Travels in Morocco – Introduction
Our weather has continued to alternate between spring-like temperatures and snow accompanied by freezing rain. When the skies have cleared, we have been able to follow the close approach and then the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in the early evening sky, as described by the science reporter in the Globe and Mail. On February 23rd, we caught the alignment of Venus, Jupiter and the Moon.
On milder days, we have been out for walks once the paths were clear of ice. On Wednesday, the sun was shining and many birds were singing – cardinals, crows, Downy Woodpeckers, House Sparrows and our first Red-winged Blackbird of the season.
Perhaps there will be an early spring, but there is more snow in the forecast. What better excuse do we need to visit warmer climates?
In April, 2014 we spent time travelling in Morocco with Susan’s brother, his partner, and Abdellah, our Moroccan guide. Spring was a wonderful time of year to visit Morocco. The countryside was covered in wildflowers and the newly planted fields and pastures were vibrant green.
We will focus on the landscape, flora and the few birds we managed to see. We were not yet birding. Glenn did not yet have an SLR camera or telephoto lens, but Susan’s brother did and provided many of the photos we will show you.
We landed in Casablanca and spent the night there before Abdellah drove us on to Fez the next morning to meet Susan’s brother. One of us awoke to the call to morning prayers (the other still slept). That morning, Abdellah deftly navigated the congestion of Casablanca and the highway to Rabat.
There we had time to explore Chellah, a city dating from the 7th or 8th century, probably Phoenician, as well as remnants of a subsequent Roman city known as Sala Colonia.
Here we encountered the first of many White Storks nesting in trees and on buildings. The storks winter farther south in Africa and migrate north to Morocco and other northern destinations to breed.
More of Morocco in the days to come.
Our orchids continue to cheer us through the winter, including this one that recently started to bloom.
Mendelson Joe was an eccentric Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, painter, and political activist who died recently. Here he sings the Canada Song illustrated by his art. You probably have to be Canadian to appreciate all of the references.
Glenn’s Music Videos
Just when I thought I might tire of the Clark family, this video made me smile.
Of course, I went looking for other versions of Long Tall Sally immediately. Let us start with the composer, Little Richard.
Little Richard was an early king of rock & roll. And he kept on rocking, here at age 60, ten years older than Muhammad Ali.