No we haven't deserted the blog :)
We were just so busy completely living outdoors this season. What amazing winters we have during winter in UAE.
Been exploring outdoors as much as we can and are going to be bringing all our expeditions to you :).
There is a place we wanted to visit for a long time but were waiting for the right season.
The RAS AL KHOR WILD LIFE SANCTUARY.
Ras Al Khor is a protected wetland right in the middle of the skyscrapers of DUBAI.
With a view of Burj Khalifah, and the wide laned roads filled with traffic, this place is a sharp contrast. Quiet, fenced off, and brimming with life.
The place is very famous for the pink-legged Flamingos.
The reserve has three viewing hides and we chose the one closest to us as we took the U-turn. Sadly for us the flamingos stood at the other end of the santuary. And would have been a great photographing opportunity from the other hides. We had to pacify ourselves with the view through the telescope, which we could not capture on camera :/. The reserve has free entry, 9am to 4pm Saturday through Thursday, and attracts, nature lovers , bird watchers, photographers, school children and families.
Apart from flamingos we spotted many other species of birds and the wetlands were brimming with fish. Ras Al Khor is frequented by many migratory birds.
The hides are equipped with a telescope and a few binoculars. But we spotted some serious bird-watchers with their amazing gear. So if you own any professional camera, binocular or telescope, this is the best place to put it to use.
RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
25.19562°N 55.34380°E
Free Entry
9 am to 4 pm
ZABEEL PALACE GARDENS and their Peacocks
Our next stop was to the Palace of the ruler of DUBAI. In front of the sprawling palace lies a well manicured garden. This garden is famous for peacock spotting.
Parking our car, we walked towards the garden and saw this fancy DUBAI Police vehicle on display.
The love of horses that the rulers nourish was very evident in the statues of horses that adorned the palace and its gates.
Anyways we shifted our attention back to sighting some peacocks. Heeding to their calls we looked around and found a few of them strolling around. May be because of the afternoon being a little bit sultry, not many were in view.
Seeing the peacocks in their elements, prancing about the greens was just amazing. Their colors glistening in the sunlight. We started praying for a bit of drizzle from the clouds so that the peacock would open up its beautiful feathers. But, sadly for us, none of that happened:/
Still it was amazing to see these majestic birds up close. Some pictures for you guys to feast your eyes on the peacock that was curious enough to come check us out :).
There you have it. Two bits of places you must take kids to in winter in Dubai, bringing them closer to nature.
Have you been animal or bird spotting anywhere else within the city?
See ya!
Farz & Zain
We were just so busy completely living outdoors this season. What amazing winters we have during winter in UAE.
Been exploring outdoors as much as we can and are going to be bringing all our expeditions to you :).
There is a place we wanted to visit for a long time but were waiting for the right season.
The RAS AL KHOR WILD LIFE SANCTUARY.
Ras Al Khor is a protected wetland right in the middle of the skyscrapers of DUBAI.
With a view of Burj Khalifah, and the wide laned roads filled with traffic, this place is a sharp contrast. Quiet, fenced off, and brimming with life.
 |
| The skyline of DUBAI and the wetlands - a striking diversity |
The place is very famous for the pink-legged Flamingos.
The reserve has three viewing hides and we chose the one closest to us as we took the U-turn. Sadly for us the flamingos stood at the other end of the santuary. And would have been a great photographing opportunity from the other hides. We had to pacify ourselves with the view through the telescope, which we could not capture on camera :/. The reserve has free entry, 9am to 4pm Saturday through Thursday, and attracts, nature lovers , bird watchers, photographers, school children and families.
 |
| One of the Hides |
 |
| The only 3 birds that decided to entertain us :/ |
 |
| A much more amazing view with the telescope- a close up of the flamingos |
 |
| Haha! our camera couldn't pick up an amazing shot of the flamingos. So here is a pic from the poster thats up in the hide |
Apart from flamingos we spotted many other species of birds and the wetlands were brimming with fish. Ras Al Khor is frequented by many migratory birds.
The hides are equipped with a telescope and a few binoculars. But we spotted some serious bird-watchers with their amazing gear. So if you own any professional camera, binocular or telescope, this is the best place to put it to use.
Loved this place, hoping that next time we will be lucky with the hide we chose.
RAS AL KHOR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
25.19562°N 55.34380°E
Free Entry
9 am to 4 pm
ZABEEL PALACE GARDENS and their Peacocks
Our next stop was to the Palace of the ruler of DUBAI. In front of the sprawling palace lies a well manicured garden. This garden is famous for peacock spotting.
Parking our car, we walked towards the garden and saw this fancy DUBAI Police vehicle on display.
The love of horses that the rulers nourish was very evident in the statues of horses that adorned the palace and its gates.
Anyways we shifted our attention back to sighting some peacocks. Heeding to their calls we looked around and found a few of them strolling around. May be because of the afternoon being a little bit sultry, not many were in view.
Seeing the peacocks in their elements, prancing about the greens was just amazing. Their colors glistening in the sunlight. We started praying for a bit of drizzle from the clouds so that the peacock would open up its beautiful feathers. But, sadly for us, none of that happened:/
Still it was amazing to see these majestic birds up close. Some pictures for you guys to feast your eyes on the peacock that was curious enough to come check us out :).
There you have it. Two bits of places you must take kids to in winter in Dubai, bringing them closer to nature.
Have you been animal or bird spotting anywhere else within the city?
See ya!
Farz & Zain
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I had no idea Dubai had a wetland centre - what a great place to explore the local wildlife. Last time we were there I was surprised to see some peacocks wandering around an area of the hotel! Glad to have found your blog. You may be interested in the linky I run every Tuesday about city life called City Tripping. Hope to see you there sometime. #whatevertheweather
ReplyDeleteWelcome to our blog, Wander Mum. Yup Dubai is a city of everything, the entire country actually is amazing! Would love to be a part of your linky.
DeleteI love wetland centres. I love your pictures too, the peacocks are so beautiful and what a great close up of the flamingos. Dubai is so beautiful, I hope to visit one day. I never knew they had a wetland centre. Thank you so much for linking up to #whatevertheweather this year and supporting our linky! We really love reading about your family adventures. I hope we see you again next year. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Chloe!
DeleteDubai and the whole of UAE have many wetland centers, that are a breath of nature among the usual landscape. Thank you for your wishes. Wishing you an amazing new year ahead!
I do love flamingos - what a surprise to find them in Dubai! And great days out with kids too. #citytripping
ReplyDeleteHello there! Yes it was an amazing day trip for our daughter. Wishing you a great new year!
DeleteI haven't been to Dubai but have friends who keep going back because they love it so much. What a shame you didn't see any birds at the reserve. We have a nature reserve near us in the UK where you can see lots of migratory birds. Nothing quite as spectacular as flamingos though :) #citytripping
ReplyDeleteHello Claire! Dubai is an amazing place, the other emirates which together form UAE are great too.
DeleteWe did see the flock of flamingos through the telescopes, just couldn't catch it on camera though. Flamingos are a hit always, aren't they? :)
Me again visiting from #citytripping Would love to see Flamingos! Such a hit!! Thanks so much for linking up to #citytripping Have a wonderful New year!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting! Wish you an amazing New year too!
DeleteA shame you didn't get close-up to the flamingo's, but at least you had a few birds to entertain you and you can come back another day. Love watching peacocks strut around, we have a few at the different parks and gardens in Scotland. You must be having a great time now the weather has cooled down a little. Not sure I could cope with hot weather all year round, but is we come over on holiday for a couple of weeks it will definitely be in winter! Thanks so much for linking up your lovely and informative posts on #Whatevertheweather this year, I love to read your posts. Have a great 2016, Happy New Year! :) x
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny!
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely taking a trip again. Yes the weather is amazing! November to February is the best time to be in Dubai. Thank you for #Whatevertheweather Jenny. Wish you an amazing 2016 too :)