La Chaux
Valais, Switzerland
Tuesday 25 July 2023
61 °F
MONDAY, JULY 24:
Despite still feeling cruddy, I mustered up the energy this afternoon to take the lift up to La Chaux, above Verbier, to do some hiking and birding. I was glad I risked the iffy weather and was rewarded with these incredible cloud-studded vistas:
And marmots!
A nice alpine species, NORTHERN WHEATEAR:
And more gorgeous views:
BLACK REDSTART:
Awesome to get a photo of this RING OUZEL:
And this is where I topped out, despite not making it to my goal of a high glacial tarn — I was just a bit too sickly and out of breath to make the final push.
And I was ecstatic to photograph this WHITE-WINGED SNOWFINCH, a species I regretted missing photographing back in Mürren, and my bird-of-the-day for today!
WATER PIPIT:
The gondola ride back down was so interesting — first, I started above the lower clouds:
Entering the fog:
Then, along the slopes, it was windy and stormy within the cloud layer:
And approaching Verbier again, it was clear! That’s mountain weather!
Stay tuned!
good birding,
Henry
World Life List: 1168 Species
Posted by skwclar 22:58 Archived in Switzerland
