California condor

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), is one of the biggest birds in the world. It has an average body length of 125 cm (49 in.) and the amazing wingspan of 2.77 meters (9 ft.).  It is one of the rarest bird species on the world. In 1987 there were only 22 individuals left. This is when they put all the remaining individuals is captivity, and start a breeding program, which proved to be very fruitful.

In 1991, they started to release some condors back into the wild. Due to April 2009 there are 322 living individuals, including 172 in the wild. This is the most expensive species conservation project ever undertaken in the United States.  This program is a good and rare example of what could be done in this situations, it shows the world what is real wildlife protection.  I was lucky too see them up-close in the Grand Canyon…:D They were not too worried about our presence, and let us come very close, even to the point when we don’t wanted to go any further… they’re not the size of your average pigeon.

Malibu, California

Faces

Rodnei Mountains

Some older pictures of Rodnei Mountains (2007)

In memoriam JC Lafaille

Few months ago I was following an expedition on the web, Jean Christophe Lafaille was attempting Makalu, one of the highest mountains of the world, his website was updated day by day, then they stopped…….

Few weeks after I found out that he’s missing and his base camp crew is leaving  Nepal…          I was  shocked …….

Mountaineers do die…

Jean-Cristophe was one of the toughest mountaineers of our time, he climbed 11 eight-thousanders, with many new routes, many peaks in the Alps, great Big Walls….he also climbed alone, without oxigen, and in winter

http://www.jclafaille.com/accueil_en.html