Blidinje Nature Park – Capercaillie Chamois Bear & Alpine Bird Photography (Herzegovina)

Blidinje Nature Park (established 1995; 358–364 km²) — one of Bosnia's finest alpine wildlife areas at 1200m on the Dinaric plateau between Čvrsnica (2228m) and Vran (2074m) mountains. HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Western capercaillie nesting confirmed — 100 bird species recorded; (2) Golden eagle and eagle-owl over open karst; (3) Balkan chamois on cliff faces of Čvrsnica; (4) Brown bear in forests. UNIQUE BOTANICAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Europe's largest complex of endemic Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii — a 'living fossil' conifer with contorted trunks ideal for landscape photography) at Masna Luka. Also UNESCO WH medieval stećci tombstone necropoles at Bare and Dugo Polje. Mozaik Travel (Sarajevo — Paromlinska 53D) offers full-day birdwatching tours to Blidinje with expert ornithologist guide, air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup from Sarajevo or Mostar. Contact Mozaik Travel for pricing (seasonal). Advance reservation recommended in spring (peak migration). Blidinje Lake (3km²) at the park's western end is a glacial lake at 1184m — excellent for reflection photography.