A swallow nest in the caruggio of Sestri Levante.
In spring and autumn, the caruggio of Sestri Levante is home every year to dozens of swallows that build their nests under balconies or beneath the awnings of the local shops.
It is one of those small natural spectacles that can be seen right in the center of town, without having to go anywhere special. All you need to do is look up while walking along the caruggio and, between the shops and old houses, you may find these little nests full of life.
The swallows fly above the houses, come and go from their nests and fill the street with their calls. Rather than simply chirping, as we often say, swallows chatter and twitter, and their distinctive calls immediately make me think of the warmer seasons.
This time I stopped to photograph one of the nests in the caruggio. The young birds, who are not really that small anymore, were waiting impatiently for their parents to return, ready for the next meal.
It is a very simple scene, but that is exactly what I like about it. The caruggio is normally associated with people, shops, walks and everyday life in Sestri Levante. In spring, however, it also becomes a small natural habitat for these birds, which return every year to occupy the same kinds of sheltered spaces.
Photographing a swallow nest in the middle of a town is a reminder of how nature can find its own space even in urban environments. A balcony, a shop awning or a small recess beneath a roof can become a safe place to build a nest and raise a new generation.
And then there are the young birds themselves, with their wide-open beaks and impatient expressions as they wait for one of their parents to return. It is the kind of scene that always makes me smile.
Sestri Levante is best known for the Bay of Silence, the Bay of Fables and its coastline, but the historic center and the caruggio also tell an important part of the story of everyday life in the town. Sometimes you simply have to look up to find something worth photographing.
This photograph is therefore a small tribute to the swallows that return to Sestri Levante every year and, with their flights and calls, bring a little extra joy to the heart of the town.
Have you ever noticed the swallow nests in the caruggio of Sestri Levante? Add a comment or go to the bottom of the site to read what other visitors have written.
Photos taken with Canon EOS RP and lens Tamron 16-300.
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