Lammergeiers,(Gypaetus Barbatus) Bearded vulture, photographs. Second visit to their world in the high Pyrenees.

The weather looked good, in fact quite beautiful. Rainbows spanning the valley's and gorges. It had snowed here in the last 48hours, this made us wait for our revisit up the high mountains to watch the Lammergeiers.

Cameras, back packs and most important lunch, all secured we set off once more. Leaving the lower mountain areas the weather soon started to change, and not in our favour.

Not long into our climb upwards  we popped out of the swirling cloud, letterbox views allowed us glimpses of the snow clad mountains.

Behind us the weather looked like it may improve.

The rainbow seems to hold the cloud up, giving us a clear view to our destination.

Still a long way to hike, the weather changes by the minute, rain and then sun.

Our first Lammergeiers of the day, battling the ferocious wind, that is now roaring down from the peaks.

As we move along the top edge of the gorge we disturb a group of Griffon vultures, they must have been sitting out the growing storm. As they fly to another sheltered ledge, along the rock face, they pass through another rainbow.

Griffons in the rainbow.

We to have entered the colourful world.

A adult Lammergeier glides along the gorge. In this picture you can clearly see why they also have the name, Bearded vulture.

A low pass, looking for food over the grass cropped short by roaming sheep.

Picking up good light and showing the beard well on this adult.

A juvenile passes on the wind, which is now a problem. This picture not only shows first year mottled
colouring, you also see the much shorter tail and broader wings which do not have the pointed ends.

In the last minutes that it is possible to stay here, another adult glides over the gorge. Looking back at these photos, all seems calm, in reality the wind is now gusting hurricane force, it is hardly possible to stay on your feet, let alone take photographs. It is time to beat a retreat!

As this last adult turns and heads down the gorge we say thank you and head for the cover of the lower  

ground just like them.

It takes five years to attain full adult plumage, just look at those striking lead grey feathers.

Full combat wet weather gear and still wet through but exhilarated, having shared some time with these wonderful birds, high up in the Pyrenees, let us hope for their future and in countries like Switzerland the success of the reintroduction programs.

Lammergeiers,(Gypaetus Barbatus) Bearded Vulture, photographs.In the Spanish Pyrenees.

Our first day searching for these magnificent and endangered vultures had started well the weather clear with light cloud. The previous day we had driven up and down mountain roads and tracks, in our hire car, with telescope looking for  possible sightings, we had been lucky and seen ten Lammergeiers and lots of Griffon Vultures. Having decided the only way we were going to achieve any photo's would involve a hard climb, with very heavy canon lenses cameras Gitzo tripod and Wimberly head to steady the 600mm lens we set off like a pack mules! 

The scenery just stunning as we slowly climb up, leaving deserted buildings below us. All the time we are dwarfed by our destination.

As we climb we can see the church at Tella. 

After some hours hiking we think we are doing well as we take a rest and look back on our route.

In front the climb continues and made easier by the beauty.

Far on the opposite side of a very deep gorge we watch a Lammergeier land and see another one already down. It is hard to believe that they have a wing span eight to nine feet across. If we are going to get better photographs we will have to move on up.

When they say that Lammergeiers are confined to inaccessible, steep cliffs we can agree. We can now see fifteen of them, hunting in front of the trees and cliff face. 

Nearly in the clouds we need to look for some cover so as not to disturb them.

A pair that seem to be involved in some aerial combat or at play!

It seems the one above is a adult whilst a juvenile protects itself below.

Then the hike and wait are rewarded as a immature adult flies over our side of the gorge.

Adult bird gliding over the grassy slope in search of food. I am not sure of any tortoise's up here, it's a favoured food. They take them up in their talons and drop them on to the rocks, to break open the shell. One of the reasons their also referred to as the Bone Crusher!

This adult may not look huge but that wing span is nine foot across!

They say the Rufus tinge is acquired through sand bathing.

Just look at those feathers, more like a cape than wings.

Hidden away they have no idea of our presence as they glide and soar the gorge.

Only a thousand left in the world,  let us hope that the introduction programs continue to bring success for this magnificent bird.

  

As we are leaving the area we see this spotted Juvenile, soar by FANTASTIC!

We had better start moving, as the mountains around us, start to turn red in the setting sun. Opp's just lost track of time in the Lammergeiers wild world.

Hopefully we may get another day up here before we leave the area.