Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: tonyg on July 29, 2008, 12:00:45 AM
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I have just returned from a 3 and a half day trip to my favourite place! A deciding factor was the chance to meet a fellow-forumist and good freind. I stayed at the railway station at Kleine Scheidegg. It may sound bizarre but with no trains and very few people between 7pm and 8am it was a great choice and staying relatively high up means there are plenty of flowers to be enjoyed right outside the hotel. Oh and the food was good and the half board package cost just £42 a night.
Here are the first few pics. Thomas is still on holiday with his family and will doubtless have suitably embarrassing photos to post in a week or so but I had a day and a half on my own which will feed a few posts before Thomas gets home.
Campanula scheuzeri was abundant at this time, this one was just above Kleine Sheidegg.
Final pic is for Maggi who will probably be able to shed some light on the subject.
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Lovely pictures Tony, many thanks for the start of this new Topic. Great to see Thomas in good heart.
When Maggi is well again she'll be over the moon about THAT picture. Wonder who the young man is. It doesn't look much like Ian. :D
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Nice pictures Tony :)
Looks like You had great fun. 8) And we have not seen any crocus :o
Lesley. Even though Maggi claims to be a child bride, I hope she was older than that so it does not need to be Ian. ::) Hard to tell about the boy. A need of a haircut and then a beard on him and then... Who knows? ::) ::)
Kind regards
Joakim
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Tony,
Mary and I were in Wengen about a fortnight ago and, among other outings, walked from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheiddegg, from Kleine Scheiddegg to the foot of the Eiger - Eigergletcher? and then back down to Wengen. It was an exceptional experience with wonderful walks and fabulous plants.
I have hesitated to post any photographs as I was not sure of all identifications but now I shall watch your postings with great interest and will, I hope, add all the correct names to the many, many photographs I took while there.
Paddy
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Even though Maggi claims to be a child bride, I hope she was older than that so it does not need to be Ian. ::) Hard to tell about the boy. A need of a haircut and then a beard on him and then... Who knows? ::) ::)
I think the lad would need to slim down quite a lot Joakim :) but then, I can't even tell the boys from the girls nowadays. Trouble is, they're all growing up so quickly.
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Arriving in Wengen at 4pm on Monday 21st July I quickly made my way up onto the Mannlichen ridge. This is one of my most favourite places. The first 2 pics are a bit of a cheat as they were taken on Thursday when the sun shone brightly. On the Monday it was overcast and VERY cold :( However this didn't stop me spending over 2 hours walking to Kleine Sheidegg, although carrying a full pack did slow me down a bit ;)
There was little sign of wildlife although the chap illustrated as 'in situ' owed more to Flanders and Swan's "there ... ... ... was a face I thought I knew" ... I'll let someone else fill in the missing words :-X
The Mannlichen has some of the most flowery turf I've ever seen. In high summer there are masses of different flowering plants. Some of the early gentians and primula were just hanging on but campanulas, clovers, and daisies abounded in July.
Also illustrated are Pedicularis verticillata (red/pink), Pedicularis tuberosa (yellow), Aster alpinus and Minuartia verna
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Another highlight of that first walk was the profusion of Campanula barbata. Mostly very short and compact at this altitude and exposure there was a some variation in flower colour and the shape of the hairy bellflowers. I quite like the 'dumpy' ones while others were like the ones that flowered in my garden a month or more ago, longer and narrower. Remember the first Campanula barbata I'll show another pic taken 3 sunny days later in another post. Also quite common was Phyteuma hemisphaericum a very dwarf member of the campanulaceae, while Saxifraga bryioides grew on the shady side of a few giant boulders above the path to Kleine Scheidegg.
As I yomped into Kleine Scheidegg at around 730pm the Eiger loomed out of the mists for another moment, a promise of better days ahead. :)
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Nice photos and nice Camanulas (Blue bells or blå klockor for a Swede). Nice with the colour variation.
Keep them coming You are doing a great work.
Kind regards
Joakim
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Tony,
Your beautiful pictures brought back pleasant memories of Wengen, Kleine Scheiddegg and Eiger about 53 years ago!
Thank you
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Or as someone once said, "As the noo gnu soon knoo at the zoo, Guiness is good for you."
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Thanks for the kind comments.
The first full day dawned cold and overcast but there was a promise of better to come as the morning progressed. I progressed very slowly down from Kleine Scheidegg towards Biglenalp. Many flowers in these high meadows, mostly common but often in profusion.
Geranium sylvaticum + spot the buds of an onion
Allium schoenoprasum
Dactylorhizas alpenty. Often confusing, the first seemed to fit Dactylorhiza majalis but then there were much paler ones and later some which resembled D incarnata (I'll post them tomorrow.)
The pinkish flowers of Ligusticum mutellina grew by the million and as the clouds broke to reveal the Jungfrau it got a bit warmer.
......Some sunny pics next time :)
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Funny to see chives growing in such a place, but of course they must do, somewhere. One would be looking for the parsley and thyme and a bowl of cottage cheese. :P
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Wonderful pictures Tony! And this all in three and a half day. Amazing place.
Funny to see chives growing in such a place,
Lesley I have seen chives in the mountains at 2000 m. standing in water between Salix
reticulata. And I learned from my mother in law (Austrian) that the taste is much better than the
lowland cultivated chives.
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Presence of chives is said to increase the pollination of orchids at least of Orchis morio. Chives have nectar and is hence a rewarding plant for the pollinators so they fly around more and also go to the non rewarding plants. Maybe it also helps Dactylorhiza?
Looking forward to more orchids
Kind regards
Joakim
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The comments about chives make sense in that there was a great profusion of orchids in this area, literally thousands! Here are some more as requested, not quite all the different types I saw ... but this is still only about 11am on day one so there is plenty of ground to cover yet :)
The area had been covered by a summer snowfall about a week before my visit but the flowers have amazing powers of recovery although if you look carefully one of the pics shows plants with bent stems.
I am no expert where orchids are concerned but it seemed to me that one of these plants might be Dactylorhiza incarnata.
Then in slightly drier places there were Gymnadenia conopsea and Nigritella nigra. This last I find difficult to photograph, always short in long grass! And lastly a mystery plant, at first sight I thought it was Nigritella rubra but this is not listed for this area. It was growing mixed with Nigritella nigra and Gymnadenia conopsea, perhaps it is a hybrid?
Edit by Maggi, following discussion in another p thread in August '09.......
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Quote from: ranunculus on August 03, 2009, 10:10:21 AM "NIGRITELLA possibly DOLOMITENSIS"
Quote from: Gerhard Raschun on August 03, 2009, 08:20:18 PM It isn`t Nigritella spp., it is xGymnigritella, an intergeneric hybrid between Gymnadenia and Nigritella, probably
xGymnigritella suaveolens ( Gymnadenia conopsea x Nigritella rhellicani )
Quote from: tonyg on August 03, 2009, 11:38:29 PM
I saw something very similar near Kleine Sheidegg in Switzerland last year. I had a good clue that it was a hybrid as Nigritella nigra and Gymnadenia conopsea were both growing very close by. Like Cliff I was stumped for the name even though I guessed the parentage. What x name would you give my plant?
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2062.180
The pictures are in reply 14 of this link (Switzerland 2008)
Quote from: Gerhard Raschun
This is x Gymnigritella suaveolens too.
Your shown Dact. incarnata is Dact. alpestris ( majalis ssp. alpestris)
The plants in the wet flush belong to Dact. fuchsii
There aren`t Nigr. nigra in Central European, it is a plant described from Scandinavia, because it is triploid. All Nigritella spp.with black flower belong to Nigr. rhellicani (diploid) and Nigr. austriaca ( tetraploid, apomoctic).
In my opinion your shown Nigritella are Nigr. austriaca, but to see the differents it is necessary to scrutinizize it ( labellum and leaves). The time of flowering is 2 weeks earlier as in Nigr. rhellicani, little difference in shape of the infloresence and the colouration of the flowers.
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Tony 8) :o
Here is what Butler says about N.rubra.Habitat: poor calcareous Alpine grassland over 1500m; on limestone and calcareous slate.
Distribution: Alps and Carpathians: from Tessin and Toggenburg eastwards to lower Austria east Romania and south Carpathians.
Hybrids N and G produce hybrids:similar to N but possess twisted flowers (labellum placed sideways, variable) and spur length of 3mm and more.
The book also give a wide range of colours for N. nigra that is not that far away from Yours.
The key describes flowers ruby Labellum concave and almost always constricted in the lower third to a saddle.
Hope this helps for You to key this one.
Maybe others may know more about this.
Kind regards
Joakim
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That is very helpful Joakim. I think this is a hybrid between the Nigritella and the Gymnadenia. The flowers fit your description quite well and looking closely they are not like the Nigritella, indeed the labellum does appear to be placed sideways. Thanks!
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Enjoying your pictures Tony.
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Your mother-in-law's comment about chives doesn't surprise me Luit. Here, we have wild thyme (Thymus vulgaris, not native though) growing naturilized over thousands of acres of the hot, dry Central Otago hillsides. The summer scent is intoxicating as the oil is distilled in the hot air. I always collect a few plants when I can, in preference to the "tame" thyme I grow in my garden.
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Hoping these photographs may add to Tony's comments about the variability of dactylorhizas.
Tony, These were taken in the wooded area below the Mannlichen cable car station on the Wengen side.
Lesley, on our visit the weather was very variable, from days of being completely clouded in to days of sparkling sunshine and blue skies. On these latter days the smell of the wild thyme was absolutely delicious - who wants to smell chives?
Paddy
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Nigritella for comparison.
This was taken in the Botanic Gardens at Schynice Platte
Paddy
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Paddy - thanks for these pics. Did you walk UP from Wengen?? The climb up to the Mannlichen is not for the faint hearted. (BTW your last pic in the dactylorhiza sequence is not a dactylorhiza at all ... it is Pedicularis verticillata doing a passable imitation. Look at the stem leaves and you'll see it is no orchid.)
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Tony,
These were from a walk BELOW the Mannlichen cable car station, below in Wengen that is. No, I certainly did not even contemplate attempting walking UP to the Mannlichen; that would be a climb not a walk, I think.
Many thanks for your correction on the last photograph. It was only one of many confusions in identification for me while there. For anyone going on a visit there for the first time and of similar experience to me (little experience, in other words) a visit to the Botanic Gardens at Schynige Platte would be of enormous benefit as there are dozens and dozens of plants in flower and all clearly labelled.
Paddy
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Feel free to post more of your pics here. Happy to help with IDs where I can and where I cannot someone else will :) :). I have a copy of Flora Helvetica which is invaluable in naming some of the more obscure things. The text is in german but the distribution maps are helpful and the pictures excellent. It is VERY heavy though so it does not go out on day trips with me.
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Feel free to post more of your pics here
Absolutely. Super pictures Tony - a bit different from Norwich!! ;)
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As the morning progressed the sun broke through the clouds and out of the wind it began to feel like summer. By July there are some larger plants in flower in the meadows such as Adenostyles alliariae but there are still plenty of little gems. One such was Tofieldia calyculata, a tiny (and slightly improbable) member of the Liliaceae. In damp places Eriophorum was abundant with its cottony tufts taking the eye away from companion plants until on closer inspection a great display of dactylorhizas was evident.
Disturbed from my low level photography by a thunderous rumble I looked up to see an avalanche. A torrent of ice crashed down from the icefields high above. The great clouds of ice and snow had subsided by the time thecamera was primed for distant shots but the evidence was still clear to see.
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Wonderful to share this visit with these super views of the glorious landscape. No surprise, perhaps, that my favourite pix have the Rhododendrons in the foreground!! ::)
I adore all Pedicularis and really wish more were amenable to cultivation.
Once I tore myself away from the portraits of the Hubis, I was delighted to see that old tribute to my favourite stock..... a little artistic licence taken of course.... my dress actually was white with blue spots ;) I make no comment about my companion.... :-X
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Here is a pic with a Rhodie in the background ... without flowers :(
Aconitum napellus ... ssp compactum I think. This seems to be a complex group and I have rarely been in the mountains late enough to see them in flower.
Buds from a tall gentian were tight closed at first on the walk but as I descended they were a bit more advanced. The third pic was the only one that I saw open.
As with the last two there will be more Arnica montana to see if you visit in August. I did see it in profusion in 2003 in June but that was a heatwave year and everything was much more advanced than is usual.
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Tony,
When we were in Wengen the Gentiana purpurea were in tight bud, not even showing a sign of colour.
However, in another location, Gentiana lutea was in flower and in profusion in the meadows on the hillside on the approach to Schinige Platte. These photographs were taken out the window of the train which fortunately travels at a slow pace and the windows were wide open.
Imagine - where the cows had been allowed to graze the Gentiana lutea were all well chopped down. What a dreadful end for such a beautiful plant. A notice in the Botanic Garden at Schinige Platte informed the visitor that the root of Geniana lutea was used in the production of schnapps but visitors should be careful not to confuse the plant with the veratrum, which also grew locally, as the veratrum was poisonous. Personally, I confined myself to the schnapps which came in the bottle.
Paddy
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A few views from the area of Schinige Platte, showing meadows and the richness of flowers in them. Look carefully at the second last photograph - can you spot the paraglider? If not, the last photograph has zoomed in on him. I found scenes such as this hugely captivating as they brought home the great height as which we stood. On other occasions we looked down on helicopters and aeroplanes in flight. It struck me as so very odd.
Paddy
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Three gentians.
The first two photographs are of Gentians bavarica - I think, but would welcome a correction if it is in order.
Identification for the other two gentians would be very welcome. These latter were photographed in quite heavy rain, seemingly a common experience in the mountains and for that matter here in Ireland at present. A town in the south west of the country had the equivalent of four weeks rain in as many hours on Thursday last; the local river broke its banks; cars floated away; houses were flooded; electricity power lost; people rescued etc. Just a typical Irish summer day, really.
Paddy
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A few pink things for Maggi and the final photograph for Cliff Booker - Cliff and Diane Clements gave me invaluable information and advice before my departure which proved a great help on the holiday. I followed Cliff's suggestions for walks and was certainly delighted with the experience, missing only one which I truly would have liked to have done, that along the base of the Eiger. Diane posted excellent photographs of this area last year but the weather didn't permit the walk for us but then this is a good reason to return another year, I suppose.
Paddy
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Really nice pink things, there, Paddy, thank you....surely I can't be the only one grateful to see them? ::)
Bit worried about you making Mary take a hang glider down the mountain so she could get to the bar quicker to order your schnapps..... :-\
Have been reading about the Irish flood damage... very scary.... hope no lives lost.
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Hi Maggi,
Great to see you up and in touch. Hope you are improving as each day goes by. I know from my sister that this is an absolutely dreadfully annoying condition and so hope you mend quickly.
Of course, the pink things are for everybody but you had expressed an interest in the rhododendrons. They grew in profusion in the mountains. On seeing the first one I was snapping furiously with the camera but soon there were so many as to become common place.
Yes, Mary became quite a dab hand at the parachuting. Indeed, Mary became quite dab hand at the mountain walking, going so far as to purchase a pair of those proper walking shoes, "Lowa" brand, something she would previously not have been seen dead in but she really enjoyed the walking and we put in long treks each day, a great treat. In my young days I spent quite an amount of time hill walking, camping out etc but this stopped shortly after meeting Mary. She was most certainly a "townie" and had no intentions of traipsing about in the mud. She came with me on one walk and camp out. We awoke high in the mountains completely fogged in, visibility at about ten feet and although I led her back down the mountain to where the car was parked, she never believed it was anything other than sheer luck and was too nervous to ever go up the mountains again. She is planning a spring break on the Burren at present so our trip to Wengen has had some excellent side effects.
Take care, Paddy
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I'm so pleased that Mary has been encouraged, in large part due to seeing the great photos on this site, I hope, to get such fun out of a "flowery" holiday.... she'll be ready for a new trip every holiday time now, i hope! Do you both good!
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Many thanks Paddy,
So very glad that you both enjoyed your time in those glorious mountains, makes the anticipation of your next trip even greater.
Just returned from our annual 'pilgrimage' to Arabba in the Italian Dolomites (leading wildflower walks for Collett's Mountain Holidays) and I'm delighted to say that the two and a half weeks of our stay were emblazoned with majestic meadows, stunning screes and perfect peaks ... the Dollies were as floriferous as ever. Will endeavour to post some of the two thousand plus images when time and tide allow.
Maggi, please get well soon, 'rockers' worldwide send their love.
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Nice pics Paddy. I too saw Gentiana lutea, in fact here it is, as it featured on the Kleine Schedegg - Biglenalp walk that I am in the middle of here!
I have a tendancy to seek out and photograph the less common plants, often failing to properly record the abundant yellow jobs that light up the hillsides. In the case of the 'dandelion mob' naming them is fiendish but here is an easy one, Anthyllis vulneraria including a pale form.
Abundant in lower meadows and mostly chewed by cows or cut with the silage at this stage of the season, was Campanula rhomboidalis. Quite tall and with rhombus shaped leaves it is quietly attractive.
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WoW! look at the fringe on her... and on those charming ears! What a stunner and so well coiffed for the mountains... there must be a good local salon :D
Not to mention the eyelashes.... very glam.
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Hmmm
I had to walk through the herd. They all seemed to have their backs to me actually ..... quiite threatening when the path runs through a steep sided gulley with you at the bottom. I survived unsoiled (unlike the path :P) and turned to look the last of the enemy in the eye :-*
I had taken a turn off the beaten track at Biglenalp to visit the famous Slipper Orchid site. As expected the flowers were long over, indeed the meadow had been visited by my bovine friends. I did find Listera ovata, the common twayblade nestling up against a small pine.
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A truly beautiful bovine lady. No-one would refer to her as "that old cow!"
Our friend Thomas is home from Switzerland so I expect there will be some competition soon, for space on this thread.
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Wonderful pictures Tony and Paddy ! Majestic scenery and great plants !
The fun you seem to've had shows from every single photograph !
Thanks a lot for sharing and I'm sure there's more where this comes from... ;)
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We'll soon be on to the Eiger Trail for Paddy. But first to finish the 'morning' walk. There was a slightly different mix of plants on the glacial moraine above Biglenalp. In light woodland Platanthera bifolia, Lesser Butterfly orchid was a new find for me in Switzerland. On close inspection it was apparent that plant in the wild can suffer from the same problems as those in gardens! There were also some good stands of Gymnadenia conopsea, Fragrant Orchid.
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Tony,
Following on your remarks above about the more common plants, the many yellow blobs etc, which cover the ground in this area and your preference for the more unusual, it is only fair to say that for me it was all new and all so very amazing to see such a wealth of species and, as each was new, each was of great interest so that I spent my time with a camera seemingly permanently fixed to my face and snapped anything that wasn't green really. It was a tremendous experience, really, and I am still sorting out the naming of photographs and using your postings to identify some as I go along.
I saw these spreads of Gymnadenia conopsea which you have shown but dismissed them as yet another group of dactylorrhiza - god, how quickly one can become snobbish!
Here are a few of the flowers on the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheiddegg walk.
Circium spinosissimum was a very eye-catching plant, very plentiful in the area.
Pulsatilla apiifolia was all but gone out of flower and we only came on one patch where a few bedraggled blossoms still survived. The seedheads were in huge numbers and made us wish we had seen them in full flower. It really must have been a spectacular sight.
Ranunculus glacialis was uncommon but there was one good patch where they snow had only recently thawed.
Ranunculus narcissifolius was very common and in places made a great splash over the mountainside.
More later. Paddy
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Are the names correct? Anemone narcissiflora and Ranunculus alpestris??
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Franz,
Many thanks for the correction and Johann, as I had mentioned in an earlier posting, I would welcome comments and corrections on my naming. This was my first time in this area and I most certainly struggled with the identification and would welcome any viewers of the photographs to comment on identification. Gradually, I will learn all the names. Re the Ranunculus narcissiflora - this is indeed Anemone narcissiflora. I took this name from the planting and labelling in the botanic gardens at Schinigge Platte (and then wrote it incorrectly, sorry) though it did strike me as odd how "narcissiflora" could apply in any way to this plant as I could see no resemblance in any part of the plant to a narcissus. I shall go back and make corrections to the names.
Many thanks, Paddy
Just by way of explanation: Franz's posting seems to have been withdrawn between my reading of it and my writing of the above.
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Paddy,
There is no Ranunculus narcissifolius . Sorry. I had a blackout! Your picture shows Anemone narcissiflora.
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Many thanks, Franz.
As you are now well aware, I am plodding with difficulty through identification of all the plants I saw in Wengen. It was a wonderful experience and I hope you and others will make it more complete by commenting on the plant names as I post them. This would be GREATLY appreciated.
A few more plants below including Soldanella alpina which I was thrilled to see in the wild. It was growing alongside a large patch of snow and obviously the ground on which it was blooming had only recently been covered by snow.
Paddy
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Worry not Paddy,
Your photos are lovely and we can soon assist with identifications where necessary.
You may be tempted to try the Dolomites next?
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Many thanks, Cliff.
Please do comment on names of plants. I know people might not wish to be seen to be "correcting" someone's postings but this is certainly an occasion when all comments, corrections, identifications would be so very welcome and greatly appreciated.
Go back and look at the posting of gentians earlier for an identifications, please.
The Dolomites are fabulous. Mary would prefer them any time.
Paddy
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Tony & Paddy,
thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.
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Paddy
I think you are right about the Gentiana bavarica. I too saw this one, often in very wet places. It flowers later than G verna which was almost entirely over by the time I got there. The other gentians are both Gentiana acaulis (at least from that group). I saw similar pale/bicolor ones near First, above Grindelwald a few years ago.
The latest post from the top are:
Trifolium alpinum
Geranium sylvaticum
Phyteuma spicata
Silene vulgaris (I think!)
Anemone narcissisflora takes its name from the bunch headed paperwhite narcissus of the tazetta group.
Keep the pics coming. And don't mind the rain, it is a great sadness that some of my best alpine pics are slides taken in wet weather a few years ago and cannot be shown here. The water droplets add atmosphere in a way that bright sun does not ;)
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Tony,
Many thanks indeed, greatly appreciated.
Re the two gentians - the two larger trumpeted ones - there seemed to me to be two gentians involved here and both were abundant in the Mannlichen - Kleine Scheidegg area. One was entirely blue inside and outside of the trumpet. The other was often very strongly coloured/striped green on the trumpet.
I'll look for other photographs which might show this more clearly.
Paddy
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Here are photographs of two gentians, one with a blue trumpet and the other with a greenish trumpet. Are they variations of G. acaulis, do you think?
These plants were growing in close proximity and certainly in similar conditions which, at the time of our visit, were very very wet.
I should also comment that there were other plants which had this greenish colouration to a lesser degree, some in only a very small amount and then situated immediately behind the mouth of the trumpet.
I suppose these could be wide variations of the same species. If so, I am amazed at the level of variation.
A little reading has told me that G. acaulis is quite similar to G. clusii in appearance but that C. clusii does not have the olive green stripes. Another important factor from the point of view of the plants I have shown here is that G. clusii is found on alkaline soil while G. acaulis is found on acidic soil. Given that rhododendrons were also abundant in this area it would be reasonably safe to presume that the soil was acidic here and this would most likely preclude considering G. clusii from consideration.
Also, a photograph of Soldinella alpina which I meant to post earlier. It is certainly a clump I would enjoy having in my garden.
Paddy
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Paddy,
Your latest image of soldanella is probably of the beautiful Soldanella pusilla - smaller, more rounded and often more pink than purple thimbles. Your first soldanella was certainly S. alpina.
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That was my first thought too Cliff but then I wondered if it is not just the cold and wet conditions fooling us. Where did you take that pic Paddy? I have not seen S pusilla around Wengen, only arouond Bachsee near aforementioned First.
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Cliff & Tony,
You two are up early!
The photographs of the soldanellas were all taken on a walk from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheiddegg. I came on a single plant of soldanella quite close to the Mannlichen cable car station. Then there was a large colony about half way to Kleine Scheiddegg to the side of a large snowbank. Photographs from this colony were posted earlier. This large clump of soldanella was further on and much closer to Kleine Scheiddegg, no remnant of snow in this area. Here are some more photographs from this area, the same area where the large clump was growing. I hope they may show the plants a little clearer for you.
I should mention, as it may have had an influence on how much the flowers might have opened, that the day was heavily overcast with continuous heavy drizzle to light rain.
Many thanks for your interest and help with identification.
Paddy
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Intriguing Paddy,
The first and second images are inconclusive, but the third shouts; Soldanella alpina.
We have certainly seen S. pusilla in the region but, as it was way back in June 2004, we cannot be certain of location ... though, as prompted by Tony, First does ring a bell.
Just proves that plant identification can be a minefield ... especially in inclement weather (and after wine)! :)
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Cliff,
These, and almost all other plants on that day, were certainly under the weather and not looking their best.
I previously did a lot of bird netting and ringing with a very experienced ornithologist and he used advise along the following lines: if you are not sure what it is, always presume it is a sparrow. This was in reaction to those 'twitchers' who would always claim to have seen something extremely rare and unusual. He thought it better to presume the ordinary until uncontradictable proof for the uncommon existed. So, perhaps, it might be better to presume Soldanella alpina - at least for the present!
If you have a minute, please look back at the gentians posted earlier.
Many thanks, Paddy
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Paddy,
It is Gentiana acaulis. It does not have to be blue always. It is a little variable in the colour.
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Franz,
Many thanks. While I could identify it in its blue form, I found those with lots of green very confusing. I found it hard to credit that there would be so much variation. Quite amazing, really.
Many thanks, Paddy
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Hello all,I am enjoying your chat about Switzerland thanks for that.may I offer my contribution,We were in Grindelwald the last 10 days of June,Soldanella pusilla can be seen on the walk from First to Backalpsee.
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Tony,
Really, I hope we will hear and see more of your stay in Grindelwald. While we were there we didn't venture to that side of the hill at all but would have loved to do so - as I said previously, that's a good reason to plan another holiday in the area.
Tony Goode will shortly post photographs of a walk from Kleine Scheiddegg across under the Eiger and over in the direction of Grindelwald which promises to be very interesting.
Looking forward to more posts from you, Tony. You will have photographs of another area which would be of interest.
Paddy
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Tony and Paddy Nice to see plants from different times. Pam and I went to Wengen at the end of June but haven't had much time to resize etc till now. Here a few pictures below the Eigergletcher (glacier)
I have posted I think 2 different Ranunculus one seems to be alpestris but the other looks like crenatus. Any views please as the book suggests that crenatus is not from here
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Searching for the elusive Cyps with friends Ron and Joan Beeston and Eureka :o
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Here a couple from the eiger trail. Unfortunately for most of that day the Eiger north wall was shrouded in cloud - otherwise we may have gone for the top ::). The plants here were plentiful and varied though the scenic photos don't always show this
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Hi Ian,
Great to see you photographs from your visit. I had done a recce for the Cypridpediums but they were no longer in flower. Lucky you.
Paddy
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Speaking as one who gets very dizzy on a low step ladder the Eiger trail looks very scary :-[
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Its not as bad as it looks. I met two mountain bikers coming down as I approached the top at 7pm ... they were wearing full body armour but I don't think they expected to need it. :o
I'll try and sort my pics out tonight.
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Ian,
Both pictures show Ranunculus alpestris.
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Ian that alpine meadow shot is superb. Looks like you were there at just the right time to see some of the best flowers. Did you notice any hybrids between the Primula auricula and Primula hirsuta pictured?
My walk up the Eiger trail was just that, a walk up! I started at Alpiglen and walked up to Eigergletscher .... then back down to Kleine Scheidegg for my evening meal. Having set off at 9am for Biglenalp and spent around five and a half hours on the go in the first half of the day it was a difficult decision. I could only fit in the trail in the uphill direction unless I wanted to walk back from Alpiglen which was out of the question. I set off at around 4pm in increasingly overcast conditions. This was OK as the first hour is a long steep uphill drag, switch-backing across meadow and rocky places until the first, albeit grassy screes are reached. Better cooler conditions for such a climb. The greatest variety of flowers was in this section as there was also a variety of habitats. However the higher parts have an interesting mix of flowers although I was too late for the flush of spring flowers that Ian saw. There was still one short stretch over snow at the top end even at the end of July.
I've started with a couple of shots taken in 2001 from the Mannlichen ridge which show you where the walk is situated. The obvious line of grey is the railway, a long way BELOW the path!
Campanula cochlearifolia was seen almost throughout.
Saxifraga azoides mostly in the lower reaches although it was in bud at the top of this steep climb
Pyrola rotundifolia (I think - will look it up when at home later) was seen in some surprisingly open places for a plant I have seen in woodland in the Pyrenees.
Parnassia palustris always takes the eye with its almost transluscent white flowers.
Looking up into the clouds to finish this batch. More later covering the 'easier' bit of the stroll :D
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Tony that is what I call a tough day. No wonder ypou only went for 31/2 days you needed to stop and have a rest. When we did it we went down to Alpiglen and then in the afternoon went over to First but didn't do much walking then just trying to get value out of our 6 day pass
I didn't see any hybrids with Hirsuta but I must confess I thought it's colour deserved centre stage in the photograph
Here is our walk for the Mannlichen
Could anyone identify the fern and the plant captioned Whats this please
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Whats this please
Is it an Ajuga?
Fabulous pictures, all the Wengen travellers! I'm almost jealous, but we had our own super holiday in Austria, pictures to follow when I've resized them.
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Thanks to all Switzerland freaks for all these fine pictures.
I think the first pic shows Ajuga pyramidalis and the other one the Holly fern,Polystichum lonchitis.
Rudi
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Ah, good, a trip to Austria to look forward to.... I'll pack the sandwiches.... 8)
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Don't miss the chocolate ;) ;D
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Ah, good, a trip to Austria to look forward to.... I'll pack the sandwiches.... 8)
Sandwiches will not be needed when there's puds like this
;) ;) ;)
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Ah! Apfelstrudel mit Sahne und Früchten!
Lecker ;D
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what do you mean... "which pud?" Both, naturally!!
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Ah! Apfelstrudel mit Sahne und Früchten!
Lecker ;D
Nicht Sahne. In Österreich man sagt Schlagobers
(sorry if my German is bad! should the verb should go to the end??)
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Daine,
your German is excellent :D
You are right. Sahne=Schagobers=Schlagrahm. All are synonyms.
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Eiger Trail part 2
Up onto the screes and the path levels out .... a bit :)
Saxifrage caesia - I've only seen buds on earlier visits. Always in dry rocky places.
Usually bright reddish pink, this pale/bicolored form of Pedicularis is less common. I have only seen it here.
Dryas octopetala - huge patches still in flower where the snow laid late.
Campanula cochllearifolia - flowering on the rocks. Higher than this it wa sstill in bud.
Oxytropis campestris (I think) - I'm drawn to these pea flowers but they are not always easy to identify.
As the path continues to gain height the end appears to be in sight .... thank goodness as its started to rain :'(
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Diane and Rudi thanks for the ID's now where is Mr Ranunculus to sort out my id's for the buttercups I posted earlier.The first looks like alpestris and the second crenatus is this correct? Here they are again if you missed them the first time.
Also a few more from the Mannlichen. We also saw some sort of weasel which I thought too small to be a stoat (ermine) any ideas
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Ian,
Both pictures show Ranunculus alpestris.
Ian, Franz made this post earlier....... your Ranuncs are R. alpestris 8)..... I'm always inclined to go with Franz' diagnosis!
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I'm with the others - they're Ranunculus alpestris. These plants can look quite different at various stages of development. (Although yours look a bit the same :))
Here it is on the Eiger Trail
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Franz thanks for the ID. Maggi it was another senior moment I'm afraid - too many these days ???
A few assorted shots. Would appreciate opinions on the id of the campanula
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Ian,
Both pictures show Ranunculus alpestris.
Good morning Ian,
Franz had already posted the definitive answer and I agreed with him totally.
So glad you enjoyed your trip.
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I would say that your Campanula is the plant I am calling Campanula rhomboidalis. I posted a couple of pics earlier in this thread. Nice meadow plant, not as tall as C latifolia and its close allies which flowers later but more robust than the rotundifolia group.
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Tony, is that really me on the first photo ? ;D
I'm still sorting my own photos and cleaning my desk after 3 weeks of absence at work
and hope to post some in the next days. Meanwhile I enjoy all the other postings :o
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It was just an illusion .... over the top and the path dropped steeply only to rise up again across the final scree where I met the mountain bikers. As the light was failing and the rain falling fewer pics for you but despite the elements it was an exhilerating experience.
The Cerastium is C uniflorum (or possibly C latifolium) and the Veronica is V aphylla.
The drop down to Kleine Scheidegg was hard on tired knees, especially in the wet. I'd reccommend taking the train in the uphill direction if you need a good workout but get to Eigergletscher in time for the last train down :P (I set out knowing my fate was to walk the whole thing though.)
At Eigergletscher the view across to Murren on the other side of the Lauterbrunnen valley takes in the avalanche mentioned earlier, this time viewed from above.
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Tony thanks for the Id of the campanula these can be confusing. It seemed like Rotundifolia but more substantial and now I look it up I find rhomboidalis belongs to the group. Thanks again
Franz and Cliff thanks also for such a positive ID.The reason that I asked about alpestris and crenatus was that there appeared to be a distinct difference in the foliage of the plants I saw with some having leaves which looked crenate and others being more divided. Does the foliage on alpestris vary a lot?
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On the next morning (day 2 of 3) the sun shone .... to celebrate the arrival of friends. I took the train down to Lauterbrunnen to meet the Hubis before we all went up onto the Mannlichen. After a stiff climb (!) we needed a lie down ... also necessary to properly appreciate one of the smallest gentians. Gentiana nivalis - the Snow Gentian.
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Tony
Hope you have more to show us.
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Finally I have sorted out some photos of my trip with Tony and the Hubi's to Männlichen.
- 41 Phyteuma hemisphericum & Achillea atrata
- 54 Pyrola media
- 59 Astrantia minor
- 87 Linaria alpina
- 101 Pseudorchis albida
- 58 Saxifraga bryoides
- 006 Celine and Große Scheidegg above Grindelwald
- 27 Breakfast above the clouds with Chris and Tanja
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And some more photos of this beautiful day (please note Tony's jacket!)
- 26 Pedicularis verticillata
- 81 Astragalus alpinus
- 106 Campanula scheuzeri & trifolium badium
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hurrah for Tony's jacket!! So it is Tony who is the old man with the bad knee, then ? ;) ::)
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Oh! My word! In pic 054.... Pyrola media.... one of our most favourite flowers! How beautiful.
Great photos, Hubi, though, of course, we expect nothing less !! Must study others more closely...... :)
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Superb pictures Thomas !
Many thanks for showing us and 3 hurrays for Tony wearing his jacket even in full sun at 25°C, as such ensuring the PR work for the SRGC anyway !! ;D
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hurrah for Tony's jacket!! So it is Tony who is the old man with the bad knee, then ? ;) ::)
Noooo, Tony's the YOUNG man with the bad knee 8)
Luc, it was much colder than 25°, and I'm with you, that this jacket suits him very well.
What a pity I didn't have such a good jacket - I even forgot my cap this day :P
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Thomas is the younger man and lets hear no more about it ...(creak, groan ;))
Fantastic pics Thomas .... better than mine and the depth of field on some is awesome.
Names:
pic 58 Saxifraga bryoides
pic 59 Astrantia minor ..... I told you it was a great shot!
pic 101 Pseudorchis albida
pic 106 Campanula scheuzeri & trifolium badium
pic 41 Phyteuma hemisphericum & Achillea atrata
pic 81 Astragalus alpinus
pic 26 Pedicularis verticillata
More please?!
Maggi - how do I tell these Pyrola apart? My German does not stretch to the details in Flora helvetica and having left the leaves in Switzerland I am struggling to distinguish between media and rotundifolia.
And here are a few of mine
Gentiana nivalis - opens in the sunshine so when the sun was high we saw more of them.
Coeloglossum viride, Frog Orchid - can be hard to spot but this was a fine specimen
Achillea atrata - all on its own
Lotus alpinus and Salix retusa (open to correction on these) carpeting a hillside above the path
After I parted from the Hubis I stopped in Wengen for supplies and snapped a couple of shots of the Cablecar just for 'background info' in talks. Only when I got home did I spot the joyrider :o
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[quoteMaggi - how do I tell these Pyrola apart? My German does not stretch to the details in Flora helvetica and having left the leaves in Switzerland I am struggling to distinguish between media and rotundifolia.
quote]
Tony, I think you'll need to take me out to the hillside to study fully!! ;)
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Mmm - does Ian have to come too :o :-X
Next time Hubi and I plan a trip shall we give everyone a bit more notice?
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Perhaps that's a good idea, Tony!
As far as I'm concerned, and lord knows I am not an expert... I think that P. media actually has rounder leaves than P. rotundifolia. ???
The petiole of P. rotundifolia is quite long, but sometimes that is the case for P. media, too. Confused?... you will be! Outline of leaf on media is pretty smooth whereas on rotundifolia it can be ever so slightly scalloped near the petiole and up at the "shoulders", so to speak.... that any help or are you for sure going without me?
Style on media should be straight... but it should also be exerted from the flower and it doesn't seem to be the case inthe phot... hmm! I'm confused ,now, too :-[
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Very interesting discussion folks ... we have just experienced similar debate on our treks in the Dolomites.
Guests queried 'rotundifolia' when the leaves were distinctly uncircular. We got round it by blaming global warming! :)
Magnificent topic gents ... enjoying every image.
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Guests queried 'rotundifolia' when the leaves were distinctly uncircular. We got round it by blaming global warming!
Well, it's the easy answer, isn't it? ;D
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As far as I'm concerned, and lord knows I am not an expert... I think that P. media actually has rounder leaves than P. rotundifolia. ???
The petiole of P. rotundifolia is quite long, but sometimes that is the case for P. media, too. Confused?... you will be! Outline of leaf on media is pretty smooth whereas on rotundifolia it can be ever so slightly scalloped near the petiole and up at the "shoulders", so to speak.... that any help or are you for sure going without me?
Style on media should be straight... but it should also be exerted from the flower and it doesn't seem to be the case inthe phot... hmm! I'm confused ,now, too :-[
I had a feeling that it all came down to style ;D if media should have a straight style then does rotundifolia have a kinky one .... like this (posted in reply 69)
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I would think that is rotundifolia, Tony... more open shape to the flower is right, too.
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Thanks Maggi.
Here are the last of this years Mannlichen pics :'( It really is a great spot although decidedly better when you are up there alone or with just one good friend perhaps. To do this you have to go up early or late and be prepared for a walk up or down .... unless you choose to stay at the mountain guesthouse, hmmm, maybe next time. I snuck back up early on my last day for a quiet half hour ... bliss :) :)
Here are the pics to prove it. (Where Thomas and I had joined the crowds 21 hours earlier I was almost alone at 9am.)
Aster alpinus - looking brighter on a warm sunny day
Campanula barbata - same plant as on day I arrived but 3 more flowers now.
Parnassia palustris - a fine clump
Erigeron neglectus - Certainly an erigeron. (Could be E. uniflorus or E. alpinus though)
Chamorchis alpina - would have missed it but for the adjacent gentian and even then nearly marked it off as another Frog Orchid. Compare with earlier post of Frog Orchid and you'll see the difference. This one was a small specimen though.
Perhaps saving the best for last, Anemone narcissiflora makes a fine sight against the blue sky.
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Lovely, indeed... I think you guys should be working for a calendar or greetings card company!!
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Tony,
You obviously caught great light with these last photographs, very well captured.
The weather certainly made a huge difference to the experience of being in the mountains. Earlier you showed a photograph of Murren taken from the Eigergletcher morraine. On the day we walked along the morraine there was no sign of Murren and that side of the valley was only seen in brief glimpses. As we walked up the clouds were following us from lower in the valley in great grey drifts and for much of our time we were engulfed in mist. I really must get back on a day that the sun is shining.
Great photographs, really enjoying looking at them.
Paddy
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Lovely, indeed... I think you guys should be working for a calendar or greetings card company!!
Open to offers .... although actually I'm after trying my hand as a tour leader. I cannot imagine a better 'job'. ;D
Paddy, it is always worth going back despite what people will tell you about 'its never so good as the first time' (Steady Maggi ;)) This was my fifth visit. I've been with friends, alone and with the family. Monday-Thursday was the shortest trip but I did manage to be atop the Schilthorn within 6 hours of leaving the UK on a very early flight!
Some of my best pics were taken in indifferent weather but I have been lucky in that I have always had some really good days. The season varies from year to year so even if you go at the same time of year you may see quite a different range of plants. But then there are a whole lot of other great places to visit in the Alps .... or the Pyrenees ... or ..... :)
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I cannot imagine a better 'job'.
Not even chief taster in a chocolate shop? ::)
Tour Leading can surely have its drawbacks, like any job, Tony....when dealing with the public, even the plant-loving public.... there is always "one"..... ::) :P ;)
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Better than chocolate - sorry :P
In my line of work I meet 'one' every day... and that's just the staff :D
Seriously though, I do know what you mean. I started my alpine travels on a couple of organised tours but after dealing with the public every day for 26 years there is not much that phases me now 8) .... I recently was given a box of chocolates by an old biddy (we call her Winnie the Witch) who has been terrorising shop staff in Norwich for years - now I need an even bigger challenge :)
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In my line of work I meet 'one' every day... and that's just the staff :D
Seriously though, I do know what you mean. I started my alpine travels on a couple of organised tours but after dealing with the public every day for 26 years there is not much that phases me now 8) .... I recently was given a box of chocolates by an old biddy (we call her Winnie the Witch) who has been terrorising shop staff in Norwich for years - now I need an even bigger challenge :)
Tee Hee! ;D
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Open to offers .... although actually I'm after trying my hand as a tour leader. I cannot imagine a better 'job'. ;D
Tony
It depends on the people you lead.
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Tony, many thanks for your ID-help! I know you already told me their names, when we've been there,
but my memory has turned very bad since I reached the 40 level :-[ I've put the names into my first
postings for easy search.
And don't put your photos down - they are at least as good as mine, if not better, especially the morning light photos!!!
Some more photos, made on the Brienzer Rothorn together with Tony.
The hubi's were left in Brienz and had a good time on the lake
- 049 View from the Rothorn above the Brienzer See
- 051 Campanula above the lake
- 056 Traunsteinia globosa
- 069 two crocus freaks
- 082 same orchid, different view
- 043 Gentiana acaulis, the darkest blue in acaulis I've ever seen
- 041 Edelweiß, Leontopodium alpinum
- 044 nice clump of Linaria alpina
- 095 You will never guess, what Tony has seen to be shocked like this - the answer will be posted somewhat later :D ;D 8)
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The day before we met Tony, was spend in Luzern where we enjoyed the view over the
- 07 Vierwaldstätter-See and the
- 23 Kapell-Bridge with the Watertower.
The day after dropping of Tony in Interlaken we visited Engstlenalp above Innertkirchen:
- 021 Globularia nudicaulis
- 024 Saxifraga moschata
- 072 Leucanthemum ?vulgare or halleri
- 113 Phyteuma betonicifolium
- 096 Eriphorum scheuchzerii
- 062 Gentiana lutea
- 045 Sempervivum montanum
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And now the answer for Tony's shocked face, but before you continue, one wellmeant tipp:
Sensitive, touchy softies and crybabies should not open this photo ;D :o ;D
Chris was searching for Crocus seeds on a special place:
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You have a vet in the making there Thomas! Remind him to lift the tail first (and only LADY cows)!
Really enjoying your 'twin' postings.
We could possibly find an opening for you if you are serious Tony. (and I don't mean in the back of a ruminant)!
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I did it on purpose ... my mother does the same thing when someone points a camera at her ;D
When the junior vet performed his search I would have been doubled up laughing :D
Thomas
21 Globularia nudicaulis
24 Saxifraga moschata
72 Leucanthemum ?vulgare or halleri
113 Phyteuma betonicifolium
Orchid on Rothorn - Traunsteinia globosa
Here are some of my pics from our Brienz Rothorn excursion ... it was heroic of Thomas to accompany me since he does not share my passion for steam. Next time you get to call the shots guy!
Campanula thyrsoides - only the one flowering plant did we see. Come to think of it I've only ever seen singletons.
Helianthemum nummularium - a bit dwarf up on this exposed ridge.
Heiraceum species abound in this region (as everywhere?) full Id can be left to expert .... but would anyone challenge me if I got it wrong? :)
Galium anisophyllum (open to corrections here) was very dwarf and compact. One of those plants that usually get passed by.
Centaurea montana - bizarrely I was weeding around this in my Mothers London garden 24 hours after taking this pic!
Cliff - a PM conversation would be best. I need an excuse to go flower hunting for more than 3 days :)
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You have a vet in the making there Thomas! Remind him to lift the tail first (and only LADY cows)!
Really enjoying your 'twin' postings.
We could possibly find an opening for you if you are serious Tony. (and I don't mean in the back of a ruminant)!
Aren't all COWS ladies? ;D
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Great sets of pictures folks, I have thoroughly enjoyed them, thank you.
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Thomas and Tony
Have thoroughly enjoyed your postings. It is 50 years since I visited the area as a schoolboy - I think a return trip is called for.
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Aren't all COWS ladies? ;D
[/quote]
Oh yes!!! ??? Doh!
Another load of bull from Whitworth
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Thanks Tony for the ID's and everybody for the compliments.
Will post some more photos later.
Arthur 50 years are a long time, I can't remember what I did 50 years ago ;)
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I have trouble remembering what I did 50 minutes ago! :(
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Thank you all for those beautiful pictures of Switzerland.
I have been often in Switzerland, bur rarely had the time to walk in the
mountains. But I visited once Schynige Platte, under the guidance of
the man who was the initiator of this garden. He was the Director of
the Gardening Highschool at Oeschberg. So was very happy with the pictures from there.
I know still exactly what I was doing 50 years ago:
I worked in a Swiss perennial nursery.
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Here is my final offering for this trip. I am returning to Kleine Scheidegg by the last train of the day. As the sun dips in the west the evening light shows off some of the unsung heroes of the alpine pastures.
Phyteuma hemisphericum
Thymus sp
Rhinanthus sp
Potentilla sp
Polygonum sp
Dactylorhiza
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And after a good meal as dusk falls the last rays of the sun illuminate the peaks in an unforgettable (the pics do not do it justice) sunset. 8)
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What a cracking way to end Tony, fabulous pictures.
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Amazing pictures - they just get better and better. Love your last batch Tony. Plants, people, scenery, all are very special.
Thomas - you offered me seeds of Crocus albiflorus. I hope they didn't come from THAT place! :o There's no doubt the pair of you gents make an excellent team in the mountains. Some more from you soon I hope Thomas.
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What a pity, I've missed the wonderful sunset, Tony! :-[
One of my favourite routes for driving by car is the glacier trip: Grimsel-, Furka- and Sustenpass:
029 - Phyteuma ?
049 - Breakfast on top of Grimsel
054 - Leucanthemopsis alpina
066 - View down the Grimselpass to the Furka-pass
On our way to the top of Furka we found this wonderful meadow:
084 - Campanula thyrsoides
086 - Paradisea lileastrum
089 - Pulsatilla seedheads
092 - Lilium martagon
087 - Pedicularis foliosa
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Lovely pedicularis in the last pic, Hubi. Why the crutches with the children? Who has a bad leg?? :o :( ??? :-\
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Maggi, Chris was playing football and got hurt. We've been in hospital and they told us it can last at least 3 weeks.
But after 3 days everything was over :D :D :D
101 - View to the Rhone-glacier from Hotel Bellevue half way up the Furka-pass
116 - view back to Grimsel-pass
131 - Celine searching for Crocus seeds (but there were none :-(
135 - Lupinias on Furka-pass
000+001 - Campanula thyrsoides, I found it only once as a single plant, together with Tony
on top of the Brienzer Rothorn, but here they grew just like a weed - a beautiful weed :o
144 - Saxifrage aizoides
137 - Epilobium fleischeri
140 - Teatime in this wonderful valley below the Susten-pass.
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These have been brilliant pictures, thanks very much everyone
Sue
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I am very pleased to hear that Chris had no lasting damage! It seems to me that Celine is growing tall very fast ... she is catching her brother now, isn't she? Soon they will both be as tall as Tanja 8)
Thanks for taking us on holiday, too, Guys!
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Thomas,
Great show, really enjoyed it. I had great intentions of putting some photographs up to join yours but have had a few very busy days and hope to get round to it during this week. In the meantime I am certainly enjoying looking at your photographs.
Paddy
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Thomas,
Super, super, super!
087 - Pedicularis ? = Pedicularis foliosa
144 - Saxifrage altiodes ? = S. aizoides
054 - ? = Leucanthemopsis alpina
137 - ? = Epilobium fleischeri
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I am very pleased to hear that Chris had no lasting damage! It seems to me that Celine is growing tall very fast ... she is catching her brother now, isn't she? Soon they will both be as tall as Tanja 8)
Yes, Maggi, it's really unbelievable how fast kids grow. I remember the were born just a few weeks ago, or so, and not long
in future they will be grown-up having their own family! I have to enjoy every day before that happens!!!
Many thanks Franz for your help!
The last batch of phots from Neustadt:
26 - View over the Brienzer Lake on a bike tour round the lake. But the trip wasn't as flat as expected :-[
45 - Break at the lake
06 - Visiting the Aare Canyon between Meiringen and Innertkirchen
09 - "
04 - The last day took me to Große Scheidegg with a good view to Kleine Scheidegg and Männlichen, where we met Tony
08 - Dianthus sylvestris
23 - Pseudorchis albida
19 - Viola palustris
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From the foliage it looks like a pale form of Viola palustris Thomas...
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From the foliage it looks like a pale form of Viola palustris Thomas...
Thanks Cliff!
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Thomas,
08 - Dianthus alpinus ? = Dianthus silvestris
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LOvely pics Thomas, especially the one of Celine and Chris at the lake. I can just hear him saying "Get off me!" in German of course. :)
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Franz, what would I be without you, thanks for your help!
Paddy, now we're waiting for your photos, to continue this thread!
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Paddy, now we're waiting for your photos, to continue this thread!
And also some from Tony Lee showing some of the Grindelwald side ;) ;)
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This has been a very good 2 or 3 weeks looking at plants in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Thanks to Tony,Thomas ,and Paddy for there super pictures,It seems ages since we were there.We always stay at the Derby Hotel in Grindelwald,I think we went there in the first place because we felt somehow at ease with the name Derby (2 old wrinkleys abroad for the first time )as we live just outside Derby England. As you come to the turminus station you are met with the view of the Wetterhorn.
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Derby Hotel
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The ride to Mannlichen is on the longest gondola in Europe I think about two miles taking 30mins,
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The short cable car ride to Pfingstegg and a walk to the Glacier is worthwhile,martagon lily can be found along here,
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Did not fancy a coffee,
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I like the walk from top of the First gondola to Grosse Scheidegg,slightly down hill,then bus back to Grindelwald,I have always thought the best gentians are here,It is probably because they are earlier
on this southerly facing side.
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almost white
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Walk the other way from first toward Bachalpsee,Primula farinosa,
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Primula elatior,
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The lake this is 2,200 mtrs the same as mannlichen,
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The busride to Bussalp 1800mtrs is somewhat hairy through floriforous meadows,from here you look across to Mannlichen,
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A walk back along the roadside is rewarding,Saxifraga oppositifolia,
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Globularia,
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We were here at the end of June a few days later and they would be gone.Lots of cows and goats here.
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Linaria alpina,
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Sempervivum,
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through the woods will bring you to Bort Halfway station of the First gondola,good unmown meadows here,St Brunos lily or is it St Bernards,
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If you really must you can walk from First to Schynige Platte in about 7 hours plus, and get the train down to Wilderswil.
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As a regular Lurker may I thank all of you who post for providing us with a lot of interst,and Maggie of course for keeping it all going.Cheers.
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As a regular Lurker may I thank all of you who post for providing us with a lot of interst,and Maggie of course for keeping it all going.Cheers.
No longer a lurker! Well done for the pictures Tony, super pics of a wonderful part of the world
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Tony, an added treat for us all... though if I had known I was going to be taking that gondola ride this evening, I would not have had such a large supper! ;)
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Delighted to see you posting on your visit to the Jungfrau area, Tony.
I had intended posting further photographs from my visit to the area but have been very busy - who says teachers don't have to work during the summer!
So, here are some photographs from the Schynigge Platte area. There is a Botanic Garden purely for alpine plants and makes an excellent start to a holiday to the area for the novice plant spotter as all the plants are clearly labelled. The gardens are free and just at the railway station and seem to blend seamlessly into the surrounding countryside where there are some very pleasant walks with interesting flowers and excellent views.
I'll try to follow up with some plants.
Paddy
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cor, Paddy, that was glorious weather! What super photos..... this is a really delightful thread!
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Maggi,
The weather was somewhat like that little girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead...
Some plants:
Paddy
Achillea 160708
Achillea clavenae 170708
Allium schoenoprasum
Allysum aspestre 160708
Androsace chamaejasme 160708
Anemone baldensis 160708
Antennaria dioicia 160708
Anthyllis alpestris 160708
Aquilegia alpina 160708
Arenaria ciliata 160708
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Continuing...
Paddy
Armeria montana 160708
Aster alpinus 160708
Aster alpinus 160708
Campanula thyrsoides 160708
Centaurea nervosa 160708
Cerastium latifolium 160708
Cerinthe glabra 160708
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Bit of a glitch with my last posting but sorted out now and continuing with more flowers. Paddy
Clematis alpina 170809
Cicerbita alpina 160708
Cortusa matthiola 160708
CREPIS AUREA 160708
Crepis pygmaea 160708
Delpinium elatum 160708
Delpinium elatum 160708
Epilobium alpestre 160708
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OK, I'm taking a break for tonight. Must have a read of other postings.
Paddy
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Wonderful pictures of amazing places, super plants. And there was I thinking it was all yodellers and lonely goatherds and holey cheese. Many thanks to all posters.
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What wonderful pictures and plants, Paddy. It looks as though you had a great time in the mountains.
But what is that intense blue across the top of your latest landscapes :o ??? :-\
I hope your LC results were up to expectations.
Ashley
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Paddy,
Super pictures and plants. Thanks
Armeria montana = Armeria alpina
Androsace chamaejasme = Androsace obtusifolia
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Many thanks, Franz.
Lesley, No LC here, JC only.
The blue of the last landscape is but a distant memory.
Paddy
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Another few from the same area - the sun was shining so it was a good day for photography.
Paddy
Erinus alpinus 160708
Eryngium alpinum 160708
Euphorbia cyparissias 160708
Globularia cordifolia 160708
Gypsophila repens 160708
Hedysarum hedysaroides 160708
Hellianthemum grandiflorum 160708
Heracleum alpinum 160708
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Same area again, Paddy
Hormium pyrenaicum 160708
Leontopodium alpinum 160708
Leucanthmum halleri 160708
Minuartia verna 160708
Nigritella rhellicani 160708
Papaver sendtheri 160708
Paradisea liliastrum 160708
Phyteuma globularifolium 160708
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A few more. Paddy
Pimpinella major 160708
Plantago serpentina 160708
Polemonium caeruleum 160708
Potentilla aurea 170608
Pulsatilla seedheads 160708
Ranunculus glacialis 160708
Salix 160708
Saxifraga rotundifolia 160708
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A wealth of wonderful plants, thanks everyone. This thread is just getting better and better. 8)
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Last few. Paddy
Scabiosa lucida 160708
Thalictrum aquiligifolium 160708
Tofieldia calyculata 160708
Trifolium badium 160708
Valeriana montana 160708
Valeriana montana 160708
Veronica fruiticans 160708
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Great show Paddy !
Wonderful pix and plants... and alphabetically too... there's the teacher showing.... ! Great work !
Thanks a lot !
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Great show Paddy !
Wonderful pix and plants... and alphabetically too... there's the teacher showing.... ! Great work !
Thanks a lot !
I can only repeat this !
Gerd
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Many thanks for your comments, Luc and Gerd.
Some sightseeing in Interlaken and on Brientzerzee.
Paddy
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Continuing on Brientzerzee
Paddy
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Many congratulations Paddy,
Wonderful images of a truly splendid region.
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That intense blue is called "blue sky with sunshine." We had some once, too.
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Great photos, Paddy and Tony!
The waterfall is the "Giessbacher Waterfall"
We've seen it on our bike-tour around the lake, but photos
can't show its beauty - you have to see it with your own eyes!
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That intense blue is called "blue sky with sunshine." We had some once, too.
You're lucky, I can't remember it. :-[
Super pix, Paddy, glad you had a good time
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Welcome Tony it's great to see this thread won't lie down
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Well done Paddy,Are they still looking for the Teddy Bears at Schynige Platte,Tony L
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Lesley,
I must seek out some photograph of the river running throught the valley, through Lauterbrunnen, as it was the oddest colour, a white blue might be as close as I could describe it.
Thomas,
We didn't go to see this waterfall only the one at Lauterbrunnen - much more accessible and with a pathway which brought you behind the water. All very beautiful.
Tony,
Teddy bears? Never saw any?
Dreadful weather induces a condition I would like to share with all my friends on this forum - so here are a few photographs from the other side of the Lauterbrunnen valley. We went by train from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, a cablecar ride connected with the train onto Murren and then two cablecar rides brought us to the Schilthorn, location famously used in the James Bond film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". There had been a foot of fresh snow overnight but, amazingly for me at any rate, it was perfectly comfortable to go outside in shorts, shirt and sandals. After returning to Murren we walked back down to Lauterbrunnen. This was through a mixture of woodland and pastureland. It was a long but very pleasant walk and, most importantly, all downhill.
Scenery first, flowers to follow.
The second last photograph shows the area described earlier by Tony. Mannliched in situated at the left of the mountain ridge running along left from the Eiger. Kleine Scheiddegg is just left of the base of the Eiger; Eigergletchen is right up at the base of the Eiger and the Eiger walk runs away from my position along the base of the Eiger to the far side of that mountain ridge. OK Geog lesson over, sorry!
Paddy
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Fantastic pictures Paddy. I'm not a mountain person really as I can not cope with heights but I must go to Switzerland.
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The evening has brightened up here in Waterford, the first dry moments of the day, and I am going to rush out for a walk with son and dog.
David,
This posting was stuck half way, so to speak, as I pressed "post" and left and now have returned an hour later to find it had stopped to warn me of your posting in the meantime. You would enjoy Switzerland very much and need have no need of a fear of heights. It was only very rarely that we were in a position where we were looking down a steep drop. The pathways are very safe, well marked and easy to navigate. It is certainly not a case of climbing in the mountains, though that option is immediately available if desired. We stuck to the trails and enjoyed them very much.
Here are plants encountered on walk from Murren to Lauterbrunnen.
No names as I haven't labelled these photographs yet but here is nothing unusual here so you will have seen them and their names before. They are posted as encountered on our walk down so this may give you some feeling of the context of the planting.
Paddy
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A few further flowers. I loved this clump of campanula. It was growing in the retaining wall of the railway line, constructed of limestone blocks. The sun was shining down on it and caught the flowers very nicely.
Paddy
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It was a long walk, so lots of flowers. Paddy
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It was a long walk...
Paddy
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Relief is in sight - just at the bottom of the hill. Do remember that we had to go up the other side of the valley to get back to Wengen but thank goodness for the Swiss rail system. As Cliff had said many times last year, it was truly excellent.
Paddy
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Lesley,
Here is a photograph of the river flowing through Lauterbrunnen. Hopefully you can see the peculiar very white-blue I mentioned earlier.
Paddy
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The more pix you post, the more you make me drool Paddy... ;D
Wonderful shots !
Thanks again