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| [Hybiscus seriacus] The name of this widely cultivated ornamental shrub implies that it has originated from Syria but it’s actually native to East Asia. South Koreans call it “immortal flower” and even consider it their national flower. No matter whether it’s from Syria or East Asia, it beautifies our garden every year and provides opportunities for photography. Holargos: 2006, photo © Tony Taglides |
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Hibiscus syriacus
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Snail
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BBB0978 [snail]
“Still too dry outside. I’d better wait for the rain to come.” Mt. Falakro: 12/07/2009, photo © Tony Taglides |
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Cervus elaphus
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BBB2052 [Cervus
elaphus]
In spite of the forest fires on Mt. Parnitha a few years ago there are
still more than 500 deer living on the mountain. They seem to have developed a
friendly attitude toward human beings, especially if you have a tomato or an
apple to offer them. If the apple looks big enough, they are willing to pose
for you to take their portrait!
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BBB2065 [Cervus
elaphus]
Papa deer, with his characteristic deciduous
antlers whose shape and length indicate his age. Whatever his age though, he’d
rather lose the apple than come too close. After all, how can a deer with such
beautiful ornaments on his head succumb to a temptation?
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BBB2059 [Cervus elaphus]
Females are
smaller than males and contrary to lonely males they graze in small herds.
Young deer naturally follow their mothers and bear white spots that gradually
disappear as the animal gets older.
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
Paddling on gold
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| DSCN0909 [Paddling on gold] Halkidiki, one of my favorite vacation spots, with its beautiful beaches and romantic sunsets, has often been my photographic paradise. [Uploaded on request by and dedicated to my friend R. who seems to like the picture very much!] Halkidiki: 08/07/2006, photo © Tony Taglides |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Observatory of Athens
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BBB8336 [The observatory of Athens]
Athens: 27/08/2010, photo © Tony Taglides
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Osyris alba
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| BBB8620 Osyris alba This small broomlike shrub - far from being attractive in its post flowering season - was used by the ancient Greeks in soap-making. Mt. Hymittos: 07/09/2010, photo © Tony Taglides |
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| DSCN_3855 [Osyris alba] A close look at the shrub’s fruit which varies from 5 to 7 mm in length. Mt. Hymittos: 08/10/2008, photo © Tony Taglides |
Monday, September 20, 2010
Datura innoxia
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| BBB8514 [Datura innoxia] Huge (11-20cm long), white, beautiful flowers that are deceptively innocent-looking. All parts of the plant contain high levels of poison, albeit considerably less than its “deadly cousin” Datura stramonium. Holargos: 05/09/2010, photo © Tony Taglides |
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Epilobium dodonaei
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| AAA3054 [Epilobium dodonaei] One of the fifteen species of Epilobium found in Greece. A beautiful flower with four petals and eight stamens. Mt. Oiti: 26/07/2008, photo © Tony Taglides |
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| BBB8219 [Epilobium dodonaei] In this photo nature seems to have made a mistake and produced an Epilobium with five petals. Yet, it’s still beautiful. Mt. Parnassos: 18/08/2010, Photo © Tony Taglides |
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ophrys speculum
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| DSC_7234 [Ophrys speculum] Extra terrestrial creature or Asterix’ s cousin? Actually it’s a flower. It has a total length of less than 2 cm and is one of the most distinctive ophrys flowering in Greece. Its name “speculum” (= “Mirror” in Latin), describes the bluish, shiny part of the flower’s lip. More pictures of Ophrys are to be posted when Ophrys start to appear on the ground. This one is posted out of turn and dedicated to my German friend F.E. as compensation for his patiently waiting for pictures of orchids. “Courage, dear F., time flies, so pictures of orchids are on the way!” Evia: 28/03/2009, photo © Tony Taglides |
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Lion
A friend's cat called "Lion"
"Lion" wearing her ... blue contact lenses!
Nea Makri: 24/04/2005, photos © Tony Taglides
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Cyclamen graecum
Early cyclamen quite often spring up in isolation, as if they were sent off to scout the area for appropriate weather conditions before other cyclamen are allowed to appear!
Mt. Hymittos: 06/09/2010
DSCN3807 [Cyclamen graecum]
Mt. Pentelikon: 10/10/2009
Their heart-shaped leaves appear after the flowers have bloomed.
Mt. Hymittos: 05/01/2009, photos © Tony Taglides
Monday, September 6, 2010
Colchicum sfikasianum
BBB8557 [Colchicum sfikasianum]
Perhaps my most favorite flower. The reason? It’s simple. It blooms in early Fall and signifies the beginning of the new flower-shooting season for us wild flower shooters!
Mt. Hymittos 06/09/2010, photos © Tony Taglides
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Acropolis of Athens
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| BBB8325 [The Acropolis of Athens] Sitting on Pnyx in the evening and looking at The Acropolis across is perhaps all you need to set out on an endless, insightful, journey into History. Athens: 27/08/2010, Photo © Tony Taglides |
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Psiritsa
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| BBB0208 [Psiritsa] A relative's cat called "Psiritsa" Alepohori: 05/06/2009, © photo Tony Taglides |
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Nycticorax nycticorax
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BBB7712 [Nycticorax nycticorax]
"Gosh! Aren’t I beautiful!"[Any resemblance with Narcissus watching his own reflections in a pool of water is only ... coincidental!] Kerkini: 6/6/2010, photo © Tony Taglides |