Gran Paradiso Wildlife / Tour Report June 2019
We welcomed our guests under a much better weather than expected. To start this 3 day wildlife photo tour in Grand Paradiso National Park in Italy, we hiked up to the refuge where would stay both nights. The idea is to have the accommodation as our base camp, and explore a different area around it every day.
On the first part of our hike, we went through a beautiful forest and the sightings were already fantastic. Several beautiful bird species including a rare Griffon Vulture flying above us, two Red Squirrels and several Chamois. Then we found a group of male Alpine Ibex right next to the path. We took the opportunity to drop our bags, admire them, photograph them, and have a picnic! : D
Once at the refuge, we settled in our rooms and then came out again to enjoy this beautiful first day a little more.
The day ended around a good meal preceded by an aperitif during which all the participants were able to share their experience and show their best images of the day.
The second day was exceptional from the first to the last minute. We had a very early breakfast in order to enjoy the beautiful morning light outside. Then we explored around the refuge and the sightings were incredible, both in quantity and quality: Golden Eagle, Bearded Vulture, Ibex, Chamois, Roe Deer, Marmots, Yellow-billed Choughs, Red-billed Choughs, Northern Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush, etc etc. We have encountered all the iconic animals of the park, and so much more. Here are some highlights in pictures.
After dinner, we went out for a last photo session hoping to live a last scene, a last moment of wild beauty in nature. We were more than rewarded when this Ibex was on the ridge in a sky on fire breathtaking.
For the third and final day of this nature photo trip to the Gran Paradiso, we started even earlier. Here again, the observations did not stop. We never spent more than 5-10 minutes without seeing anything. What to fill our participants!
As we finished our last picnic in nature, a bearded vulture came to say hello, flying a few meters above our heads, and turning around us several times before leaving, as to tell us at see you again, and see you soon! A real gift of nature. An exceptional moment!
During this photo trip to the Gran Paradiso, our participants filled their hearts and their memory cards with imperishable memories. The group got along very well. We were like a group of friends. So it was with big smiles and stars in our eyes that we left them in the middle of the afternoon.
Jonathan
Guide Salva Fauna
