Curious young cow with bell in the Swiss Alps | Travel photography

by Laura Dijkslag

There is a very funny story attached to this photo. Having missed the lift to the foot of the mountain during my trip in Switzerland, I had to descend on foot. That makes you feel a bit down but halfway down I came across a herd of beautiful grey-brown Alpine cows. They were incredibly sweet and curious and had those beautiful big eyes. They were quite happy to be photographed and this young cow stood in front of them.

In the Swiss Alps, cows play an important role in both daily life and local traditions. In summer, the animals migrate to the alpine pastures, where they graze on herb-rich grass, which gives their milk a special flavour. This milk forms the basis for well-known Swiss cheeses such as Gruyère and Emmentaler. At the end of summer, the cows return to the valleys during the festive Alpabzug, where they are decorated with flowers and traditional cow bells. A special breed in this region is the Hérens, best known in the canton of Valais. Beyond their economic value, the grazing cattle add a rustic charm to the landscape, a favourite sight with tourists, who enjoy the serene sight of herds in the mountains and the sound of cow bells.

I chose calm dark colours for this photo. This suits this picture and any interior. This work would also look great as photo wallpaper in the hall, bedroom, living room or on the toilet.