Gagea peduncularis

HO3938 [Gagea peduncularis]

 

A brave little flower that dared to bloom

almost before the snow of the recent, heavy, snowfall had melted away.

 

Photographed with my mobile at the foot of Mt. Hymittos on February 24, 2021

 

 

Mantis religiosa

803_7883 mantis religiosa]

 

This insect is the most well-known of many similar mantids. It can be found in Central and Southern Europe. Adults reach 6-7 cm in length.

 

For those who are not familiar with it, it is worth to note that it is a fearsome predator. It remains motionless and waits for other insects to come close enough. Then, in a split-second it seizes them with its powerful, spiny forelegs and enjoys its meal!

 

Although I have seen a mantis a number of times, I confess that this time I spent more time in looking carefully at the anatomy of its body rather than in taking the picture. The widely spaced eyes on its triangular head seem to provide it with a wider field of view and allow it to strike with deadly accuracy, while the spines on the forelegs make it almost impossible for the prey to escape.

 

 

Narcissus papyraceus

301_5070 [narcissus papyraceus]

 

This eye-catching flower is wildly cultivated for its beauty and strong fragrance

but it is also found in the wild as is the case with the picture above.

 

 Photographed in Anthusa on January 12, 2016 

 

Crocus nivalis

801_1739 [Crocus nivalis]

Photographed in Anthusa on January 08, 2014

 

 

 

IMG_0050 [Crocus nivalis]

Photographed in Anthusa on January 05, 2011