Reserva Laguna Nimez is a Patagonian wetland on the edge of El Calafate and only a mile walk from our apartment. We start off at 4pm on Saturday hoping to see a variety of the near 100 species of birds that occupy the reserve, but understanding that 70% of the species are migratory.
It feels like a longer walk than expected just to reach the Reserva - we have picked the hottest time of day on the warmest day of our visit in El Calafate. Oy! But after paying the modest admission fee we are soon rewarded with sights of Flamingo Austral's and Coscoroba Swan's in the closest lagoon. It feels a little cooler due to the stiff breeze coming off Lago Argentino which abuts the backside of the Reserva.
During our very slow stroll through the Reserva we capture photos of 12+ bird species including Upland Goose, Cattle Egret, Andean Ruddy Duck, Black-Crested Buzzard Eagle, Chimango Caracara Southern Lapwing and Black-Faced Ibis. We do not even try to photograph the smaller birds who seem to dart about at 100 kilometers an hour. It turns out to be a fun Saturday afternoon.
After a light dinner in the downtown area we return to the apartment toward sunset. As we are watching TV we hear some strange sounds. We look out our door to see two Black-faced Ibis staring down at us from the roof next door. They continue their vocalizing until they decide to go to sleep, tucking their heads under a wing.
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