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by dbostedo on Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:20 pm
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dbostedo
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I'm going to be on Sao Miguel island in the Azores for a few days in late April, and I was just wondering if anyone has been there and has any suggestions for :

-- Good shooting spots (of course :D)
-- Good day hikes
-- Whale watching/snorkeling operators
-- Any other advice

Thanks!
David Bostedo
Vienna, VA, USA
 

by Alexandre Vaz on Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:55 pm
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Hi there!

Açores is a magnificent archipelago and São Miguel is the biggest and probably the most diversified island. The Western group is very popular for European birders because it´s the one where they can spot more neartic species. Pico island is the best for wale watching, but São Miguel is the only island with a true endemic bird species, the prioulo (Pyrrula murina). If you are into birdwatching you should definitely drive to the northeast os the island (Serra da Tronqueira and Pico da Vara) to look for this species. Check it out:
http://vimeo.com/43384712
You can talk to SPEA-Açores (Bird conservation NGO) for some specific details: http://www.spea.pt/en/
I have not many info on snorkeling sites, but if you want I can check with some friends who are very experience divers in the region.
Also you can check here for some coordinates of birding sites:
http://www.birdingazores.com/?page=coordinates_2
Feel free to ask any specific informations.
Cheers
a
 

by dbostedo on Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:27 pm
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Thanks Alexandre! I'm not much of a birder, but I like having that information if I get the chance see it, or to photograph it.

Any info on snorkeling sites or dive operators (who operating snorkeling trips) would be most welcome.
David Bostedo
Vienna, VA, USA
 

by Peter McCabe on Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:11 pm
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HI David - I was there a few years back and it is a wonderful place to visit. Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) is amazing, and well worth a visit, an image I took can be viewed at the following url - ( http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fire ... ccabe.html ) The village of Furnas has a wonderful tropical garden and volcanic spring. The village itself has numerous volcanic pools, that are sometimes used for cooking. The smell takes some getting used to.

Enojoy, it is a place I intend returning too.
Peter Mc Cabe - Landscape Photographer Website Facebook YouTube
 

by dbostedo on Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:17 pm
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Thanks Peter. I'm staying in Caloura, near Lagoa do Fogo, so I'm pretty sure we'll be hiking around there. Very nice photo!
David Bostedo
Vienna, VA, USA
 

by Alexandre Vaz on Sun Mar 10, 2013 11:13 am
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Apparently Caloura along with Ilhéu de Vila Franca and Ferraria is one of the best diving spot on the island.
Regarding walewatching, consider this options:
https://www.azoreswhalewatch.com
http://picosdeaventura.com/pt/
http://www.futurismo.pt/futurismo/
You should book your trip in advance
Good luck.
 

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