Switzerland 7. Final Walk in Infrared

I carried my Sony RX100 infrored converted camera with me all the trip but usually forgot to get it out so decided the views of the Eiger and Jungfrau etc  would be taken on that during my walk. It was a very clear (and hot) day giving very contrasty images - good for playing with light and shade.

 

Switzerland 7. An Hour with the Wood Ants

On our last day in Switzerland, I decided to do an easy 90 minute walk down from Wengeralp towards Wengen but, of course, I got distracted on the way down by various insects including several nests of Wood Ants. I spent an hour at one site where the ants were returning to the nest along a tree trunk lit by dappled sunlight through canopy. They were either carrying nest material (first 5) or prey for the larvae. I now want to know whether they have a division of labour - some do nest material, some food or if it is serendipitous. Dragging the spider  to the nest was a real problem as the ants on each of the 8 legs pulled in different directions.

Switzerland 6. Cows, Toadstools and a Magnificent View

After visiting Schilthorn region, I did the lower part of the walk down from Murren, admiring the wonderful views of the Eiger/Monch/Jungfrau range and attempting to photograph some of the abundant fungi in the woods.

  

Switzerland 6. Schilthorn Experience

Although I have visited the Wengen area very many times, this is my first visit  to the impressive Schilthorn (2970 metres). We took the cable car from Mürren  to Birg, where there are great views of the valleys. Peter and Holly did the Thrill Walk pathway under the vertical walls of the imposing rock massif. The steel structure clings to the rock, and then swings under the observation platform and the cable car to end below the cable car station.
We then took a second cable car up to the summit itself which was featured in the 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service. After considering a number of locations, the stalled construction of the sports bar atop the Schilthorn was chosen and the film's producer financed the completion of the famous revolving platform for the right to use the facility for the first and only Bond film starring George Lazenby. A black ski run featured in the film starts at the summit and leads down to the Engetal below Birg.
The views are magnificent includes Titlis, along Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau to Mont Blanc and into the Black Forest.
The last image is an accidental double exposure but, of course, now I wish I had taken some more!!

 

Switzerland Day 5. Allmendhubel

On Wednesday, the weather had changed to much warmer and sunnier so we decided on a visit to the Murren area. I took the Cable Car from Lauterbrunnen up to Grutschalp and then walked to Winteregg along a beautiful wooded trail with lots of fungi and meadows with butterflies . Then the train to Murren and funicular to Allmendhubel. (Peter and Holly walked the entire way from Grutschalp to Allmendhubel). In Murren there were lots of Black Redstarts.

Switzerland 4. Schynigge Platte

Schynigge Platte is reached by gog railway built in 1893, one of the highest in Switzerland (1,983 metres). The light was very harsh with light cloud and has given some interesting textures and colour to the landscapes. There are wonderful views to many surrounding mountains, including the Eiger, Mönch and  Jungfrau. I spent most of the time in the Alpine Garden and the slopes around. On the way down, there were great views of  Interlaken and the two great lakes of Thun and Brienz.