TITLE: Scenic View

Two alpine ibex standing on a narrow trail in the swiss alps, surrounded by a breathtaking panorama of mountain peaks, a clear blue lake and villages around it. Two ibexes of the herd of about 20 stopped just beneath the trail, perfect in the frame of my remote camera with a wide angle lens. The younger one looked in the direction of the camera. The older one, with his massiv horns, looked up the hill. They enabled me to capture this amazing encounter with this remarkable animals in their wonderful habitat, the alps.

On an early morning in late summer in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland, a herd of about 20 male ibex were feeding on the grassy slopes on their way to their resting places for the day. Ibexes can't sweat and therefore they seeking out for windy or shady places to rest on warm summer days. The herd came right across the trail where my remote camera was positioned and made it possible for me to photograph this incredible encounter with them.

Their mighty and impressive horns show who the king of the Alps is. The alpine ibex is the symbolic animal of the Alps and stands for strength, endurance and freedom. They are ideally adapted to life at heights between 2,500 and 3,500 meters. The grassy slopes below and the stony terrain above the ridge path show the natural habitat of these animals.

AUTHOR: Jonas Schäfer (Switzerland)

My name is Jonas Schäfer.

The mountains are my home, the animals living there my fascination. My mission is to create images that are exceptional and unique in their nature and form. Unique images that show the beauty of wild animals and landscapes in my way of image making. They should promote our understanding as well as compassion for the animals and their habitats.