Stefano Unterthiner - Bialowieza National Park, Poland IV
March 9th, 2009 Posted in Eastern Europe, UncategorizedOther Languages:
The European forest is wonderful! Particularly when it’s untouched, like here in Bialowieza! Last Thursday, we enjoyed trekking in the strictly protected area, accompanied by a ranger of the National Park, to discover the beauty of this pristine forest. What a pleasure, following fresh tracks of wolves (and a lynx too!), in the silence of the winter! We really hope that this National Park will be extended soon, as planned! All the forest here needs a wider protection.
The second image in this post gives you an idea of a possible view of a wild bison in the forest: a small silhouette among the trees, looking at you for a few seconds before running away… But finally, we have been able to spend a couple of days in the winter feeding areas, managed by the National Park for the wild herd in the forest of Bialowieza.
When the ranger arrives with the hay, the bison slowly appears, attracted by the familiar noise of the engine. What a great chance for us to photograph, easier, this massive ungulate in the forest! Of course, I could not resist trying to use a wide-angle also with the bison… but I have to be honest: I was a little afraid to approach them too close!
Stefano
Please note that blogs reflect our photographers' opinions and not necessarily those of the directors of Wild Wonders of Europe.
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7 Responses to “Stefano Unterthiner - Bialowieza National Park, Poland IV”
By Anita Coullard Dziedzic on Mar 10, 2009
I wish that I could have the time to do what you do.
I have never been out of the USA but my husband has been Germany and he talks about the forest. Maby some day I will make the trip.
By Diana Elena Antonescu on Mar 12, 2009
Wonderful images.
Am so happy to hear of the return of the Bison. There was a time when they used to roam the plains of Moldova, legends galore about this noble beast which is also
on the medieval state emblem
and was called Zimbru.
Diana Elena
By Robeto on Mar 13, 2009
Beautiful shots as usual Stefano !
Have a great time,
Roberto
By Berto on Mar 22, 2009
Grande Stefano!!! Sempre più foto, sempre più animali: occhio che poi le speci finiscono e ti tocca andare alla ricerca di draghi, gargoyle e woki!!!
Ciao!
By Ricardo Rocha on May 11, 2009
Lovely photos Stephano!
I’ll be visiting Bialowieza latter on this month for a Summer School in Biodiversity and Ecology. Looking forward to experience such an untouched european forest and hopely will be able to take some photos of the mighty bisons.
Keep on the good work.
By Andrew on May 11, 2009
Incredible images Stefan!
They really convey the great majesty of these beasts in the depths of the primeval forest to someone like me who has never been there.
It would be great to see the whole forest conserved one day, as I know some conservation groups are trying to achieve.
Looking forward to seeing the gallery up on the web.
By Mark on Jul 7, 2009
Bisons (called ‘Å»ubr’ in Poland what sounds like ) was a popular mammal in Europe centuries ago. It was almost completely eradicated at the end of I World War (German forces, Russian partisans and local poachers). Since 1923 International Society of Zubr Protection has used 12 of last 54 Zubr individuals kept e.g. in a zoo to renew its Free living population.
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/»ubr
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisent
National Park of Bialowieza is one of the last pristine forest in Europe. Pushcha is on the World Heritage List: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/33/gallery/