Birds & Volcanic Rocks & the Atlantic Ocean

Birds on the volcanic rocks surrounding the îles de la Madeleine, off the coast of Dakar, Senegal

Volcanic rock formations, weathered flat by the Atlantic Ocean in one of the bays of the larger island

Hello, birds!

I really liked the wings on the birds on the left rock.

The bay's beach.

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A Baobab on an Island

The lagoon of the îles de la Madeleine, off the coast of Dakar, Senegal

The islands are home to many birds. In fact, the smaller island has a strong white coloring to its volcanic rocks due to the birds answering nature's call.

This stunning baobab tree dominates the center of the island.

The center of the island, with its green and flowing, tall grass did call to mind dry, sandy, and dusty West Africa.

Two Senegalese pirogue drivers watch ex-pat sun bathers at the lagoon.

The water is deep enough in the lagoon for snorkeling.

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îles de la Madeleine

The entryway to the îles de la Madeleine, two small islands off the coast of Dakar, Senegal

There are several ship wrecks off the coast of Dakar..I suspect this is the remnants of one on the volcanic rocks on the islands of Madeleine

The only way to the island is via these small pirogues. The islands are uninhabited and nominated to the UNESCO world heritage list.  

Senegal already has the following places on the world heritage list:

-- Goree Island

-- Niokolo-Koba National Park -- UNESCO's description here

-- Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary -- UNESCO's description here

-- Saint-Louis

-- Stone circles of Senegambia -- UNESCO's description here

-- Saloum Delta

The bright greenery on the island is such a welcome change from Dakar's dust.

Another angle of the entry way into the island's lagoon.

The islands are four kilometers off Dakar's coast. Here's a view of the Plateau neighborhood of downtown Dakar.

Another view of Dakar from the islands.

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