Motacilla flava feldegg

304_5278 [Motacilla flava feldegg]

 

This is an elegant, colorful and highly distinctive small bird

widespread in South East Europe.

In Winter they emigrate to tropical Africa.

 

They feed on insects, spiders, worms and the like.

So, they prefer finding their food in damp fields

and in pastures with grazing livestock.

They apparently know that livestock will dislodge insects

from the ground making them more vulnerable to the birds.

 

Length: 17-18 cm

Lifespan: up to 5 years

 

Photographed near the Oropos wetland in Attica.

 

 

Motacilla alba

303_1052 [Motacilla alba]

 

A common European bird that emigrates to southern, warmer, areas in Winter.

 

It is often seen feeding in and around towns

where it nests in recesses, hollows, cracks in walls or in damaged roof bricks.

 

It feeds on insects that it catches on the ground or on roofs

and likes to be near lakes, rivers, reservoirs and canals.

 

When it runs or stands, it constantly moves its tail.

 

It is about 18 cm long and lives up to 5 years.

 

And between you and me … it is one of my favorite birds!!!

 

 

Ophrys basilissa

801_2742 [Ophrys basilissa]

 

A rare Ophrys that was initially considered native to Crete

but was also found on many Aegean islands.

The above picture, however, was taken near the Marathon Lake in Attica.

 

It flowers from late January to early April

on sunny, dry grounds at heights up to 500 m.

 

The name “basilissa” (a Greek word for “queen”)

refers to the large lip of the flower (= almost 3 cm long).

Remember the English expressions ‘king size’ and ‘queen size’? 

 

 

Fritillaria graeca

302_4182 [Fritillaria graeca]

 

This beautiful flower is a perennial plant native to Greece

and more specifically to Central Greece, Attica, Peloponnese, and Evia.

 

It grows on stony grounds on heights of up to 2000 m

and can become about 25 cm tall.

 

Its bell-shaped flowers appear from early Spring to May

and face towards the ground.

 

The picture above was taken on Mt. Himittos.

Fritillaria obliqua

301_7299 [Fritillaria obliqua]

Photographed in Evoia

 

 

301_6635 [Fritillaria obliqua]

 Photographed in Attica

 

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Fritillaria obliqua is a rare wild flower endemic to Attica and Evoia

where it grows in very small populations.

 

Unfortunately, for various reasons it is threatened with extinction.

This is the reason why it is included

in the “Red Book of the Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece”

and is protected by Law.

 

It blooms from early February to early April

at altitudes from sea level to 1000 m.

mostly on rocky grounds with sparse bushy vegetation.

 

 

Ferula communis

IMG_0935 [Ferula communis]

 

Ferula communis is a perennial plant

that grows on stony slopes and uncultivated areas

on altitudes of up to 600 m and blooms from March to June.

 It can grow more than 4 meters in height.

 

Its stem, that sometimes can be wider than 10 cm at its base,

is hollow and filled with a soft white substance

which – when it is set on fire – burns very slowly without a flame.

 

According to the Greek Mythology,

Prometheus took advantage of this property of the plant

to hide the fire when he stole it from Zeus

and brought it to the mortals.

 

IMG_0938 [Ferula communis]

The upper part of the plant above.

It was captured from a shorter distance

for details to be seen more clearly.

 

Photographed on Mt. Himittos

 

 

IMG_1109 [Ferula communis]

mature plants near Sounio

 

 

303_1858 [Ferula communis]

 

Focus on the flowers, also from Sounio

 

 

Romulea linaresii subsp. graeca

801_8696 [Romulea linaresii subsp. graeca]

A small, perennial plant (usually 6-7 cm tall)

with violet flowers of about 3 cm in diameter.

 

It is a plant of the Balkans with wide distribution in Greece.

 It is found in low grasslands and stony locations

of mainland Greece

from February to April in heights of up to 1200 m.

 

Photographed on Mt. Himittos

 

 

Iris attica

DSCN3689 [Iris attica]

 

Iris attica is a short plant (5-15cm)

found in mainland Greece and in the Aegean islands.

 

It blooms from February to May

and produces violet-purple, yellow or bi-colored flowers.

 

Favorable habitat: stone locations

in the mountain zone (400-2100m).

 

Photographed on Mt. Himittos in February.

 

For more pictures and a short video of Iris attica please click HERE and scroll down.