Hi  and welcome!

This personal blog by Stephen Daly, is a mixture of  trip reports, birding adventures, wildlife and photography trips not only here in Andalucia, but in many different countries.

I am self-employed and some time ago now set up what has since become a very successful company called Andalucian Guides. My wife Patty and I offer guided birding and wildlife tours in south-western Andalucia, Spain and beyond.

We live and work the whole year round from our home near the port of Barbate in south-west Spain and I also put up birding news, stories, adventures,  lots of photos and other information on a blog called “Never Mind The Finnsticks - Read The blog”. This was a continuation of Strait Nature News which gave sporadic updates on life in SW Andalucia  and was on the main page of the Andalucian Guides website. You can still look back archived pages for information about birds and the type of weather you may encounter if planning a visit during any particular month of the year.

There is also raptor identification flight photos which may help some in recognition of some of the many and varied birds of prey that visit, pass through or breed in this part of Europe.

The main reason for this other blog is the fact that our area is steeped in a fantastic and diverse wealth of history, art and culture and there is so much to tell. Plus, I can keep some of the trip reports on here too. So, although birding is one of my passions and I do manage to make a living form this, I’d like to share some of the other scenes and descriptions of Andalucia as well as some of the other places I am lucky enough to visit and get to know so well. I’m interested in not only places but the people, their customs and traditions as well, so I’m always on the lookout for that other photographic opportunity.

Day tours with Andalucian Guides can be booked throughout the year and although it seems that I am away from home leading different tours quite a lot, I do like to spend time at our home with my family. Going away is one thing but it’s always nice to come home and this unspoilt part of Cadiz province, on The Strait of Gibraltar is home. After saying this I do like to get out with different people and share the experience.

We are also fortunate to have our very own guest house in our garden. We call it Hoopoe Cottage and it serves as an ideal base for people who like the idea taking a mixture of a few birding days with me, exploring the beaches, white villages or just to relax and sit in the sun beside the swimming pool with a book and a drink.

Talking about photography - did you know that you can look through quite a few of the Picasa photo albums taken by me. They are all there all you have to do is click here and then choose which one you’d like to view as a slideshow. Who knows, It may entice some readers to come down here or to book up one of the Limosa Holidays  I lead in other countries!

Since setting up Andalucian Guides in 2001 I’ve led birding and wildlife tours in the following countries:

Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Morocco, Cuba, The Gambia.

Most of the longer tours, usually eight days take place on the Iberian peninsula.

Some of the above text is hyperlinked, so click-away! It could take you somewhere interesting - who knows!

Anyway, enjoy the photos and please let me have feed back if you have time.

Stephen Daly

               Barbate                           Tarifa and Morocco                 Looking down The Strait

Detail of Moorish plaster work           Andalucian sunrise         Horseman of the Coto Doñana

Closeup of a Roman statue                Great Bustard, Spain               Bearded Reedling, Hungary

Wild French Lavender                            Black Stork                          Stephen in Cahors, France

Portuguese lady gathering figs          Azure-winged Magpie              Springtime with wind-turbines

A male Black-eared Wheatear, Spain      Wild spring flowers   and not so wild sheep, Spain

But first, some of the most sought after birds in Europe - click next!