Pinar de Abantos (Private Tour for Keerthana, from Oman).

A few weeks ago we received an e-mail from Keerthana, from Oman. In a few days she would visit Madrid with her family, and requested a private tour to know our nature.

We chose to take them through our daily route, the Pinar de Abantos Route, an itinerary that offers sightings of fauna, flora and spectacular landscapes. As soon as we started walking, we found a Ladder Snake (Rhinechis scalaris). Keerthana was very frightened... it seems that in India, where she and her family are, snakes are very dangerous. However, our snake is completely harmless. 

Culebra de Escalera (Rhinechis scalaris).

Keerthana's family is charming. Mony, her husband, does not lose detail with the binoculars, and her daughters, Ananya and Aradhana, are curious and ask about everything that draws attention to them.

The Jara (Cistus ladanifer) has attracted much attention to them, a sticky plant with a sweet fragance and its beautiful flowers.

Jara Pringosa (Cistus ladanifer).

They also caught the attention of the "Dedalera" (Digitalis thapsi), one of the most striking flowers of granite rocks in the Guadarrama Mountains.

Dedalera (Digitalis thapsi).

Sustained they stayed when they saw the Rabilargo (Cyanopica cyanus), a bird native to China, but also resident in the western half of the Iberian Peninsula.

Rabilargo (Cyanopica cyanus).

They also got to know the Jay (Garrulus glandarius), the keeper of our forests. He alerted  as we walked through the woods.

Arrendajo (Garrulus glandarius).

 They enjoyed the ride and the beautiful scenery...

Another of the creatures that frightened Keerthana, our Lizard the "Lagartija Colilarga"(Psammodromus algirus), an exclusive species of the Mediterranean region.

Lagartija Colilarga (Psammodromus algirus).

A Green Frog (Pelophylax perezi) hides in the depths of a pond in the Romeral stream.

Rana Verde (Pelophylax perezi).

And we could not miss the Vultures, our Buitre Leonado (Gyps fulvus), who name our mountain, "Mount Abantos". 

These enormous carrion birds nest in the cantilies of Mount Abantos. We were able to see them with the help of binoculars. 

Buitre Leonado (Gyps fulvus).

They could also see the Blue Climber, the "Trepador Azul" (Sitta europaea), one of the most popular birds in the Pinar de Abantos, recognizable for their ability to climb the tree trunks.

Trepador Azul (Sitta europaea).

As we advanced in the forest, we discovered some of the best secrets of Mount Abantos, the area of European Beeches and Larches, a delightful walk under the grateful shade of these trees, which we certainly appreciate.   

Under one of the Larches, we found a mushroom, probably it is Suillus grevillei, a mycorrhizal fungus of the genus Larix. 

Boleto Elegante (Suillus grevillei).

Arriving at the end of our tour, we take them to one of our favorite spots, an excellent balcony overlooking of the Abantos forest.

It is a privileged place from where we can observe in detail the whole itinerary we have done.

Another of the aromatic plants that we observed was the Thyme (Thymus zygis), a spice that Keerthana knew well.

Tomillo (Thymus zygis).

Finally, we returned to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in time for our companions to arrive and catch the train back to Madrid. A pleasure to accompany you throughout this day.

Thank you for your visit and for choosing us to enjoy Ecotourism. Happy return to Oman!

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