The mountains of the Swiss Prealps are relatively small compared to their taller cousins to the south east. (Indeed, I’ve just read here that there are 1206 named peaks in the Prealps, stretching from the eastern end of Lac Léman/Lake Geneva all the way across Switzerland to Lichtenstein and the highest of them is the Schilthorn at 2,973m or 9,754ft). So, while Jude took a drive up the Jaun Pass, I walked from Charmey to the top of two of them, the Vanil des Cours (@1,562m or 5125ft) and Mont Bifé (@1,482m or 4,862ft).
As I walked between the two peaks I was pleased to spot a Crossbill enjoying the view over Lac de la Gruyère. He hung around for quite a while, so I decided to take a video in the hope that the zoom might get a closer view. Sadly this was not to be but, while filming, his mate came along with some nesting material and he decided to vacate his perch to a lower branch (see pic 21). He obviously knew his place! Please check out the video after the image gallery. (It’ll never make the Wildlife Film of the Year awards, but you’ll get the idea). 😊
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
Lovely film of the crossbills, Mike! And those pine cones are really something too…
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Thanks Viv. While I was watching the male had a few ‘nibbles’ and it was fascinating to watch. Quite a useful tool that beak! They certainly had a lot to go at. Many of the trees were weighed down by seemingly hundreds of cones.
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Wow love that crossbill! Such a wonderful landscape, makes me want to hike again (now confined in Paris and longing to get out again!). Thanks for sharing that photo of the wooden facade as well, the woodcarving is impressive!
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You’re welcome. 😊 I guess there are worse places than Paris to be locked down, but it is certainly good to have a change of scenery.
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Such a beautiful place, wow!!
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Yes it is and I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the photos. Thanks for your comment John.
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Enjoyed all your photos very much, Mike! Great sighting, shots and video of the Crossbills!! ❤️
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Thanks Donna. I was wishing I’d taken my old camera with it’s 30x zoom (instead of a measly 3x) and the shots would have been much better. (Though not as good as yours of course!) 😊
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No matter your camera, Mike, your ‘eye’ for beauty is awesome!! (and your hiking skills rock too!!) 🙂
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Thank you Donna! 😊
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