October 20, 2018

Torres del Paine, chilean Patagonia

Here we go again, more pics from wonderful Patagonia. By now we have moved south to Torres del Paine National Park passing the border over the Chile, around 5 h by car from El Chalten. 
Its easy to get around in Torres del Paine - lots of hiking trails, and as you can drive around the area you can 'see' much more. Its famous for its powerful winds and we really enjoyed it one day when it was so blowing that the water was pulled upwards from the lakes to create heavy rain and fog, awesome to experience. Once again we had amazing weather even in the storm that hit the area one of the days. Staying over night in the park is not cheap, starts at around 2500 SEK and well, it doesn't really have an end. The views from the rooms and being close to the park and the trails makes up for it. You can get away a bit cheaper, although then spend minimum 1.5h in the car getting to/from closest city on rather bad dirt roads. As usual, we did loads of day trips and just enjoyed the views. 
One of the 'must' is the hike to the Mirador las Torres, the Three granite pillars, where the hike itself ends at 2000m and the actual peak is just over 3000m. Many do it by night to get the sunrise postcard pictures as the sun rays are hitting the pillars, we did not :)) Have to save something for next time ;))
There is so much more to be said about that place, but it's best experienced. Go there!

                                                           
lake pehoe
cool clouds



rain, sun and iceberg

lago del grey

lago nordenskjöld and the storm


caracara
guanaco








mirador los torres

Chilean flamingos



condor
       

October 12, 2018

Bird migration

                                                           
During August and September I have been out just before the sun sets in order to capture migrating birds. They are now moving to warmer latitudes - cranes, ducks, starlings, and loads of different geese.
It's quite remarkable to see and hear several thousand cranes and geese lifting from the fields where they've been feasting during the day to fly off to a sheltered place to rest for the night.
It's just as impressing in the mornings as they fly back to the fields for search of the food.

Sometimes there is a bonus - all these amazing sunset, and if you are a bit more lucky, there will be a little rainbow framing it all in.