Here is a short summary of my recent visit to the Rhône Delta for the celebration that attracts a large audience of people from the South of France but very few visitors from the rest of Europe. Above: Chapelle de Pive, a little architectural jewel cherished in the domain of the Jeanjean Winery (more pics in this article)

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Festival Abrivado

Every year, November 10th and 15th, a large number of riders and enthusiasts to follow them, converge on Saintes Maries de la Mer, in the South of France for the Festival Abrivado. It has been estimated that about 1000 horses show up on the East beach for this picturesque extravaganza.

Nikon D810, 95mm (24-120.0mm ƒ/4) 1/50 swc ƒ/11 ISO 64

Nikon D810, 120mm (24-120.0mm ƒ/4) 1/200 sec ƒ/11 ISO 100

Nikon D750, 400mm (80-400.0mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1250 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

Nikon D750, 300mm (80-400.0mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

Nikon D810, 50mm (24-120.0mm ƒ/4) 1/1250 sec ƒ/9 ISO 400

More pics about it in this article.

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Pont de Gau Ornithological Park

A few kilometers from Saintes Maries de la Mer, a sixty hectare natural environment, replicating the features of the Delta, nests a large number of bird species, both sedentary and migratory.

I was carrying the Nikon D750 with the Sigma 150-600 on a tripod on my left shoulder, the other Nikon hanging on my right shoulder, when I saw the blue heron taking-off. Luckily enough the camera was already set and the light just fine. Nikon D810, 86mm (24-120 ƒ/4) 1/1250sec ƒ/8 ISO 400

Little egret (Egretta garzetta). Nikon D750, 600mm (Sigma 150-600 ƒ/5-6.3) 1/1000 sec ƒ/7.1 ISO 100

Pied avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta). Nikon D750, 600mm (Sigma 150-600 ƒ/5-6.3) 1/1600 sec ƒ/13 ISO 800

Mute swan (Cygnus olor). Nikon D750, 600mm (Sigma 150-600 ƒ/5-6.3) 1/1600 sec ƒ/13 ISO 800

Blue heron (Ardea herodias). Nikon D750, 400mm (80-400 ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1000 sec ƒ/7.1 ISO 1600

Flamingos were considered by the Ancient Egyptians to be the living representation of the god Ra. Nikon D750, 400mm (Sigma 150-600 ƒ/5-6.3) 1/1600 sec ƒ/13 ISO 800

Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis). Nikon D810, 600mm (Sigma 150-600 ƒ/5-6.3) 1/80 sec ƒ/6.3 ISO 400

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Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral in Maguelone

«An enormous stone vessel come aground between the marshes and the see».

The main door of the Maguelone Cathedral. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/160 sec ƒ/11 ISO 64

The vineyard at sunset. The domain produces a finest Grès de Montpellier. Nikon D810, 14mm (14-24.0 mm ƒ/2.8) 1/160 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

Marshes round the site of the Cathedral. Nikon D810, 16mm (14-24.0 mm ƒ/2.8) 1/80 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

Two visitors testing the Cathedral acoustics. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 0,5 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 800

Chapelle Saint-Augustin is the oldest building of the complex. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/25 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

More pics about it in this article

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Adieu a Garlan

«You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back.»
(William D. Tammeus)

Merry-go-round. Nikon D810, 40mm (24-120.0 mm ƒ/2.8) 1/500 sec ƒ/13 ISO 800

The lone rider. Nikon D810, 40mm (24-120.0 mm ƒ/2.8) 1/500 sec ƒ/13 ISO 800

Mas de Baumelle. Nikon D750, 80mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1600 sec ƒ/14 ISO 800

Abrivado. Nikon D750, 220mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1250 sec ƒ/11 ISO 800

Tourou cocardier. Nikon D750, 120mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1250 sec ƒ/11 ISO 800

Tourou cocardier et Raseteur. Nikon D750, 120mm (80-400.0 mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 1/1250 sec ƒ/11 ISO 800

More pics about it in this article

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People of the Delta

All shots taken from the steps of the Arena in Saintes Maries de la Mer.

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Arbitrary imaging

Just for the sake of it.

A log on the western beach at sunset. Nikon D810, 24mm (24.0mm ƒ/1.4) 1/100 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

The “Lion” can be rough. Nikon D810, 30mm (24-120.0mm ƒ/4) 1/500 sec ƒ/11 ISO 100

Salin de Giraud. Nikon D810, 120mm (24-120.0mm ƒ/4) 1/125 sec ƒ/6.3 ISO 64

Ètang des massoucles, just in front of our hotel, at dawn. Nikon D750, 400mm (80-400.0mm ƒ/4.5-5.6) 0,6 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 100

The author on field. Camargue 2015.

Camargue, Le Petit Mas des Barres, Saintes Maries de la Mer. Nikon D810, 86 mm (24-120.0 mm ƒ/4) 1/800