Pyrenees
The Pyrenees mountains are one of my favorite landscapes. A territory of great diversity, where as you ascend to higher elevations, the landscape completely changes.
The Pyrenees invite you to discover them on foot, at a slow pace, to appreciate their mysterious beech forests, endless fir forests, and mountain meadows where orchids bloom in the spring. At the same time, one can experience the ruggedness and inaccessibility of this mountain range, characterized by its limestone peaks with steep cliffs, and valleys and glaciers that leave a lasting impression.
Visiting the Pyrenees is also sharing space with a diverse wildlife. The chamois are the kings of the heights, defying gravity as they descend steep slopes. Brown bears are enigmatic and very difficult to see, unlike marmots, which with their alarm calls are easily located and invite you to look up, searching for protected bearded vultures, griffon vultures, or golden eagles.
In the Pyrenees, you can still breathe authentic nature. Pure mountain.
Dawn at Lac Gentau, facing the Midi d’Ossau peak. Pyrenees National Park.
The first light of day illuminating the shiny coat of a Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park.
The Campo Plano, Llena Cantal, and Piedrafita seen from the Respomuso Ibón, in the Aragonese Pyrenees.
A stoat (Mustela erminea) in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
Autumn colors in the Bujaruelo Valley, the most beautiful river valley in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
Two male mouflons (Ovis orientalis musimon) in the Coma de Vaca cirque, a beautiful corner of the Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
A line of Pyrenean chamois proceed in single file through the snow near the Coma del Infern in the Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
A Pyrenean chamois under a surprising spring snowfall. Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
The reddish lights of sunset illuminating the peak of Midi d’Ossau, reminding of the volcanic past of this picturesque mountain.
Estany Llong, a beautiful lake at the end of the Gerber Valley, one of the few valleys in the area without any hydroelectric construction. Periphery of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
A Pyrenean chamois at dawn in the Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
Thousands of years ago, mouflons (Ovis orientalis musimon) disappeared from the Pyrenees. About thirty years ago, they were reintroduced in the Carlit massif, from Corsican specimens.
Pedraforca is one of the most iconic mountains of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees.
When it snows overnight, I like to go for a walk early in the morning. I always do it with the hope of finding a group of Pyrenean chamois or mouflons, immersed in the magical environment of the snow. Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
Two European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) in the Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
The vertical architecture of the Ordesa cliff can be traversed through ledges, such as the Faja Racón. From there, in autumn, you have one of the best perspectives of the Fraucata.
Pyrenean chamois at dawn in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park.
A young marmot at the beginning of summer, when the flowers start to bloom in the high mountain. Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
The Coma de Vaca Cirque is one of the most paradisiacal corners of the Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser Natural Park.
Pyrenean chamois, especially when in a group, tend to be very elusive. But sometimes, if I remain seated and still, some individuals approach me with curiosity.
Pyrenean chamois at sunset in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park.
Silhouettes of a large group of Pyrenean chamois in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park.
The Respomuso Ibón is located in an impressive Pyrenean glacial cirque and guarded by imposing peaks that sometimes exceed 3000 meters.
The blizzard reminds me of the harsh weather conditions that the wildlife of the Pyrenees has to face. With the snow and wind, the terrain disappears and white takes over everything.
A pyrenean chamois walks slowly after a long snowfall. Natural Park of les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser.
Gerber Valley, on the periphery of Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.
In late spring, new mouflon and Pyrenean mountain goats begin to be born in the Natural Park of les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser.
Autumn is the perfect time to visit the Ordesa meadow in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
Pyrenean mountain goats are altitudinal migrators; they move according to food availability (to high elevations in summer and to valleys in winter when the snow covers the peaks). Natural Park of les Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser.
It is still dark when I begin the climb to the summit of Puigllançada. Near the top, still in the twilight, I come across an unmistakable silhouette. Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró.
The Vignemale, at 3,298 meters, is the highest peak in the French Pyrenees. From the Oulettes de Gaube cirque, one has one of the best views of this impressive mountain and its glacier.