Eurasian lynx in winter wonderland
Snow?
Photographing wildlife in a snowy world can be a challenging task, particularly when your homeland rarely experiences the beauty of snowfall. So, in order to get a change of scenery this winter, we ventured to southeast Germany, a region that promised a chance of some unique wildlife in a National Park near the Czech border.
During a previous brief stop in the area, we had discovered a Tierfreigelande, an intriguing concept that piqued our interest despite the fact that we had seen none of its inhabitants at that time. The organisations behind the Tierfreigelande in Germany have created expansive enclosures in natural habitats, allowing visitors to witness the natural behavior of these animals. Since our previous visit, we had wished to see the lynx and wolf, and now, with snow as our backdrop, we hoped for a more promising encounter.
As we journeyed to the Bavarian forest, a boring, rainy drive gradually transformed into a scenic route adorned with more and more snow the closer we approached Neuschonau. Our hopes soared, and upon reaching our destination, we were greeted by a landscape blanketed in snow. Eager to enjoy the snow while it lasted, we quickly dropped off our belongings and set out in search of the animals.
Winter Magic
The path to the lynx enclosure presented its own challenges – an uphill climb, slippery terrain, and a fresh layer of fallen snow. Yet, we were lucky this time. We spotted the majestic lynx almost immediately and arranged our camera gear. Due to the howling wind and the falling snow the lynx had not spotted us. We spent several hours watching the lynx in this breathtaking landscape.
Throughout the night, snow continued to fall, transforming every element of the surroundings. It truly was a winter wonderland. The lynx, perhaps sensing the magic of the moment, treated us to another appearance, gracefully moving about in the deep snow and providing us with wonderful photo opportunities. Despite its enclosure, the lynx seemed wary of humans, reinforcing the idea of a natural environment and natural behaviour.
However, as noon approached, the weather took an unexpected turn. The serene snowfall gave way to rain, accompanied by a biting wind that made outdoor exploration less enjoyable. With a feeling of disappointment, we returned to our hotel. The rain threatened to erase the beauty of winter, but we were thankful – we had seen the animals, experienced the magic of the snow, and the journey had not been in vain.
Lynx in snowstorm
Lynx walking straight towards us.
