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All the photos to equipment of this page web have been released
from Massimo Natale during the excursion on of continuation here narrated the Nebrodi
Mounts
The photographic hunting and the observation of the Birds in their natural
atmosphere represent, of sure, one of the moments sportswomen and move them 
more pleasant
for who have the taste, like me, for the Ornitofilia. Personally, I have dedicated to my
attentions of Ornithologist amateur and improvised photographer towards the Species Carduelis
carduelis of other song my preferred one from a point of view is of the breeding that
of the personal taste, and to the behavioural habits to the wild state of this Species I
have dedicated an entire one understood it in the book " Il
Cardellino Eurasiatico ".
But every excursion becomes, however, one valid occasion in order " to spy " and
to photograph the Birds, all indiscriminately, in this accompanying from the monofoot and
my faithful zoom from 500 milimeter.
Today you story a excursion on the Nebrodi Mounts (than
united to the Peloritani Mounts and the Madonie constitutes the Sicilian Appennino), whose
Park, with its 85.000 hectares of protect territory, is placed between the first places in
Italy in how much to protected areas. In this virtual travel the reader will be able to
consult the map to equipment, whose numerical chara cterization marks it the mains points
of the distance from we lead.
The Park of the Nebrodi demonstrates
nearly metaphysical a naturalistic beauty, indeed being involved, in the summery of spring
season when simpler not only appears the observation of the Birds, but during all the arc
of the year, also when the snow grazes or sweeps up the vegetation, and on the
snow, to
make from feints masters, the Fringuelli (Fringilla coelebs) to the deprived of
hope search of some dry seed in order to pull the day.
Point of departure of this excursion has been the country of Galati Mamertino (1) ,
small mountain center (796 m.s.l.m.) scrambled up on massive the limestone mesozoici of
the Nebrodi mounts. Exceeded the fraction of S. Basilio Magno (2 ), we
approach the 900 meters of quota, catching up the ancient rural center and peasant of S.
George (3) , at this point deserted. In the up to now
covered way in Jeep, we have already observed various Species of Birds: they make from
landla dies the
Ballerina Gialla (Motacilla cinerea) than
in the humid zones to behind of the water course, they nest in abundance and they are
relatively easy is from observing that to photograph.
But also the Goldfinch, in pasture on the Thistles, and the Verzellini (Serinus
serinus), with their rowdy flight made of chirrupings, is easy observable
here. The
Merlons to dart literally to the far away warning of human presence, appearing
between the Species more difficult for the drawn near photos. In locality Portella Lastrà (4 ), we catch up the 1200
meters of quota and the road begins less and less to being delimited. The objective is
that one to catch up Cartolari locality avoiding the turn for Tortorici and
crossing, to
the scope, various " Greenhouses " and  muleteer. The opening of cancels in
iron, necessary in order to prevent the escape of the numerous herds of
cows, is
more a ritual that an annoyance. The Saltimpalo (Saxicola
torquata) from
its proverbiale emplacement of lookout-post (to which it must, between the other the
common name), seems watching silent but interested to the human vicissitudes, at least to
judge from the way in which us observe, much to always seem the same one who some
kilometer before made to peep from a bush.
The Zigoli muciatti (Emberiza cia), some yellow Zigolo (Emberiza
citrinella) and, on the top of the trees or razzolando to the ground, some Fringuello
(Fringilla coelebs), characterize the local birds.
The characteristic humid zones, in a spot of characterized vegetation, between 800 and i
1200 m, from boschive formations which the Cerro, the Roverella, the Sughera, the wild
Melo etc, accompany also to the presence of numerous bushes of Agrifogli (Ilex
aquifolium) and Hawthorn (Crataegus monagyna) , where a Pettirosso (Erithacus rubecola) by far exceeds the over-confidence of
the Saltimpalo, remaining around our emplacement for beyond a longest minute, and granting
themselves therefore to true reportage a photographic one.
From Plan of Fave (5 ) to Contrada Dacara (6, ca.
1500m), we catch up, all in cross-country vehicle, finally the border of Tortorici and the
prefixed goal appears more neighbor now. In these zones of high mountain, where the
vegetation makes more oadstead and often leaves the place landscapes brulli of montani
pastures, we have been able to observe, even if to relative distance, so me etological
moments to you to the Culbianco (Oenanthe
oenanthe) the male lover its
female, with one adorned made loving of moine and backs. " It recites " of the love and the conquest of the spouse is entrusted to
the tail of the male, opened to fan and to some steps of dance you execute yourself to
short distance from the female. The vehemence of a cow breaks off the spell and convinces
the brace to withdraw far away from indiscreet looks, after is granted to some photo,
unfortunately, to excessive distance. Finall y, exceeded Sink They pay (7 ), the goal is near and, constantly
accompanies to you from novels of grey Corn acchia and from those of Gazza
(Pica pica), abundantly outside from the nests in this season, we catch up
locality Cartolari Liperni (8) , than with its
magnificent Small lake us it repays of all the tranformation physical hards work in
enjoyments moves them.
The aquatic avifauna is nearly all present, but not release neither a photo, remember
of one my previous excursion in this zone, when, lacking in camera, I observed of the
Fanelli (Achantis cannabina) with red on chest and a truly incredible
forehead. This is zone of nidificazione of the Fanelli (is beyond the 1500m!) and I would
want just to lie in wait for for photo the scene of the nutrition of the father to
the youngs.
Well yes, I would have intentional to photograph the Fanelli, but nothing to
make,
neanche 
the shadow of a nest where to lie in wait for for immortalare the
dreammed scenes.
In compensation, the abundance of Allodole concurs to find us of quite
the perfectly camouflaged nest in the land. The small are already to fly, but still in the
environs, much to succeed to take some photo wh ere photo their incredible camouflage
ability. We go via, tires but satisfied, releasing, during the reduction, of the ulterior photos
to the intente Upupe to the " earth bath ".
With respect and emotion we greet, to dusk, the hinterland of the Park of the
Nebrodi,
sure not to be able to lack the next appointment with the Saltimpalo.
Massimo Natale, 28/07/'00
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