Fog like this occurs quite often at Lake Sils (Silsersee) in the Engadin region of the Swiss Canton of Graubünden. It is a remarkable phenomenon that even has its own name: The Maloja Snake. It is a dense snake-like cloud of fog that slowly engulfs the area around Lake Sils in the mornings and evenings. The Maloja Snake is created by the differences in climate between the Chiavenna Valley in Italy and the much higher Engadin Valley in Switzerland. These valleys are connected via the Maloja pass road. Hence the name “Maloja Snake”.
This lake landscape photograph is a bit of a minimalist take on this lakeside scene. A longer exposure time smoothened the water of the lake as well as the Maloja Snake fog and the clouds. The photograph is a bit different as a result. It was a day with very moody weather and lots of clouds. The sun managed to peek through though and created some extraordinary light around the lake. The fog bank creates an exciting contrast between Lake Sils, the forest and Piz de la Margna mountain in the back.
This photograph of fog at Lake Sils is part of our Fog & Mist photography theme. You will find more misty landscape photographs there. For more photographs of lakes, please visit our Lakes landscape photography theme. Alternatively, visit our Swiss Landscape Photography portfolio to see more photos taken in Switzerland.
Mike Luther –
Delicate light 🙂