Photos from Above
Flying on a paraglider lets you go places with some unique perspectives - sometimes not even accessible to airplanes. As
“pedestrians of the sky” we also have the freedom to (responsibly) take a moment to relax and take some photos. And
that’s what I’ve increasingly been doing, as I’ve grown more comfortable with my flying and my equipment. Especially my
EN-A glider is so comfortable that it’s hard to resist taking it all in!
I usually don’t even use my not-so-heavy Sony Alpha 6500 in the air, as it’s still a bit clunky. Instead, the RX100 Mark
3 - probably a decade old at this point - is just the right shape to use with one hand and slip back into a side pocket.
If you enjoy paragliding photography, check out skysee.ch, my dedicated app for sharing photos and
videos from take-offs, landings, and of course high up in the air. If you’re a pilot flying in Switzerland, why not sign
up? It’s free!
Lutersee in central Engelberg valley. A slightly shredded cloud thanks to strong north-westerly winds.
Musenalp, also in the lower Engelberg valley, and its cable car's final section
Test-flying a Niviuk Hiko P - I didn't enjoy it as much as some other models, but still had great fun. Cloud ahead, glider above, it doesn't get better than that.
It actually does get better: hanging out in the sky above Zurich after work!
The hotel, tower, and antenna on top of Uetliberg above Zurich.
Some pilots like doing a little show for the audience on Uetliberg...
Especially fun doing it with some other folks. As long as nobody's flying into the antenna, of course.
Unfortunately, paragliding has a dark side as well - a Rega helicopter rescuing a severely injured student pilot at Sternen take-off, Hoch Ybrig.
Back to the landscapes: Wägitalersee in front, Sihlsee in the center-left, and Lake Zurich going all the way to Zurich in the background.
Diethelm, part of the Fluebrig massif. I've never hiked up to its peak - but why do that, if you can just fly up effortlessly :)
Lake Lucerne with the Seelisberg peninsula and the tiny Seeli on the left.
Fronalpstock above Lake Uri, behind it Rophaien and the Reuss valley.
Not such a unique perspective - you'd see the same from Rigi Hoflue - but a nice last view before landing
The spider-web-like threads you see are used by young spiders who (just like us paragliders) use wind to travel, and sometimes they get unlucky and stick to our lines.
Please note that my photos are licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0, unless otherwise
noted. If you would like to use them somewhere, you are allowed to do so, as
long as you note my name and where you have this photo from. If you modify a
photo, the result needs to be available under the same terms.
