The easiest way to get to the area is to take a flight either from Istanbul or Ankara. Turkish Airlines have daily flights from Istanbul and Ankara.
S O U T H E A S T E R N T U R K E Y
Southeastern Turkey/ mystical province
Urfa, general view and the acropol
Bald Ibis bird in the sanctuary in Birecik.
Birecik, Bald ibis sanctuary
Birecik is one of the last refuges and breeding grounds of the hermit ibis or bald ibis. It is a species so close to extinction, in 1973 only 25 breeding pairs remained. The hermit ibis, had become a creature of legend. It was rediscovered near Birecik in 1839 by the British traveler W. F. Ainthworth. The Turks have long regarded it as almost a sacred bird, since its migration route roughly follows the pilgrim road to Mecca. Of 500 pairs counted in the 1950s. Unfortunately, they were largely killed by agricultural insecticides. Since 1989 there have been no breeding pairs in the wild. None of the birds bred in captivity have yet been successfully released.
Hasankeyf, the tomb and the old city on the hill
Diyarbakir, stone house built of local volcanic stones
Diyarbakir, kids delivering local pita bread
Hasankeyf, flock grazing by the river Tigres
Urfa, raising pigeons is a popular hobby in the city
