Scenes from the Middle East

The sun has been shining which always gives me more energy. Today I walked 2 km (12 laps) on the track with my poles in 50 minutes, a slow pace, but progress nevertheless. My physiotherapist suggested swimming for exercise but I dislike going to pools in the winter and coming out into the cold while still damp.

My nephew Alex commented that damp cold winters without snow, such as the ones he experienced while attending university in Manchester England, are very bleak indeed. Mom has always admired the lovely complexions of British women. I have come to the conclusion that their complexions are saved from sun damage because of the many cloudy and rainy days they experience in that part of the world.

Well Alex is no longer in England but now lives in the UAE with his dad, my Sandland brother. The weather there is excessively hot for much of the year, but is pleasant in the winter.

SLB had some sympathy after reading my wintery post yesterday and sent me pictures he took this past weekend. He has his own blog, but is more likely to write about off road adventures in the desert than about birds. These pictures were taken near Sur, Oman. The map above is in the Danish language but does show Oman in relation to the United Arab Emirates. It is worthwhile to click on the pictures to enlarge the details.

SLB noticed a plover of some type near the water. It is in the foreground above, but the flamingoes, background buildings and the soccer game on the beach are more interesting. He got an excellent shot of the bird in the next picture though. Those waves are inviting and the water looks more therapeutic than a chlorinated municipal pool.


Perhaps a world class birder can identify this shorebird. It is not in any of my North American bird guides.

This looks like a fine destination for a winter holiday to me!

Thanks to Dawn (who has been motor homing full time for 7 years!!) for submitting proof that the bird is an oystercatcher . Ruthie J also named it correctly.