Pato.

Pato.

Duck. 

Even though I've only been in Gijón for 3 days and spent around 70% of that time (not including sleeping) being lost, usually when trying to return from locations Google Maps helped me reach, I think I have discovered my favorite place.

Parque de Isabel La Católica, in L'arena area in the North-West of the city. 

This is not just an average park, it's even better than a theme park (oooooh I said it). It has a lake, not 1 but 2 play-parks, not that I go on them, I may break something, and it has AN AVIARY! 

Yes birds, lots of birds, or if you're Hitchcock, the birds! If you suffer form ornithophobia do not continue, there will be pictures. 

I was having a gander (!) in the park while waiting for a flat viewing, having turned up early thanks to my written, strict instructions, when a peacock appeared. On a wheelie bin.

I then proceeded on to find the biggest and fullest bird cage I'd ever seen, complete with 2 layers of grids to protect fingers and beaks. there were green parrots, rainbow coloured pheasants, a white peacock (looked like a snow queen) and many other multi-hued feathery things. Following the sound of crowing I peeped round the side to see an open topped enclosure; with emus!

For anyone, like me until recently, who hasn't seen an emu, they look a bit like a dinosaur who's hiding under a 70's feathered carpet. they stand and stare quite a bit as well. But they are cute. 

There was even a baby one in the bird cage. 

I think they're also cleverly compact-able and funny when they lie-down. 

I had another stroll around today and reached the lake. It was duck and swan galore. They had white and black swans (I'd never seen a black swan before), geese, big white ducks, standard British looking ducks, big grey ducks, big brown ducks and I swear I saw a mandarin drake as well. 

At the information board an English couple were discussing the birds they'd seen and, having noticed a white lump in the tree, I asked them what it was. I was congratulated on spotting an egret.  

And to end on a non-duck related note in my favorite place, I saw my first ardilla roja: