Animals in their Environment

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Alpine atmosphere

The chamois (Rupicapra) is a species of goat-antelope native to mountains in Europe. Both males and females have short, straightish horns which are hooked backwards near the tip, the horn of the male being thicker. The mantle of the chamois is essentially made up of two types of fur, able to protect it from the difficult climatic conditions of the environment in which it lives. It provides optimum protection that allows the animal to withstand the strong temperature hikes it is subjected to.

In Winter the fur is long, soft and thick, with a dark brown to blackish coloration; thanks to the dark shade, the hair absorbs the sun's rays to a large extent, guaranteeing the animal an additional source of heat.

Distinct characteristics are white contrasting marks on the sides of the head with pronounced black stripes below the eyes, a white rump and a black stripe along the back.and fog have arrived without warning and left indifferent the Alpine chamois. After a long and exhausting climb, I was able to spot these magnificent specimens. Without disturbing them I managed to get close to them and photograph them. Their habitat includes steep slopes and jutting rocks.Thanks to the snow and fog I found myself in a fantastic atmosphere

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The harsh law of winter

A misty morning in winter I was on the slopes of monte Sella in the Dolomites. While I waited to catch a glimpse of the mountain in order to photograph it, suddenly, on the opposite side, a hole opened and enchanted four deer appeared intent to look for food in the snow. I changed immediately the camera lens and I was able to do a few photos before the return of the fog.

The roe deer is a small deer, it has tawny coat in summer. The throat and the ventral parts and the perianal region, known as the rump, are white. The tail is very short and does not emerge from the hair, although in the female there is a tuft of hair that covers her vulva. The male has small horns with only three toes; These fall each year (October to December) and grows back in late winter.

error: © Günther Pitscheider