Landscape and wildlife in Switzerland
round Zermatt there are many opportunities to capture a reflection. All can be reached by Gondolas and small hikes once one the surrounding mountains. The Matterhorn is one of the most famous mountains in the world due to its jagged appearance. It’s also the mountain featured on the famous Toblerone. To get this shot I took a gondola up to Sunnegga to experience the mountain panorama. I did a good hike around the top after reaching the lake and getting all the shots I wanted of the Matterhorn. Marmots live around this alpine area and I managed to see quite a few near the lake.
The bright lush green fields scattered with yellow wildflowers as the bloom under the summer sun of Switzerland. Zermatt is home to the wonderful Matterhorn which towers over the mountain town. Predominantly and agricultural community until the mid 19th century, this town now booms in tourism. I took this shot sitting in the field. I loved the little cabin to the right of the image and the way the sun was shining down illuminating the grasses. I sat here for hours and some cloud was always clinging to the summit of the Matterhorn which is quite a common occurrence.
A Marmot popping out of the burrow in the region of Zermatt, Switzerland. These mountains are normally filled with skiers in the winter but in the summer only hikers are up the Sunnegga and the Marmots have more change of coming out to play and being undisturbed. I quietly watched a group of them playing and popping in and out of their burrow holes.
A view of the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland, with the flourishing meadow flowers below. Hiking out in the wilderness with just the mountains and sound of nature. To get this shot I took a gondola up to be able to hike around Sunegga. I wanted to be able to see the Matterhorn without any people or town houses in the shot. When I first arrived it was quite early and the snowdrops were still closed up and frosty with morning dew. As I hiked the atmosphere warmed up and they slowly opened, enabling me to capture the image I wanted. Their fluffy coating protects the buds from the frost. The Matterhorn is visited from people around the world due to its unique shape that stands out in the Alps.
When sitting at the top of 'First' in Grindlewald, I was capturing the surrounding mountains when this paraglider caught my eye. Gliding down through the clouds and past the mountains. It looked so peaceful and having not long ago paragliding myself in Interlaken I knew what feelings they must be feeling. I don't do many black and white images but it felt right for this shot.
Marmots are one of the largest members of the squirrel family and are widespread across Asia, Europe and North America. They have extensive burrows underground in preferred alpine habitat. Living in large colonies consisting of harems of one male and 2-3 females. They have a high pitched squeak that they use to warn of nearby threats and predators. I took this shot in Switzerland up a mountain peak in Zermatt. It was rather early in the morning and I saw in the distance marmots play fighting and running around the grassy terrains. I tried to keep as quiet as I could and stayed with them a while as I observed their behaviour and gained some trust. I was able to witness them gathering nesting materials for their burrows. It was a magical moment with no other people around to scare them off.
The most beautiful municipality in Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen, is home to many waterfalls (72 to be accurate) and surrounded by mountains. Staubbach Falls Is the main fall here which is 300m tall. Views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains can be seen from hiking around the valley. I took this shot from a specific viewpoint I sought out, with the pathway in the foreground and the views of the church and houses, while the falls bellowed down the vertical mountain side.
Below the mountains in Grindlewald lies mountain village full of beauty. Full off Swiss chalets nestled in the alpine meadows in the Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. I woke up in the morning and cloud was clinging to the forests below the mountains which is what I wanted for the composition of the shot. Luckily I could capture this shot from my balcony in Grindlewald Grund as our hotel overlooked the mountain range.
During a very steep hike up the top of Mannlichen, there were panoramic views of the Swiss mountains overlooking the Jungfrau Region. Up there it was possible to see the Magnificent Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains. I did a trail called The Royal Walk which led to the very top. From here you could see all the valleys and were in the clouds. I took this shot of the mountains as cloud was passing over. I loved the composition with the first peak more visible than the rest, as if they are all in line and becoming more visible one by one. I just love being up in the mountains and being so close to nature.
Zermatt is famous for the beautiful mountain known as the Matterhorn. Almost between the border of Switzerland and Italy, it’s famous for its perfect shape and attracts people from all over the world. It stands at an elevation of 4,478 m and is able to be climbed with extensive experience. I dreamt of this shot when booking this trip to Switzerland and knowing I only had two nights to get the weather needed, it was going to be a slim chance. when I arrived in Zermatt and heard the Matterhorn hasn’t been seen for weeks due to cloud until the day we arrived! It was sunny during the day but cloud clung to the Matterhorn in parts and then it went completely cloudy around 6pm. I saw a slight break in the cloud at around 8pm and decided to go for it and go to my planned viewpoint. To my amazement the cloud dispersed and I got the view I wanted.
The mountains in Switzerland house the traditional Swiss chalets line the zig zag paths. Nestled in the tree line, these chalets have the best views of pure nature. I wanted the purple wildflowers to be at the forefront of my image for this composition, but as part of the bokeh. I wanted to capture the way the houses lined up against the pathway up the mountainside.