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Natural history tour in Bulgaria: day 5

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Common European adder (Vipera berus),

Day 5

Route: Bansko – Vihren – Ribno lake (Fish lake)

Weather: hot, 25 Degrees with some breeze

Yet another fantastic day! This time it was in Pirin mountains. As usual, we started at 9 am shortly after breakfast, and drove directly to one of the oldest trees in Bulgaria: Baikusheva mura. The tree which is a Macedonian pine is estimated to be over 1300 years old. It is truly impressive and dwarfs us. When sitting there, you really wonder about the history and the events this tree has survived.

We walked along the road to Vihren chalet noting Bullfinches, Pallid Swift, Nutcracker, and a distant Alpine Chough. Once at the chalet part of the group decided to stay together with Anton. The majority of the group continued up a path on our way to Ribnoto lake (the Fish lake). It was a great hike of about 2 hours with some steep climbing. Along the path, we didn’t see anything different and focused on the hike.

mountain lake in Pirin

Ribnoto lake, image: Iordan Hristov

Vihren peak, image: Iordan Hristov

the group at Ribnoto lake (the Fish lake), image: Iordan Hristov

When hiking, I got a message from Anton that he had caught an Adder. Oh, my! What great news!

We spent some time at the lake and had to descend as the weather forecast was suggesting thunder and lightning. It took us less than an hour to reach the chalet where Anton still had the Adder for us. What a photogenic snake this was! We spent at least half an hour photographing it! It was a real pleasure! This was my first Adder ever so it was really exciting! Here are some images:

Common European adder (Vipera berus),

Common European adder (Vipera berus), image: Iordan Hristov

Common European adder (Vipera berus),

Common European adder (Vipera berus), image: Iordan Hristov

Common European adder (Vipera berus),

Common European adder (Vipera berus), image: Iordan Hristov

Common European adder (Vipera berus),

Common European adder (Vipera berus), image: Iordan Hristov

Common European adder (Vipera berus),

Common European adder (Vipera berus), image: Iordan Hristov

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