 Abu Dhabi city is one of the most modern in the world, featuring towering high-rise offices and apartment blocks, five-star hotels and immaculately landscaped gardens. The importance of falcons in the local culture is apparent by the preponderance of falcon logos, motifs, murals and other artwork throughout the city. This shot shows the roundabout next to the Hotel Intercontinental.
 A stone's throw away from the city can be found nesting osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Here an eyrie, clearly one built up annually over several years, is perched atop a tiny rock outcrop in the sea within sight of the city. Despite its proximity to an area busy with boat traffic, the osprey is left unmolested and itself remains undisturbed by the hubbub of city life.
At Dabb'iya archaeologists discovered an intricate ancient water catchment system on a flat-topped rocky sea stack. The adjacent deep water channel (permitting boat access) and extensive area of mangrove meant that, besides water which had otherwise to be 'trapped', there would have been ample supplies of natural resources in this area. Stone for building was also available locally. Close by on the island of Rufaiq a fishing settlement has recently been identified, although to date only exploratory excavation has been undertaken.
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