Last stop: Beijing (again)
After Xi'an we returned to Beijing. We had two more days to spare beforing heading back home. We decided to visit the Great Wall one more time (we had visited on our previous trips, the most recent trip being one to Simatai (司马台) in 2009; and I had been there quite a few times when I went to college in Beijing). This time, we went to a different location -- Mutianyu (慕田峪).
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
Part of the Great Wall is pretty steep here, which makes it all the more fun.
My favorite composition is to frame the scenery with the window of the beacons.
It was a superb day, there was blue sky and green trees aplenty on the countryside (the same can hardly be said to metropolitan Beijing).
On this beautiful day, we decided to go to a second location -- the "Lakeside Great Wall" at Huanghuacheng (黄花城). The "lake" here is in fact a dammed up reservoir. Because of it, part of the Great Wall here is submerged.
Parts of the Great Wall here have succumbed to the elements, giving it a wild and authentic flavor, while other parts have apparently been repaired.
This is one of the sections of the Great Wall that went underwater.
It is indeed interesting to see a boat and the Great Wall juxtapositioned in the same picture.
Last look at the Great Wall before heading back to the city.
We spent our last day in the city, visiting the Temple of Heaven in the morning.
Then a leisurely stroll in Tiananmen Square.
All under Mao's ever-watchful gaze.
As far as bird photography was concerned, my results were poor -- mainly because I went to the Great Wall in the middle of the day when birds were scarce, and also because I took bird pictures in the city of Beijing when I first arrived, so mostly I saw familiar birds (the Temple of Heaven Park is a good birding destination). When I was at the Lakeside Great Wall, suddenly a bird dropped down to the lake. This was my last new bird (No. 21) of the trip -- fittingly, it was a Mandarin Duck (鸳鸯).
At the Temple of Heaven, I saw many Common Swifts (普通楼燕) circling the round building. Amazingly, they built their nests inside the temple! I saw them going into and out of the building, they must have built their nests on the ceiling or on the beams (their Chinese name means "building swifts", how fitting!).
At the Great Wall, there were many black birds, some were Common Raven (渡鸦), others I believe to be Large-billed Crows (大嘴乌鸦，not shown).
In the city, I also spotted (no pun intended) a Spotted Dove (珠颈斑鸠). It would be my last new "trip bird" (unique bird on this trip, but not a life bird for me).
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Great Wall
Dam at Huanghuacheng
Lakeside Great Wall
Lakeside Great Wall
Lakeside Great Wall
Lakeside Great Wall
Lakeside Great Wall
Temple of Heaven
Mao's Memorial
People's Heroes' Monument
Tianmen
Mao
Mandarin Duck (鸳鸯)
Common Swift (普通楼燕)
Common Raven (渡鸦)
Spotted Dove (珠颈斑鸠)
