Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever found out in nature?

Hosted by: Susan Misicka

When we go into the great outdoors for some recreation, we usually have an idea of what we expect or hope to see. But sometimes there are surprises – both good and bad. What’s the most unusual or surprising thing you’ve ever found on a hike or other activity?

A man looking for minerals in the Swiss Alps found crystals as well as the artefacts used by hunter-gatherers 10,000 years ago. Local archaeologists were grateful for the tip-off. You can read more about that here.

From the article In pursuit of the crystal hunters

From the article What you need to know about hiking in Switzerland



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Daniel protetor de nascentes polivalente
Daniel protetor de nascentes polivalente
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

I found 11 Variety of terrestrial biomes in the Serrado, which, I give the meaning, pasture degraded by erosion, this vision helps me to take the course on Recovery of Springs, which involves the Recovery of Degraded Areas, today I go to a place where I see that there is an eye, D'água, to do the Recovery.

Encontrei 11 Variedade de biomas terrestres no Serrado, os quais, me dera o significado, pastagem degradada pela erosão, está visão me auxílio para fazer o Curso de Recuperação de Nascentes, o qual envolver a Recuperação de Áreas Degradadas hoje eu vou até um local onde vejo que tem olho, D'água, para fazer a Recuperação.

موقع صيته الرسمي Setah503
موقع صيته الرسمي Setah503
The following contribution has been automatically translated from AR.

I found a piece of gold with a very large rust on it! Something really changed my saying that gold never rusts.

وجدتُ قطعة ذهب عليها صدأ كبير جداً! شيء فعلاً غيّر لديّ مقولة أن الذهب لا يصدأ أبداً.

Susan Misicka
Susan Misicka
@موقع صيته الرسمي Setah503

How remarkable! I once found CHF20 on a mountain, stuck in the branches of a shrub. They say money doesn't grow on trees, but maybe this was an exception.

VeraGottlieb
VeraGottlieb

Not exactly unusual but informative while living in Canada. When going on hikes, to learn to recognize if a bear's poop is fresh or not. If fresh...turn around and leave quickly. If not fresh proceed your walk but with caution and ears always open. From a bear's poop you can see exactly what the bear has eaten...mostly fruits.

Susan Misicka
Susan Misicka
@VeraGottlieb

Thanks for the advice -- now I'm wondering whether this part of our website should allow photo uploads! I suppose any reader expecting to enter bear territory can consult the web.

VeraGottlieb
VeraGottlieb
@Susan Misicka

No pictures... leave well alone.

Reid
Reid

The most unusual creature I came across was during a family holiday to Austria in my teenage years many years ago. We were staying near the border with Germany when my brother and I were cycling where we were about to then walk to a high perched castle accessible through a forest. I felt something wet brush against my leg to my shock there was a mutant sized slug its body was the size of a ball and its neck was the thickness of a child’s arm. To this day I do not know what species this creature was; unfortunately my brother and I did not have our cameras. We did eventually make our way to the castle. Does anyone know what this creature was?

Susan Misicka
Susan Misicka
@Reid

How extraordinary! Let's see if there are any slug experts in our community...

Pendak Carrer
Pendak Carrer

Not unusual but remarkable to note that virtually all of the biggest beings in nature do not eat meat: Antarctic blue whales, elephants, giraffes, down to cows … No carnivore reaches their size — BUT that should lead to the „argumentum ad absurdum“ that humans in order to grow should stop eating meat!

Susan Misicka
Susan Misicka
@Pendak Carrer

Interesting point. Have you seen our conversation about eating habits? You might want to weigh in there as well. [url]https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/how-have-your-eating-habits-changed-/47580392[/url]

But while you're here, can you tell us about any remarkable wildlife sightings you've experienced?

drifter1
drifter1

It's not what I found - but the excitement of what I might find during many an alpine hike. I particularly remember walking across the Schnidejoch pass with my family shortly after the announcement of prehistoric findings there - leggings, bow and arrow etc. We couldn't help kicking aside rocks and digging with our hands under the snow to see if we'd also come across signs of humans making their way across this ancient and previously unknown north-south trading route. We found nothing but definitely felt their spirits. Thanks for the excellent article!

Susan Misicka
Susan Misicka
@drifter1

Great story, especially how you could feel their spirits! I also loved imagining the lives of the hunter-gatherers who shaped those crystals.

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