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. Speed of Hummingbird Hawkmoth's Wings

I had a couple of opportunities to photograph these amazing moths - in the middle of the day in Murren and later on the geraniums from my balcony. The first one is at 1/8000th second and the wings have just about been frozen. The wings in the second image show some movement at 1/5000th, more at 1/4000th and by 1/2000th they are completely blurred. The images on the balcony against the evening light were 1/3500 and 1/8000 respectively. 

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.

Switzweland 4. Some Insects from Schynigge Platte

As usual, I couldn't resist photographing the wide variety of insects including Shieldbugs,Skipper, Weevil, numerous Bees and Wasps, Cricket and Flies. All to be idenitified in due course.

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.

 

 

Switzerland 3. Afternoon at Eigergletsche

After lunch at Kleine Scheidegg, Holly and I took the train up to Eigergletsche while Peter did the Jungfrau trail arriving somewhat puffed along the wonderful moraine ridge walk. The clouds lifted enough to see detail in the glacier, the Hut and eventually the Observatory on the Jungfau Joch. Then down to Kleine Scheidegg and back to Wengen on the train.