1800 alpine sheeps

reformiert.

On an alp in the Bernese Oberland grazes one of the largest flocks of sheep in Switzerland. They spend the summer months guarded by a shepherd with five border collies and two large, white Maremma sheepdogs from Abruzzo.

Before the first snow, the 1’800 sheep head down to the valley, traveling a distance of 23 km. I am in the middle of the immense herd and have to watch out constantly that the jostling wooly ruminants, capable of sentience and emotions, do not suddenly follow me and deviate from their planned course.

The route leads over stony mountain landscapes, passing dense fir forests as well as little villages, before reaching their destination, where the sheep will be distributed to different sheds during the winter.

My photographs relate only to the sheep and are intended as an homage to an animal that has accompanied man for a very very long time.

©Ephraim Bieri - 2025 – Site and work depicted are copyright. All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce, copy or use any parts of this website without written permission from the author. Other people involved are mentioned with the specific project.