ワートホークの天然記念物・トップ13

Harlingen was once a center of whaling. Today, we no longer seek to kill these great and magnificent animals, but rather to save them from death. Especially since, for unknown reasons, they are now increasingly stranded in shallow waters. The Harlingen fountain is a life-size sperm whale. It lies lost in the Zuiderpier, but every now and then its powerful jet of water reveals that it is very much alive. Thus, "The Whale" reminds us of the profound influence that humans have on all that lives in the sea. You can reach the fountain by strolling along the wall on the left side of the harbor. Almost opposite the Harlingen harbor crane as the crow flies is the whale – the Harlingen fountain. https://www.bloggmaus.de/2022/04/elfstadtetour-11-fountains-in-friesland.html

The bat fountain is part of a project of 11 such fountain objects in the region

beautiful there

Peace, vastness, and rugged nature are paramount here. The nature reserve is part of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and covers over 4,200 hectares. Enjoy the green summer polders, colorful salt marshes, and muddy mudflats, or visit the Terp fan de Takomst (Terp of the Future).

The bat fountain is located in Bolsward directly in front of the church and is therefore very idyllic. I found this fountain very interesting, somewhat simply designed but still very impressive! I actually overcame my fear, climbed the stairs up to the bat, stood still for 3 photos and then bravely climbed back down again. ;-)

The Wadden Sea (Frisian: Waadsee, German: Wattenmeer) is a marginal sea between the Wadden Islands and the North Sea on one side and the mainland of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark on the other. The area stretches between Den Helder in the Netherlands and Esbjerg in Denmark, has a length of 500 km and an average width of 20 km. The area is about 10,000 km², of which about 7,500 km² are tidal areas (mudflats and sandbanks), 1,100 km² are islands and 350 km² are salt marshes and summer polders. The rest consists of shipping canals. Several rivers flow into the Wadden Sea. The estuary expanded into an estuary such as the Dollart, the Lauwerszee, the Middelzee and the Zuiderzee. The Wadden Sea has great natural value and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The World Heritage covers more than 12,000 km², including the transition area to the North Sea (approx. 4,000 km²). The Wadden Islands of the Netherlands and Schleswig-Holstein and the estuaries of the Ems, Outer Jade, Weser and Elbe are largely excluded. However, these areas mostly fall under the Natura 2000 regime. The protection measures are coordinated by the International Wadden Sea Secretariat in Wilhelmshaven, in which the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark work together. The Wadden Sea is not only a nature reserve, but also important for fishing, recreation, mineral extraction and other economic activities. The Dutch Wadden Sea area was declared state property in 1981 and assigned to the provinces of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen. In 1986 the Wadden Sea was also divided into municipalities. Fantastic nature and great cycling paths.

North Fryslân Bûtendyks (language: Frisian) is a nature reserve in the Dutch province of Friesland, located in the municipalities of Waadhoeke and Northeast Friesland. North Fryslân Bûtendyks is located in the area of simmering polders with drinking water, salt marshes, and salt marsh wormwood. Every year, more than a million birds come here to seek food and rest. Not only the countless wading birds are worth seeing, but also the unique salt marsh plants. In spring, you can see fresh green samphire in the mudflats, and in autumn, flowering salt marsh plants turn the salt marshes red. The nature reserve is part of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.

An impressive sight, as one might think the whale was real and stranded.