Alpine walks

     Not far from Zermatt's crowded pistes are quiet forest walks which we explored in both full sunshine and falling snow - far more my cup of tea than following the hordes down the slopes. If you click on the pictures to enlarge them you'll see animal tracks in the one above: this is marmot country as well as home to deer and goats, but not, as far as I am aware, gorillas - for which have a look here!.

     These lichen-encrusted slates roof many of the mountain huts.    

The birds were tame enough to feed from our hands and are a good method of forecasting heavy snowfalls, we were told,

as up to two days before snow comes they will start eating far more than usual.

Come to think of it, we did the same but without the excuse of bad weather cutting off supplies!

Comments

[Lisa W]

It looks as if someone has quilted the snow. Nice photos!

[Rebecca]

I love the picture of the roof, perfect.

[Wildlife Gardener]

Great pics of the lichens, the tracks and the lovely little coal tit feeding from the hand...just charming :)

Would you like to come along and watch l a little video on frogs?

[Terri]

Lovely photos! I spent several days in Zermatt many years ago and loved it. Took the gondola up and walked down - but we were all alone! It was one of the most memorable hikes of my life.