19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Ibex

Alpine ibex is the coolest. Its climbing abilities can put anyone to shame. It is mind blowing that just a hundred or so years ago it’s population was down to around 60 individuals, due to poaching. Luckily, through reintroduction it spread again to its former habitat in the European Alps. They are also huge fans of the mineral salts, that occur on the walls of dams and will cross them several times to lick the best parts, performing such an acrobatic style of wall walking that gives me a headache…

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Italy
Camera: ILCE-1
Copyright: © Tihomir Trichkov