After a successful trip to Switzerland, where I photographed alpine ibexes in the Bernese Alps, we continued our journey to Austria. Eager to explore another part of the Alps, we decided to spend a few hours in Karwendel Nature Park (map). We took the cable car from Innsbruck to Hafelekar, where breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains greeted us. We spent some time hiking along the trails and taking in the spectacular views of the Tyrolean Alps. During a snack break on the trail, we were surrounded by alpine choughs (Pyrrhocorax graculus) hoping for a bite to eat. These crow-like birds are well adapted to life at high elevations and can be found throughout the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.

As we continued our hike, we came across a beautiful male alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) grazing on the steep mountainside. Chamois are small bovids, and bucks are often solitary, so we weren’t expecting to encounter any more of these elusive mountain animals. Fortunately, this individual seemed completely relaxed and paid little attention to us, giving me a wonderful opportunity to photograph him.

The chamois was entirely focused on feeding, seemingly determined to make the most of the available vegetation. I waited patiently, watching him graze and hoping he would occasionally lift his head. Those brief moments were exactly what I was looking for. After a long wait, he finally raised his head now and then, allowing me to capture a series of portraits that I was genuinely happy with.

The Alps are truly a remarkable mountain landscape, full of beauty and wildlife encounters that make every visit special. I’m grateful for the experiences we had during this short trip, from photographing ibexes in Switzerland to meeting this handsome chamois in Austria.

Gear: Canon EOS 5DsR, Canon 100-400mm