Butterfly, Ibex & Black Squirrels

[staffitaxi]

Saw lots of wildlife while in Austria but didn't get that many photos unfortunately.

1.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/staffitaxi/Austria%202008/Austria2008047.jpg

2.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/staffitaxi/Austria%202008/Austria2008642.jpg

Ok I know, but its there if you look closely. You didn't really think I was going to follow it along that path did you. I was firmly sat on a bench pretty much unable to move due to the surroundings. We'd got up there on a cable car and then walked 430 meters down a tunnel cut through the mountain to reach a small ledge. Many paths leading off but none I would have attempted.


3.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/staffitaxi/Austria%202008/Austria2008672.jpg

4.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/staffitaxi/Austria%202008/Austria2008713.jpg

5.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d158/staffitaxi/Austria%202008/Austria2008675.jpg

The squirrels were absolutely adorable. And were reasonably happy, once they had sussed you out, to take the nuts from your hand.

We did see eagles one day but would have needed a massive lens to stand a chance of getting any photos. Also saw lots of Alpine Choughs which were also used to being fed. No marmots this year though :shrug:

Andrea

[Baz777]

Nice series :thumbs:

No. 1 may benefit with a slight crop at the top.

Last one is the pick for me, great capture :thumbs:

[Just Dave]

wow never seen black squirrels before their well smart great shots :thumbs:
their like a mixture of red, and reds tail and build, face and ears like greys. :thumbs:

[Cobra]

The last is the best of the bunch for me Well caught :thumbs:

[Ladybird]

that butterfly is stunning! Really love it! Love the squirrells too, not been able to get that close to any:( I will look closer for the other thing! :D

[staffitaxi]

Thanks Baz, I'll try the butterfly with the slightly different crop.

Davenjulie, they are very similar size to the reds. It was the only type of squirrel we saw, I think they do have reds out there but not in the area we were staying. Don't think they have grey's at all.

They were obviously very used to being fed. Apparently if you have the right seed in that place the birds will feed off your hand too. There was a really good selection of birds to be seen. We also fed out leftover bread to the ducks, but they were beaten to it by the trout!

Ladybird - I have to say when we heard the squirrels would take food from your hand I was a bit sceptical but once they'd sussed you out they really were quite happy.

Andrea

[erding]

No 5 for me.

No 4 was interesting as I don't recall seeing a white chest on my black squirrel photos - I'll have to have a closer look later.

Tom

[turbotoes]

Nice shots, I like the Ibex shot, it really gives a sense of SCALE! Nice to see black squirrels too, a local zoo has some but they Never keep still long enough for me to snap em.