Gold in the Larch: I have been chasing a decent photograph of this European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) all week, but they are notoriously small, fleet, and usually stay tucked deep within the canopy. As I spent the vast majority of my time snowboarding with my family and not primarily photographing, I only had fleeting windows to try and catch one in the open. Despite shooting up and not in a great pose, I particularly like this frame because of the way the larch branches naturally encircle the subject, providing a rustic, geometric window into its world. It was a rewarding way to cap off the week's observations in Auron.

The Morning Watch: A crisp, biting morning in Auron, catching the sun as it breaks over the ridge above the village chapel. I captured this on an iPhone 13 mini while out on the slopes. As I spent the vast majority of my time this week snowboarding with my family and not primarily photographing, the portability of the phone was essential for grabbing these fleeting moments of mountain light between descents. The sharp lens flare emphasises the sheer brilliance of the sun at this altitude.

The ‘Snow-Pod’ View of Auron: A long-exposure look at the village of Auron as it glows warmly against the massive, dark silhouettes of the Alps. As I spent the vast majority of my time this week snowboarding with my family and not primarily photographing, I didn’t have my tripod to hand. I had to stabilise the camera on a makeshift ‘snow-pod’—a pile of packed ice—to capture the village lights as they spilled out into the cold mountain night. It is a quiet study of human presence huddling against the vast, indifferent shadows of the peaks.

Relics of the Ridge: High above the Auron ski resort, the crumbled remains of a stone structure serve as a stark reminder of the mountain’s power over all things man-made. I was drawn to the rough, jagged edges of the ruins, which seem to be slowly returning to the earth, mimicking the rocky terrain around them. While I spent most of my time this week snowboarding with my family rather than photographing, these textures of decay caught my eye as a testament to the persistent, rugged nature of the Alps.

500mm Intimacy: Finding a subject the size of a finger from a distance. The 500mm focal length creates a beautiful compression, pulling the lizard out from the stone while melting the foreground and background into a high-key wash of light. Capturing this level of detail in such a small, skittish creature is a highlight of today's trek.

Suspended Silence: A study in geometry and altitude at Auron. These empty chairlifts, silhouetted against the thinning mountain air, create a striking pattern of lines and hooks. I love the contrast between the cold, engineered precision of the machinery and the jagged, organic chaos of the snowy peaks below. It captures that quiet, "after-hours" feeling when the mountain finally breathes.

The Mountain’s Hidden Residents: High above the Auron ski station, a small group of Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) navigates the snowy, vertical terrain. These agile mountain dwellers are masters of camouflage, blending perfectly into the rugged, rocky outcrops and sparse larch trees. It is a quiet reminder that even in a busy ski resort, nature is observing us from the heights.

Snowy Welcome: This is what you want to see when you arrive for a week of skiing! :)

The Iron Stage: A cormorant claims a rugged, oxidised perch at the water’s edge. The low-angled golden hour light perfectly catches the bird mid-call, highlighting the sharp contrast between its organic silhouette and the heavy, repetitive geometry of the rusted metal pilings.

The Gilded Sentinel: As the day ends at the CHU Pasteur campus in Nice, the low sun transforms functional architecture into a study of warmth and texture. The ornate bell tower catches the final, richest rays of light, standing in bold contrast to the cooling shadows of the hillside behind. Below, the rhythmic rows of Mediterranean terracotta tiles anchor the scene, their orange hues glowing against a deepening blue sky.

King of the Deadwood: A vibrant Eurasian Blue Tit claims its spot on the favorite dead branch in my garden. This particular perch has become a well-loved stage for the local birds, offering them a perfect vantage point against the soft, mottled colors of the background. The sharp detail in its blue and yellow plumage stands out beautifully, capturing a quiet moment of garden life.

Geometric Ascent: An exploration of how rigid, man-made geometry interacts with the natural horizon. The repetitive rectangular frames of the Faculty of Medicine create a rhythmic pattern of light and shadow that acts as a visual pointer. This strong diagonal line directs the eye toward the distant, rounded silhouette of the Nice Observatory.