High Altitude Flirting

And it was not just the bouquetins at it, lower down the two male chamois in extra were having a last fling before the end of the rut. You can see the males of both species with their tongues out to taste the pheromones of the females who have come into heat. I was observing the bouquetin couple for at least an hour as she led him a merry dance, up and down the slopes, eventually sneaking round a corner in the cliff so I don’t know if his advances were accepted. He is relatively small, perhaps seven or eight years old, so I suspect he is too young for her! Fantastic to see close up as they ignored me, so intent on their activity …

For a day that was supposed to be very dull or even snowy, it was fine enough to clear five huge bags of leaves. Any others that fall now can stay where they land till the spring … oh, it’s the shortest day of the year today, so spring will be upon us before we know it! 

Update on Preston. I took home into the garden on his harness today. What a happy grass eating boy he was. He slipped once so he needs lots of practice to get used to his tripod status …