Salt Flats of Rasall

 Las Salinas del Rasall (Salt flats of Rasall) were built at the beginning of the 20th century on two old freshwater lagoons, these small salt flats were created by the hand of man diverting the Rambla from Cobatillas that fed the wetland. It is the first thing draws the traveler's attention when entering the eastern sector from the Calblanque Park. They are surrounded by a landscape similar to the African, so there are contrasts of great beauty". (Source: lamangaconsorcio.es)

So, at Regional Park of Calblanque you can visit that salt flats where migratory birds have found a place to rest. Indeed, most of them have found a place to live due to the warm climate at Region of Murcia.

The Origin of Calblanque Coastline

 A view from south of Calblanque coastline. At background right, the sand dunes of Calblanque beach. As I commennted in a previous post, that is a "young coast" in geological times.

A little bit of Geology: "The collision between the aforementioned plates (see previous post) caused an intense deformation of the crust and the emersion of the sediments that for more than 200 million years had been accumulating at the bottom of the Tethys Sea. In reality, the convergence process was more complex since the interaction of three plates occurred: the African plate in the South, the Iberian plate, differentiated from the European plate, in the North, and the Alboran microplate, located between them. The east-west displacement of the Alboran microplate was ultimately what determined the formation of the Betic mountain range. This displacement was very complex and caused compressive structures in some areas and extensional in others.

The mountains of Cartagena, and in general the extreme South of the Region of Murcia, belongs to the so-called Internal Zones of the Betic Mountain Range, also called the Betic Domain or the Alboran Domain. In it, the compressive forces caused not only the folding but also the metamorphism of the materials, also producing thrusts of up to hundreds of kilometers. The Mountains of Cartagena-La Unión, like the rest of the Betic Mountain Range (Cordillera Bética), began to emerge from the sea at the beginning of the Miocene Superior, just 20 million years ago. After its initial emergence, the primitive Mountains of Cartagena suffered important transformations. After an important phase of erosion, it was partially covered by a transgressive and tardiogenic neogenic series whose age ranges from the Serravallian to the Tortonian. When the pressures between the plates, at the end of the Miocene, there was a distension phase, producing deep fractures in the earth's crust that gave rise to an important magmatic activity in the area (postogenic magmatism). Thus, the volcanic complex of Campo de Cartagena and Mar Menor was formed, approximately at the same time as other volcanic complexes located further west of the mountain range, such as those of Mazarrón and Gata Cape." (Source: Guía Geológica del Parque Regional deCalblanque, Monte de las Cenizas yPeña del Águila)

The Force of the Sea

 This area of the coast of Calblanque area is being chiseled by the sea, as well as by the wind

Lonely Cove

 As I mentioned on previous posts, at coastline of Monte de las Cenizas and Calblanque there are many coves with difficult access. Although, when I took that picture it was a deserted beach, during summer season, it is usually ocupied from noon to the afternoon. And some of that coves used to be nudist beaches.

Creation Traces

Lots of coves (difficult to access) can be found along the coastline between Monte de las Cenizas and Calblanque, where you can see how the sediments have been arranged during the formation of these coastline and mountains. Experts said those are young formations, as it formed during the convergence process between the Iberian and African plates at the end of the Mesozoic and during the Cenozoic

Life Sprouts

 Life sprouts where it can.

I found that daisies? in a hidden cove with difficult access located between beaches of Las Cañas and El Barco. At Natural Park of Calblanque.

Laws of Nature

 Those jellyfishes were on the sand due to strong winds. That jellyfishes are "Pelagia nocticula", a luminiscent jellyfish. More about that kind of jellyfish on a previous post.

The picture was taken on April at Calblanque beach and that kind of situations use to occur at the end of August.

Pelagia Nocticula

 That kind of jellyfish is a luminiscent jellyfish. Is one the four most typical jellyfish at Mediterranean sea.

On image, that jellyfish is stranded on a karst rock due to strong winds on the coast. It has been located at Calblanque natural park.

Aboout that jellyfish: "It measures about 20 cm in diameter at most. It has a more bulky mushroom-shaped umbrella, four oral tentacles and 16 marginal ones that can be deployed more than 20 m in length.

It is a translucent jellyfish of a pink color. In addition, it is covered with reddish brown warts on the surface of the umbrela, arms and tentacles. These are accumulations of cnidocytes, that is, the urticarial cells that shed the venom.

As its name says, the luminescent jellyfish glows in the dark. During the night it radiates a light that serves to attract its prey, but also as a reaction when it is disturbed.

It lives in deep areas of the pelagic, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. But it approaches the coasts blown by the wind, especially in summer. It is one of the most poisonous species. Its sting is painful and causes intense irritation to the skin, which can cause blisters and ulcers." (Source: aquariumcostadealmeria.com)

Changing the Perspective

 Although I am going to post some pictures about that paradise beach that it is located at protected Regional Park of Calblanque, Monte de las Cenizas (mountain of ashes) and Peña del Águila (rock of the eagle) (visit labels), I would like to show other perspective: from the sand. There are some protected dunes as fossil dunes.

Through the hole made by the wind you can se the Mediterranean sea.

I See a Lighthouse in the Distance

 A landscape from Punta Barriga, between Cala Reona and Calblanque (Protected Regional Park). At background, Cabo de Palos town, cape and lighthouse.

During pandemic situation people has discovered forgotten places for walking or trekking. 

Click on image for more details.

Very Best Friends

 Image of the mining area from Cala Reona to Calblanque. In the foreground, a mining pit (protected by a curb of blocks) where someone has written a graffiti where you can read "I love you, hyper, mega, ultra friend."

Playing on the Sea

 That is to be on the right moment to take the picture.

That picture was taken at Mar Menor from La Manga. Mar Menor is the largest salt lagoon in Europe and it is the right perfect placefor sailing. And, from MurciaDailyPhoto we recommend you to do it on a sailing boat or canoe or to widsurfing.

Grosa Island

Grosa Island (Isla Grosa) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea, belonging to the municipality of San Javier in the Region of Murcia, at a distance of 2.5 kilometers from the north of La Manga del Mar Menor. It has an area of ​​17.5 hectares and exceeds an altitude of 90 meters.

Grosa Island (Isla Grosa) and the islet of Farallón (at the east of Grosa island), like the islands of the Mar Menor, are remains of the quaternary volcanism that took place in the entire Country of Cartagena area between 7.2 and 6.6 million years ago, during the Miocene .

The island forms a perfect volcanic cone, but quite eroded like most Murcian volcanoes. (Source: Wikipedia)

Although Isla Grosa is called part of the group of islands of the Mar Menor, that island is outside the Mar Menor.

Until 2000, it belonged to the Spanish army (training of special combat diver and explosives disposal units ). Since then it belongs to the Region of Murcia and is a center for the protection of flora and fauna (especially birds). Its waters are protected and they are a very interesting diving destination. 

The island was a refuge for pirates until the 18th century.

Baron's Island

 Major Island (Isla Mayor), also called Baron's Island (Isla del Barón), is a Spanish island located almost in the center of the Mar Menor in the municipality of San Javier in the Region of Murcia and, as its name suggests, it is the largest island in that sea, as well as the entire Region of Murcia (93.8 hectares). It is an extinct volcanic cone that gives the island its characteristic conical shape (104 meters high) and round perimeter. The island is privately owned. The name of Isla del Barón comes from the Barón de Benifayó, who built a neo-Mudejar style palace on this island, known as the Baron's house. (Source: Wikipedia)

Every island at Mar Menor were volcanos. Mar Menor is the largest salt lagoon in Europe.

A very interesting story about that place and its owners you can find here (it was also visited by Ava Gadner). In the following link you can find the text in English.

Castillejo de Monteagudo

 The Castillejo of Monteagudo (Castillejo = Little castle) is an old Andalusí palace complex that is located about 5 kilometers northeast of the city of Murcia, in the district of Monteagudo.

The current ruins of this fortified palace correspond to the old Qasr Ibn Sad, a residence that the Murcian Taifa (Kingdom of Murcia) king Ibn Mardanis ordered to be built on the outskirts of the city of Murcia in the 12th century.

The building was built on a small hill near the mountain where the Monteagudo castle is located. (Source: Wikipedia)

In a Cloudy Day

 Abandoned tower of a house an gas release valve.

Wild Flowers

 When you go to the country on April, wildflowers are surroundings. Three red poppys and more.

Sunrise at the Sea

 A few minutes since the sun goes fron dawn to sunrise, over the Mediterranean sea.

Percussion Instruments

 Previous to  a music concert. Drums, flamenco box drum, marimba, ...

At Conservatory of Music of Murcia.

With Another Look

 Looking through the window there was a former temporary exhibition of modern art using recycled parts. At former artillery barracks in Murcia.

High

 First hours of a day, certainly, it is dawning.

En la Huerta del Segura

 Dozens of centuries have shaped the garden/orchard of Murcia, although, today, few areas remain like the ones in the image, when 100 years ago it was the usual landscape of that municipality: The garden of Europe.

"En la huerta del Segura" is part of the lyrics of  famous Zarzuela "La Parranda" that is the unoficial hymn of Municipallity of Murcia. (huerta=orchard)

Beware of Dog

 A picture taken behind Castle of Monteagudo.

Flowers and Monteagudo

 A close-up of some flowers (I don't know their name) that generate a depth in the landscape that I love it. In the background, the Monteagudo mountain with its castle on top and, above it, the Christ of Monteagudo.

Arab Wall of Murcia

 As I commented on a previous post, This section of wall was inside the Convent of Verónicas (18th century). The Convent was partially demolished in 1985 as it threatened ruin, leaving one of the highest, longest and best preserved sections of the Wall in the air. Due the wall was "protected" in the monastery, it has survived to this day in such good condition. In this section you can see the Wall and the rampart. In the wall two towers are conserved, one of them practically complete that is embedded in the Church of Verónicas. This indicates the reuse that was made of the wall to build the convent.

Between the rampart and the wall there was a corridor called ravelin. Down this corridor the sentries made their rounds.

Located near Almudi Palace and Market of Verónicas at City of Murcia.

Ancient Watchtower

 This section of wall was inside the Convent of Verónicas (18th century). It is the only tower on the wall that remains today. The Arab wall of Murcia (Region of Murcia, Spain), is the old defensive structure of the city, built during the Andalusi period.

The wall remained in use until the end of the border character of the Kingdom of Murcia in 1488. It was built between 9th and 12th centuries.

This part of the ancient wall is located near Market of Veronicas and Almudi Palace at city of Murcia.

In the following post, a panoramic of that place.

The Raven and The Vulture

 That could be a fable tale but not, it is a photo taken at Terra Natura Murcia.

School Tunnel

 Located at Caravaca de la Cruz (Nortwest on Region of Murcia).

This street passes under the presbytery of the church of Santa Clara. The Society of Jesus established a college here in the late 16th century.

Urban Flowering

 Urban flowering at former artillery barracks. Murcia.

Murcia Skyline

 Skyline at city of Murcia at dawn.

Castle of Larache

 Castle of Larache is not a castle but it was an almunia (palace).It was built on 12th or 13th century.

It has a plant of 2,160 square meters integrated into a residential building surrounded by a walled perimeter (80 centimeters wide and 7 meters high).

The almunias were country houses for the medieval Islamic elites for their enjoyment, which also had farms.

It is located between Monteagudo and Cabezo de Torres villages (municipallity of Murcia)

The Orchard and The Castle of Monteagudo

 Image between lemmon trees with Castle of Monteagudo and Christ sculpture on the top of the hill at background.

Please, you can visit Monteagudo label to read more abot that place.

Working Day Dawn

 Monday, first day of the week. For some people they have Monday morning blues, but a dawn like that give us a great energy for staeting the week.

Balance Rope

 At a playground located here, for children from 6 to 12 years old, is that rope. 

Time for Walking

 Since started pandemic situation, people began to gor out for a walk. I think that people fled from their houses to full the streets, the ways, to do exercise.

About image. Although City of Murcia is a modern city (with many remains from muslim past, or from baroque, etc), if you follow the Segura river riverbank up or down, you will find the rural Murcia.

Bench for Relaxing

 This bench invite to seat and relaxing.

It is in a playground that is located at south of the city of Murcia, between right bank of Segura River, Almeria Avenue and El Carmen neighborhood.

Former La Molinera Chimney

 Another prespective for that industrial building. That kind of chimneys are protected heritage of cultural interest..

The information about that chimney, in a previous post.

La Molinera Chimney

 Built at the end of the 19th century, this fireplace was part of the La Molinera canning factory, which was in operation until the end of the 20th century.

A fireplace that easily exceeds 20 meters in height, rests on a quadrangular base and topped in its mouth by ornaments that were in fashion at the time.

This fireplace belonged to the canning factory that still bears the name "La Molinera" on the structure. Factory of great relevance for the economy of Murcia that, in 1897, Juan Esteve Canet brought the first canning factory to Murcia (Alcantarilla), with a revolutionary idea, then, for the preservation of food. And later, it was expanding at a regional level, such as that of the High Era, also dedicated to canning. 

It is located between Segura River, Ciudad de Almeria Avenue and Cartagena-Murcia dual-carriageway.

The Viewpoint

 On the left bank on the Segura River, at city of Murcia, it has been built that viewpoint

Behind, former Murcian Tourism School, now, The Open Faculty.

Industrial

 I had the opportunity to visit an air conditioned industrial installation. I loved that metal view.

Banco Vitalicio Building or Hispania Building

 That building was built between 1965 and 1969, so in 2019 turned 50 years.

It is one of the first projects carried out in the architects collaboration of Antonio Escario Martínez, José Antonio Vidal Beneyto and José Luis Vives Ferrero.

Its facade is organized in an overlap of horizontal bands of exposed reinforced concrete, combined with wooden carpentry. 

It is located at the crossroads of the Constitución Avenue, La Libertad Avenue and Gran Vía Avenue, this seventeen-storey tower is occupied by homes and offices 

Colourful Park

 From the last year, many parks have been renewal giving a looking like plenty of colours. 

Alone in the Country

 That lonely dry tree on the landscape paid my attention and I could not avoid to take that capture.

It could be the next frontpage from a book about inspiration, yoga, mistery, ... Which title do you put for that book, novel, etc?

The Hidden Lady

 If you pay attention you could find the lady.

I took the same image from other perspective on 2018, where you can read the complete story.

Palm Grove of Santiago & Zaraiche

 "The Palm Grove of Santiago y Zaraiche is located in the north of the City of Murcia, in the district of the same name. It is a natural space protected by the General Plan of Urban Planning of Murcia.

The historic 9,000 m2 orchard, was restored between 2015 and 2017, and thus put in value by the Murcia City Council in the face of high social demands since the fires, destruction, and mistreatment suffered by the emblematic Huerta palm grove were constant.

It is one of the most important elements of the natural heritage of the Murcia garden, as it houses specimens that are 150 years old, and represents a unique landscape landmark in the Region of Murcia." (Source: agendamenuda.es) I invite you to follow that link (Spanish) to know everything about that awesome place.

Almond blossom tree among lemon trees

 Almond blossom tree in a lemon tree grove.

Church of Corvera

Corvera was founded around 1636 (although remains of Iberian and Romans have appeared on surroundings).

With a population of just over eight hundred inhabitants dedicated to the production of cereal, oil and cattle, in the different hamlets scattered throughout its vast territory, also dedicated to hunting.

The church stands out for its square bell tower, and the white color with which it is painted. It has an emotional plaque to Don Antonio Pujante Alcaraz, parish priest of Corvera martyred by militiamen in 1936 

The Church on image is dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario, an advocation which is linked to the Dominican order and has become widespread since the 16th century, serving the community in the village itself and surrounding areas.

Moon at Corvera

 Hope that low light pollution could be maintained for ever to have the opportunity to see that sky.

Astronomical experts say that the better moment to watch the sky (the universe) is without Moon.

Sky from La Murta

 With no light pollution from La Murta (Corvera, Murcia). From astronomical observatory of La Murta esplanade, just ten minutes from midtown of Murcia

Astronomical Observatory of La Murta

 At Region of Murcia, there are two astronomical observatories. One of them is located in La Murta (Corvera), south-west of Municipality of Murcia (37°50′24″N 1°12′10″O). But it is closed since 2017.

It is located in the town of Corvera (very intersting place for rural tourism and for eating), and the surroundings are quite quiet and there is no light pollution on observatory surroundings.

The owner is the Murcia City Council and it was managing by Astonomical GroupAssociation of Region of Murcia, but in 2017 the contract expired and there is no information on when City Council are going to renew it.

"The one in La Murta was not only intended for astronomy fans and the general public to learn about this science from the Murcian sky, but it was also a research and scientific dissemination center in which the different comets were monitored. and asteroids and objects in the Solar System.

As a concrete example, the researchers discovered from their facilities twelve years ago a new asteroid that had a diameter of five kilometers and that was located between the planets Jupiter and Saturn. In addition, from La Murta they collaborated with NASA in the missions 'Deep Impact' and 'Darwin' and with the Institute of Space Sciences (CSIC-IEEC) and the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands for the study and analysis of minor planets," (Source: La Opinión de Murcia)