Switzerland

One of the more typical residents in Switzerland Chamois can be found throughout Switzerland in the Jura mountains, Alps, and pre-Alps. Basically anywhere rocky, including cliffs. They generally avoid flat plains, as like Ibex, their ability to climb steep slopes is their main defence against predators. Unlike the Ibex, however, Chamois are more shy and nervous than Ibex. When approaching Chamois stealth and patience are key. Having photographed Chamois many times and slowly refining my skills I find the best method is to study your subject in the field, observing the behavior, tolerance to humans and their grazing habits. Chamois are generally predictable in their grazing habits and for multiple weeks on end have a preferred patch, though this patch does not last through the year. This means that setting up a hide tent is ideal, if that option is not available to you, however, a ghillie suit will also work fine and provide you with more maneuvrability. If a Chamois is alarmed it will raise its head, stay low to the ground and do not move, they have bad eyesight and might dismiss the distraction, but the closer you are the more careful you must be. In terms of when to photograph them, sunrise and sunset are generally the best but I prefer going in the afternoon with cloudy or rainy days which provides diffused light and makes for some more interesting shots with raindrops in the background. For equipment, I tend to use a long-reaching lens like the Sigma 150-600mm. In terms of shutter speed, I tend to use a fast shutter speed especially when photographing them in the rain or while exhibiting a behavior. Of course, you will have to adjust your ISO depending on the weather conditions and I generally keep my aperture at f 6.3. Chamois is a fun and accessible subject that is not difficult to find. Be respectful and do not disturb them as they are extremely nervous and shy animals.

Black-grouse are an iconic photography subject, and their mating displays from April-June are exciting. A bird that has been decimated throughout most of Europe, they still hold a stronghold within the Alps and pre-Alps. Camouflage is essential when photographing these birds; the most recommended method is to use a pop-up hide. This will allow you, with some luck, to get extremely close to these birds. It might take you a few tries, but the results are rewarding. You will have to get up early, however, and set up your hide before sunrise in order to not disturb the birds. I would recommend using a 400mm lens minimum to photograph these birds, as they are extremely nervous around new people, and though they may tolerate your hide they might not get close.

Marmots are Switzerland's cutest mascots. Iconic for their warning call and fuzzy exterior. They are highly social and brighten up anyone's experience in the mountains. They are relatively common in the Alps and pre-Alps but are less common in the Jura mountains. If you are simply looking for an up-close marmot experience, check out Saas Fee, where you can get up close to marmots who are fed by the villagers every day. Marmots are very social, living in large communal dens of around 15–20 individuals. Their community is made up of monogamous pairs and their children known as pups. They are herbivorous rodents and closely related to your garden squirrels. The difference being they are much larger, live on the ground, and prefer herbs with a side of insects and worms. Generally, skittish marmots can become quite habituated to your presence with patience. Certain Behaviors you might want to take note of is their tail flicking. Marmots usually exhibit this behavior communicate stress although sometimes it canalso be their expression of excitment. If you are attempting to aproach a marmot and its tail begin to flick and it raises itself on its hind legs you have pushed your luck a bit too far. Camouflage is, of course, necessary as it is more likely to put the animals at ease by distracting your human outline as well as reducing the chance you are spotted and allowing for more natural behaviors to be exhibited. Unlike Chamois, however, I do not recommend the use of a pop-up hide, as when photographing marmots in order to capture the action I feel you need to be adaptable and maneuvrable. Not to mention that the ghillie suit allows you to get lower to the ground and look less conspicuous than a tent. The tactic I use to approach marmots is similar to Chamois, slowly and staying low to the ground. If the marmot shows signs of being nervous such as raising itself on its back legs or suddenly stopping and raising its head; stay low to the ground and still until the marmot resumes its usual activity. Remember when using this tactic, not to get too close and if the marmot starts moving away from you refrain from pursuing it already spotted you and is not comfortable. In order to refrain from putting the marmot under stress, set yourself up near a den before any marmots have exited their dens; this means you are already close without having to risk disturbing them. After some time, they should be habituated to you. Refrain from getting too close to the entrance of the den as this will definitely scare them off and make it so that the den entrance will no longer be used. In terms of equipment it can vary depedning on your location and how habituated marmots are to people. Their reaction towards human varies from being very curiuse and tame aproaching you face to face or sometimes being shy and avoiding any human contact. Even though they vary in thir reaction to people marmots like most wildlife generally require a fast shutter speed of around 1/1200 of a second or even higher depedning on the action. Marmots are often overlooked by photographers but they ar a fun and beginner friendly subject that can yield rewarding results. 

Ibex are Switzerland's iconic inhabitants and probably the main goal of any photographer visiting the Alps. They are one of the largest animals found in the alps and their ability to climb steep rock faces keeps them safe from a variety of predators. Ibexes play and important role inbthe ecosystem bringing nutrients from lower in the mountains to higher elevations. Adult male Alpine Ibex are hunted by wolves, lynx and bears while younger ibexes can be preyed on by foxes and eagles. Alpine ibex are the most sucesful of the ibex genus being the only ibex listed as least concerned on the ICUN red list. Males can be destingueshed by their significantly larger horns than the females who have shorter horns, though it can take a young male quite av few years before obtaining the larghe iconic horns of the male alpine ibex so juviniles are the inbetween of a female ibex and a mature male. ibex don't shed their horns and you can determine the age of an ibex by teh growth rings in his horns. They can be found all over the Alps and pre-Alps, and have a small reintroduced population in the Jura mountains in Creux Du Van where they used to roam. They are relatively docile but are still wild animals and need to be respected so do not get too close. Females generally stay in higher elevations than males, especially, in the summer to stay cool. Males only mix with females during the rutting season, otherwise, they can be found in groups with other males where they will sometimes practice their fighting abilities or even sometimes alone though thats rare. Females stay in the same herd year round usually numbering  5 to 30 individuals. Ibex also migrate from summer freeding grounds in higher eleveations to winter feeding grounds in lower eleveations males typically cover larger distances. Males begin butting their horns from August to December which is always a treat. It is fun to photograph these animals but I generally focus on them during August-October when the males demonstrate their physical strength to the females. I also like photographing them in spring from April to June where their fur begins shedding and makes for some intresting texture. Also during snowy winters as they popout amidst the white background with their warm winter fur. overall they can be photographed year round. With them being high on hormones, I would recommend keeping a distance using a far-reach lens of a minimum of 400mm. Camouflage is always a plus to ensure their behavior is more natural but during the summer months and winter months past December, it is not necessary to get some great shots. Alpine Ibex are a story of resilience, being nearly wiped out due to their horns believing to have medicinal properties. Having slowly been reintroduced in Switzerland, they have a now strong population. Even though they are docile, they are still wild animals so maintain proper distance and respect these animals.