The
Sardinians call the flamingos
that strut about the various
lagoons sa gente arrubia or
“the rose colored folk.” Sardinia
also has a fascinating underwater
world which can best be observed
at one of the island’s protected
submarine areas.
And
with luck you might also catch a glimpse
of frolicking dolphins off the coast
of the Maddalena archipelago in the
north or Cape Carbonara in the south.
Even the nearly extinct monk’s seal
can be seen now and again.
Flora&Fauna
Flora
and FaunaUnspoiled natural areas and
abundant species of wildlife make
Sardinia a heavenly place to be for
anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
The island’s out of the way location
also creates ideal habitat conditions
for its indigenous plants and animals.
In Sardinia it is nature, not people,
that holds sway over the landscape.
Even the increase in tourism in recent
years has done nothing to disturb
this equilibrium.
More
enlightened attitudes fostered by education
and reinforced by the Sardinians’ deeply
rooted awareness of the importance of
living in harmony with nature have combined
to produce an environmental awareness
that is unmatched in the Mediterranean
region. The habitats of the island’s
wildlife have been safeguarded against
the risks attendant upon increasing
tourism through the creation of a mammoth
national park and nature reserve in
the Gennargentu mountains.
Cork,
holm oak, alder and yew forests abound
with wild pigs, wildcats, Sardinian
deer, falcons, golden eagles, mouflon
(wild sheep), kites, black vultures
and bearded vultures. Sardinia’s high
plateaus are also home to herds of wild
horses.The maquis spreads its evocative
scent practically everywhere in Sardinia
and in spring weaves a blanket of brightly
colored blossoms across the entire island.
During the summer months, the spicy
scent of lavender, thyme, myrtle and
rosemary emanating from it is particularly
aromatic.
Maquis
vegetation, which usually starts quite
close to Sardinia’s idyllic beaches,
covers the island’s hills and mountains
with mastic trees, laurel, Arbutus,
Smilax, broom and Cistus, while lushly
blooming oleander bushes dot the landscape
with brilliant color.Along the coast
can be found juniper, cluster pine and
Aleppo pine, all of which are home to
numerous species of bird.
