Category: Fauna Vogelmoos
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On a warm and humid day
We are experiencing a summer break after so many days of rain. We are not yet up for a long stretch of dry and sunny weather. Rain is forcast for tomorrow. Two days were enough to hear the call for hiking and outdoor photography. Nature loves this weather and responds with tremendous growth of the…
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A Difficult Summer
I have been waiting for weather that invites you to spend much time outside, wearing hiking boots, and carrying a backpack with all the things necessary for a full day adventure. Unfortunately, that has not been the case since our return from vacation in mid-June. Hence, I decided to find signs of summer in a…
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Vogelmoos Nature Reserve: Lush Green Vegetation and Wildlife Return After Heavy Rain
Having been out of the country for almost 3 months, I was excited to return to the Nature Reserve to see the changes that had occurred. I left Switzerland amid threats of winter weather including snow flurries down to the plains and icy temperatures. Weeks later, a period of hefty rain followed, causing floods in…
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Fauna & Flora in Early Spring
There is no question any longer: Spring prevails albeit winter temperatures still pose a threat to hiking. Trekking is not yet possible – there is too much snow in the Alps. Visiting my “photographic homeland” just a few days ago, I mired the sprouting of plants and return of animals forecasting the expansion of all…
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Temperature Stress
The year started with moderate temperatures. Nature seemed to awaken from hibernation. But in mid-January icy temperatures and snow arrived in the Alps much to the enjoyment of skiers. The forests were hit with freezing temperatures challenging their resilience. Nature uses brief periods of temperature moderation to return to life and the next challenge that…
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Nature at Rest
All through the middle of December 2023 there was color in the landscape albeit mostly brown tones, in the forests and the plants along the waterlines of the ponds. The temperatures were moderate and although the days were short, the sun was shining on many of them. With the turn of the year cold weather…
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Quiet Days before Winter
Since my last blog, on November 4, 2023 the temperature has further cooled, days shortend to just about 9 hours and the snowline fallen to 1200 – 1500 m (3600 – 4500 feet). Only a few weeks ago, my time with the camera in the woods depended on my other schedules. We had such a…
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Late Fall
The low pressure system over the Atlantic, the United KIngdom, Ireland, the Channel and the coast of mainland Europe delivered strong winds and heavy rain. Flooding is reported fom northern Italy – quite severe in Tuscany. Meanwhile the Swiss alps received snow, some areas, like the Engadin several feet high. The mountain tops surrounding Lucerne…
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The forest – a community of plants and animals
The forest is not just an assembly of trees: It is a comunity of trees, shrubs, plants and all kinds of animals that need its shelter and support to thrive. This may not be news to anyone but for sure, it influenced my thinking of the forest when I called this fact into my mind.…
Vogelmoos Nature Reserve 