Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ALPINE PHOTO TIPS
Photo ops abound in the Austrian Alps, but capturing the moment can be tricky. Here are our tips for getting that
mountain shot just right:
» Make the most of the diffused early-morning and evening light. Stay overnight in an alpine hut to get a head
start.
» To get really white snow, you may need to increase the exposure.
» Get close-up wildlife photos with a telephoto zoom lens; moving too close unnerves animals. Stay calm and
quiet.
» Think about composition: a hiker or a cyclist in the foreground gives your photo scale and highlights the im-
mensity of the Alps.
» A polariser filter can help you capture that true blue sky.
Endangered Species
Austria's most endangered species is the Bayerische Kurzohrmaus (Bavarian pine vole),
which is endemic to Tyrol and found only in six localities. Following close behind is the
Kaiseradler (imperial eagle), at one time extinct in Austria but fortunately staging a
comeback through re-immigration. The Europäische Hornotter (long-nosed viper) may
be a venomous snake at home in Carinthia, but humans are a far greater threat to its sur-
vival than its bite will ever be to ours.
Teetering on the brink of extinction, the Austrian Alps' population of brown bears is
very low (estimated at less than 10), boosted now and then by inquisitive souls arriving
from Slovenia and Italy. They only really appear in the Karawanks (Karawanken), Kar-
nisch Alps (Karnischen Alpen) and Gailtal Alps (Gailtaler Alpen) in Carinthia, as well as
in Osttirol. The survival of local populations and safety of transitory bears very much de-
pends on the efforts of organisations like Austria's Brown Bear Life Project and the
WWF, which have invested millions of euros into bringing the bear back to the Alps and
fostering awareness.
For the low-down on endangered species, consult the Rote Liste ( www.umweltbundesamt.at ) ,
collated by the Umweltbundesamt (Federal Environment Agency).
Alpine Flora
Below the treeline, much of the Austrian Alps is thickly forested. At low altitudes you
can expect to find deciduous birch and beech forests, while coniferous trees such as pine,
Search WWH ::




Custom Search