antonio's English was only slightly better than my Spanish, but we managed surprisingly well. Thankfully, he had a Spanish field guide with common names in English. We also used scientific names, which is pretty definitive.

Juan Antonio said these caves were inhabited back in prehistoric times (at least, I think that's what he said)

returning to Baza

Most of the habitats were very dry, including some desert areas. There were also some very bare, recently ploughed paddocks that turned out to be quite productive. It also helps when you have someone with you who knows the calls. I ended up with a list of 45 birds over the five hours, and 21 of these were ticks. Look at these pics!

Red-legged Partridge

Corn Bunting - shame it wouldn't turn its head

What an amazing tree!

European Roller

European Bee-eater

Little Owl

My list of new birds in Spain follows:

Hawfinch (in Granada - the rest are from Baza)
Woodchat Shrike
Nightingale
Whitethroat
Sardinian Warbler
Melodious Warbler
Cirl Bunting
Spotless Starling
Stonechat
Crested Lark
Red-rumped Swallow
Common Crossbill
Firecrest
Hoopoe

...and from today's outing:

Little Grebe
Griffon Vulture
Marsh Harrier
Red-legged Partridge
Stock Dove
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Little Owl
Bee-eater
Roller
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Short-toed Lark
Calandra Lark
Thekla Lark
Wheatear
Black Wheatear
Black-eared Wheatear
Winchat
Spectacled Warbler
Pied Flycatcher
Rock Sparrow
Corn Bunting

Baza - under my feet

The footpaths in Baza are mostly paved. Often slippery, the decorative tiles have caught my eye. They are mostly in or near the centro, the inner city area.

This is the entrance to Caelli's apartment building. Note the marble (the postie's here)

In better light. This design is very common

Some are basic and boring

A bit more interesting

And some are quite elaborate

Choice of pink or grey

Do you see stars or circles?

Taken after rain - dark patches are still wet

Sometimes you see multiple patterns side by side

The one in the centre is the only tile with this pattern that I've seen

Found this one today - also available in pink or grey

The following pics were taken at the Parque de la Alameda, where different coloured stones were use to create this effect.

PS - Caelli thinks I'm nuts.