Osprey in Es Grau

A magnificent specimen of Osprey flying over the lagoon of Es Grau

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) — also called fish eagle,— is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and predominantly greyish on the head and underparts.

This is one of the most emblematic birds of Menorca and at the same time more scarce.
 
It is estimated that there are four couples that nest on the island and perhaps some exemplary unpaired.

Torre Llisa Vell

Although Menorca is just a speck in the vast sea, it has attracted the attention of many archaeologists due to 33 mysterious stone megaliths scattered throughout the island. 

The Talayotic people who created these megaliths never documented the exact purpose of the mysterious stone monuments they left behind. Now, thousands of years later, researchers and archaeologists are trying to identify why they were built.

Torre Llissa is one of the 33 T shaped prehistoric monuments which are unique to the Island of Menorca and located nowhere else in the world. Set in a wilderness on the road to Alaior with a few other sites close by, you'll find the Taula through an archway at the end of a magical country road, where you can smell the ancient lands and some other nature treasures like wild flowers.

 White Wall-Rocket. Diplotaxis Erucoides.

The white wall-rocket is one of the most abundant herbs to be found during autumn and winter in arable land, even though it can be in flower at any time of the year. It germinates rapidly after the first rains, and in few weeks it flowers and covers the fields in white, often coexisting with field marigold (Calendula arvensis) with its orange flowers. Like all Cruciferae it has four petals in the shape of a cross and the leaves are very cut back.

Water Rail in S'Albufera d'es Grau

The water rail (Rallus aquaticus) is a bird of the rail family which breeds in well-vegetated wetlands across Europe, Asia and North Africa. in Menorca is common but highly secretive inhabitant of S'Albufera d'es Grau. It has chestnut-brown and black upperparts, grey face and underparts and black-and-white barred flanks, and a long red bill. Difficult to see but can be heard calling in the watery marsh.

Early morning walk yesterday. The last one of 2016.

La Bonanova

A couple of milles before reaching Ciutadella on the left handside of the road as you arrive from Mahon rises a majestic country house in ruins, with the name of "Bonanova". It is a building that follows, religiously, Palladio's scheme for the villa "Sarraceno" in Finale de Vicentino.

The situation of the house in relation to the surrounding landscape is also markedly Palladian.

 Foto Andreu Beltrán

I have always been fascinated by this building in such a decadent state. As if no one could or would have never enjoyed its arcaded terrace and gardens.

By the light that is perceived through its boarded up windows, it must be deduced that the ceiling has already fallen. And so that nature claims its part.