The weather became the Irish weather we had been warned about. Foggy, cold and drizzly are words that come to mind. Leslie was a trooper and kept us safe and sound. The roads were still narrow and winding but we soon entered a different county and the road conditions immediately improved. As the route climbed higher, the visibility decreased until we were driving in a fog bank. That might have been a blessing for Laura and me, because when the fog parted we found ourselves on yet another precipitous road. The land to our left dropped dramatically to a deep valley and then eventually to the sea. The first stop was at the Tralee Wetlands Eco Park. This was part of a larger recreational complex with a large indoor pool. a rock climbing wall, a walkway around a lake, paddle boats and a bird sanctuary. The sanctuary had a tall tower that could easily be mistaken for an airport control tower. There were also bird hides where an observer can watch without disturbing the birds. I was able to lure a water rail out of the reeds by playing its call back to it. Leslie and Laura walked around the pond and then got some tea to sip while I was birding. Then it was back on the road to Adare. After another hour of driving we made it to Adare for our lunch.
What lies beyond that fence?
What is 10 feet in front of us?
Oh, there it is a very large valley
A old timey windmill
In the bird sanctuary
A mink! Not currently alive
I chose not to climb the tower
Robin
A new bird for the list, a water rail!
Grey wagtail
The climbing wall
Welcome indeed, the whole left side is a devoted to birds
The aqua dome
Grey Heron
Vining blooms
The trail is a lonely place
Tea drinkers
Rook
A cool fungal growth
Not candy, do not eat this kiddos
The tide is in
Mute swans
Stonechat
Black Headed Gull
Mallard Duck
Herring Gull
Mr. Magpie
Fuzzy Foot Horse
Big bike mural
A Ballymullen day to you too
We stopped to try and find a small bottle of Dingle Whiskey
So many cool Guinness related murals
Painted on the exterior walls of a pub
Enjoying the round about art
Look some birds!
Say no more
So many kegs of beer
Adare likes its beer
An Ogham stone mural painted on the wall
Can't call anyone as it is a defibullator machine inside
Lunch time!
It is Auntie Lens's for lunch
I wonder if this is true
It was the site of the courthouse and the jail was also housed here
Big jugs on the wall
