nitrogen15

Also known as climbing nightshade. The flowers are very pretty, but avoid the poisonous berries.

It's hard to beat wild mushrooms. They're delicious!

I'm pretty sure this is from the Dreisam, although my photos got disorganized.

I had this appear in my yard! I kept it as an ornamental plant because I like the bamboo-style growth. Also, mine get attractive pink flower clusters.

Thanks, Isabela. Carduus defloratus does seem the most likely. I can just barely make out the leaves well enough to compare.

Thanks! After checking wikipedia I'm thinking it might also be the close relative Helix pomatia, because it's at a high elevation in the alps. Unfortunately my photo doesn't show features I could use to accurately ID, though.

LOL. I didn't get a chance to try it while I was there, but also heard it's quite good.

Cute series!

Thanks for the ID.

Definitely a double-crested cormorant breeding colony. And the white birds are American white pelicans.