Nature's Work

Hiking across the Swiss Via Alpina we came across a traditional Schwingen and Alplerfest in the stunning Engstlenalp. Usually a very quiet, rural and remote settlement it came to life with wresting, alpenhorns, a children's choir and accordian music. The Swiss brown cows were dressed in garlands (on a previous day) which is a tradition when they are brought back down from their alpine meadows to lower pastures towards the end of summer. #alplerfest #swisstraditions #alpinelife #alpenhorn #switzerland #alps

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1 day ago | [YT] | 1

Nature's Work

The Swiss alpine tradition of decorating cows with flower garlands and large ceremonial bells is known as the Alpabzug (or Désalpe in French-speaking regions. Their return home from the high alpine pastures begins in mid August.
The Swiss brown cow is a dairy breed found across the alpine region.
#desalpe
#Alpabzug
#swissalps
#alpinelife
#alpineflowers

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6 days ago | [YT] | 2

Nature's Work

Flower of the month:
Round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) is a beautiful and unusual plant found in the wettest of Britain's bogs and wet heaths. These tiny plants flower from late June until August and can be found in and amongst sphagnum mosses. Its white flowers form on long red stems.
Its yellow-green leaves are covered in sticky red 'hairs’ and arranged at the base of the plant in a rosette. These hairs (tendrils) hide a deadly secret. The glistening, dew-like droplets are are designed to attract passing insects. very sticky. Once the tendrils detect the presence of prey, it curls them inwards, trapping the insect. Eventually, the whole leaf wraps around the prey; the enclosed insect is digested and the nutrients absorbed by the plant.
This carnivorous way of life is an adaptation to its nutrient-poor habitat. In bogs the nutrients required by plants to grow are locked away in a soil known as peat. Almost no nutrient recycling occurs in the water logged environment so plants have come up with some innovative means of gaining nutrients such as the sundew.
The natural range of this plant spans the northern hemisphere and is found in temperate and sub arctic environments from Alaska to the Philippines.

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4 weeks ago | [YT] | 2

Nature's Work

The mountains around Sellrain in the Austrian Tirol are incredible. They are sheer with narrow ridges, steep valleys exposed summits and above all fantastic alpine flowers! I’m planning a hut-to-hut tour in 2027 for the @austrian.alpine.club.uk to explore these wonderful mountains. It’s an idea I’ve had to stare my passion for alpine flowers and nature with getting into the high mountains. It won’t be an easy trip! The paths can be narrow and steep in places but the sure-footed can enjoy alpine summits along the way.
This range will form the first part of the planned trek. I also want to demonstrate the contrast with the limestone (calcium-rich) with a trip to the Nordkette alps just a stone’s-throw away on the northern side of Innsbruck.
It would also be an ideal experience for @baimlthemountainleader aspirants
#alpineadventures #alpineflowers #baiml #internationalmountainleader

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1 month ago | [YT] | 5

Nature's Work

I ventured up into Ysgolion duon above Afon Llafar in the Carneddau to see if the very rare Alpine Saw-wort was in flower. I managed to find a couple that were but it was too early for a full bloom. Lots of Lesser Meadow-rue flowering too #snowdonia

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1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Nature's Work

Flower of the month:
Starry saxifrage (Micranthes stellaris) is a delightfully vibrant and colourful plant seen in the uplands of Britain. It's most commonly seen in damp flushes and wet mountain ledges, in full sunshine.

Its white flowers, with their spear-shaped petals, resemble little stars and have 2 yellow or orange dots near ther base. Their charm is increased by the colourful spots at the base of the petals and the red-tipped, male anthers. Its fleshy leaves form loose rosettes with toothed edges.

An old name for Starry saxifrage is Hairy kidneywort for the belief that it has the ability to break up stones, such as those that develop in the kidgey or gall bladder. This was due to them living amongst broken / fractured rocks in their natural alpine habitat

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1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Nature's Work

June is a brilliant month for orchids, lillies and helleborines and this year I've notched up a few sightings whilst out working in the Swiss Alps. #wildflowers #orchids #wildflowerhour #naturelovers #naturephotography @hardyorchidsociety @europeanwildorchids

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2 months ago | [YT] | 6

Nature's Work

It is not often I get such a message where the experience opened the door to such an incredible opportunity.

Working with people, young and old, in the outdoors facilitating their adventure or learning is a truly rewarding way to live for me. I know through these experiences in nature and the mountains that people get to grow, focus and reflect.

The outdoors is such a valuable space for personal growth and offers an endless horizon unparalleled by anywhere else.

I meet people for moments in their lives, Many people I sadly will never meet again but those moments are precious and I know that deep inside me the connections made can be profound and, like for Max, they opened up a world of opportunities.

Perhaps this reflection has come about by no coincidence on the summer solstice where the world experiences one extreme part of it's annual journey around the sun ☀️

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2 months ago | [YT] | 5

Nature's Work

🌼 Super psyched group indulging their passion for alpine flowers and ecology in the Solalex valley in the Swiss Alps. Stunning weather and floral displays, great chat and banter. Max learning and discovery 💥

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2 months ago | [YT] | 3

Nature's Work

A full-on week guiding a lovely group on some excellent hikes across north Wales. I'd met half of them before in the Alps and they were keen to experience what Wales had to offer. With evening spent in fine restaurants their time spent exploring during the day were equalled by a culinary journey where we shared the many memorable moments.

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2 months ago | [YT] | 6