Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Apr. 23 - Headed east on a divided four-lane highway, through bright yellow fields of rape seed and green wheat, flat land reminiscent of the plains of our Midwest, with a few windmill farms and quaint villages thrown in. Four hours later we arrive at the port city of Tulcea ("Tulcha") at the mouth of the Danube where we board "The Floating Hotel", a three-deck houseboat, our base for the next three nights. Without a motor of its own, we are "tugged" down river under clear skies and warm sun as we sit on the top deck watching birds for 3.5 hours. The bottom deck houses 11 compact cabins. The second deck has a lovely dining room and galley. We have the boat to ourselves. They tie her up between two trees along one of the tributaries and we board a smaller party boat that we've pulled along and motor further into the side streams. It is so peaceful; we see no other people as we pass partially submerged trees and rushes. Compiling a good list of waterbirds today including Dalmation and Great White Pelicans, White Storks sitting high up on nests, and grey and black Hooded Crows around every corner, we return to the boat for a nice dinner and a good night's sleep in absolute silence. With no motor on board, there is no vibration, no noise whatsoever. Lights (electricity) out midnight to six.
Apr. 24 - We explored by small boat more of the delta today which eventually opens out onto the Black Sea. Within the delta there are some small settlements, cattle that somehow graze along the tops of dikes. There are abandoned fish farms and Soviet factories and remaining shells of housing sitting atop the dunes. We disembark at one such abandoned encampment, dilapadated, home now to swallows and owls among the concrete. Pieces of heavy wire and chunks of cement litter the dunes along cattle paths. Back in the boat we are seeing some different birds from other years. The water level is about a meter above normal because of the late and snowy winter. The predominant trees are willows that survive having their feet in water, but birds like moorhens and rails don't have earth to stand on yet. We have seen some species that have delayed migration north because of the colder winter. And we've even seen some wild boars.
We have been so lucky weatherwise. Today was windy, but sunny and warm enough to peel off layers during the day. Our cabin is snug but comfortable, the food is generous and tasty, and each meal has a new elaborate decoration of folded paper napkins (e.g., water lilies, swans) with lemon slices decorated to resemble hedgehogs or eggs with happy faces. Clearly the galley help enjoy their jobs, or have free time.
- comments
Cathy I like the sound of Birding by Boat!
Judy Looks and sounds wonderful! I hope this is actually happening in April though and not Feb.
Suzi Geez. Of course. Thanks for catching this.
Tracey Tee Hee... Judy.