Marais Poitevin, Western France
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This relatively small, but varied selection of photos has a strong connecting theme in that they were all taken within a very localised area of the Marais Poitevin region of western France. We're always looking for secluded and quiet places to stay, which is exactly what we've found with a little gite we rent that's situated right on the edge of a canal with views across to marshlands and open fields. We first stayed here for a week in September 2015 (see annual trip summary), and returned again in July 2016 for a full two weeks.
I’d previously noted how timid the wildlife is in this particular area and how difficult it is to get even remotely close to anything, as it's off and away at the very first inkling of human presence. And, this isn’t just the waterbirds along the canal such as Purple Herons or Cattle Egrets that are naturally wary, this is everything right down to the Blackbirds and Starlings in the gite garden. In fact, the only birds that were remotely tolerant were the summer visiting Barn Swallows. The general area is pretty quiet and very open, so I can fully appreciate that the resident wildlife will not be used to humans, but the situation is not helped by the marshy farmland opposite the gite being part of a designated Réserve de Chasse (hunting area). I have no idea what the locals find to shoot as fortunately the hunting season starts later in the year, but I strongly suspect that these regular activities have caused all the resident wildlife to be extremely cautious. It’s such a pity as the area is rich in bird life. If you’re happy to sit back on the decking overlooking the canal with a pair of binoculars you’ll be well rewarded. But if you have the continuing urge, as I do, of wanting to photographically capture some of the wildlife then you quickly become very frustrated. However, with determination, a little local knowledge, a degree of cunning and the odd bit of luck you can put together a reasonable collection of shots over a two week stay. Whilst many species, most notably the raptors, managed to keep constantly out of range, I was pretty pleased with a number of the shots I got and, consequently, thought that some of the photos I kept merited inclusion within their own travel selection set.
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This relatively small, but varied selection of photos has a strong connecting theme in that they were all taken within a very localised area of the Marais Poitevin region of western France. We're always looking for secluded and quiet places to stay, which is exactly what we've found with a little gite we rent that's situated right on the edge of a canal with views across to marshlands and open fields. We first stayed here for a week in September 2015 (see annual trip summary), and returned again in July 2016 for a full two weeks.
I’d previously noted how timid the wildlife is in this particular area and how difficult it is to get even remotely close to anything, as it's off and away at the very first inkling of human presence. And, this isn’t just the waterbirds along the canal such as Purple Herons or Cattle Egrets that are naturally wary, this is everything right down to the Blackbirds and Starlings in the gite garden. In fact, the only birds that were remotely tolerant were the summer visiting Barn Swallows. The general area is pretty quiet and very open, so I can fully appreciate that the resident wildlife will not be used to humans, but the situation is not helped by the marshy farmland opposite the gite being part of a designated Réserve de Chasse (hunting area). I have no idea what the locals find to shoot as fortunately the hunting season starts later in the year, but I strongly suspect that these regular activities have caused all the resident wildlife to be extremely cautious. It’s such a pity as the area is rich in bird life. If you’re happy to sit back on the decking overlooking the canal with a pair of binoculars you’ll be well rewarded. But if you have the continuing urge, as I do, of wanting to photographically capture some of the wildlife then you quickly become very frustrated. However, with determination, a little local knowledge, a degree of cunning and the odd bit of luck you can put together a reasonable collection of shots over a two week stay. Whilst many species, most notably the raptors, managed to keep constantly out of range, I was pretty pleased with a number of the shots I got and, consequently, thought that some of the photos I kept merited inclusion within their own travel selection set.
