Colchicum bivonae

804_1493 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

Colchicum bivonae is an Autumn flowering plant

that blooms from early September to mid-November

in mountainous regions (300-1300m) of Italy, the Balkans ang Greece

with the exceptions of Crete and the Cyclades islands.

 

Beautiful but also highly poisonous

due to colchicine existing in all parts of the plant:

the leaves, the flower and especially in the bulb. 

 

 

IMG_4370 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

801_7542 [Colchicum bivonae]

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha on Sept. 7, 2024

 

For a 2-min slideshow of Colchicum bivonae please click HERE.

 

 

Pancratium maritimum

IMG_0002 [Pancratium maritimum]

Pancratium maritimum,

commonly known as the Sand Lily or Sand Daffodil,

thrives in coastal sands and is seen in full bloom

from August to October.

 

 For more info, pictures and video please see older posts HERE.

 

 

Cicada orni

804_1443 [Cicada orni]

This fascinating insect with its unique, erotic call to female cicadas

sometimes spends the night on the awnings of my balcony in summer

and grants me an opportunity to take a picture of it. This also happened a few weeks ago.

 

It is very common in central Europe and all the Mediterranean countries

where an expert can spot about 60 different species.

In Greece, there are approximately 33 species.

 

I was curious to learn some more things about this insect,

so I asked GPT for some basic facts about it.

Here is the answer I got; in case you are interested.

 

“Cicadas are fascinating insects with several unique characteristics. Here are some interesting facts:

 

1. Long Life Cycle: Some cicadas have incredibly long-life cycles, particularly the periodical cicadas of North America, which emerge after 13 or 17 years. These species spend most of their lives underground as nymphs before emerging en masse to mate.

 

2. Loudest Insects: Male cicadas are among the loudest insects in the world. Their mating calls can reach up to 120 decibels, which is as loud as a chainsaw or a rock concert.

 

3. Vibrating Membranes: The loud sound is produced by specialized structures called tymbals located on the sides of the abdomen. By rapidly contracting and relaxing muscles attached to these membranes, cicadas create their characteristic buzzing sound.

 

4. Temperature-Dependent Activity: Cicadas are more active and produce sound more vigorously when the temperature is warmer. This is why their songs are most commonly heard during hot summer days. 

 

5. Short Adult Life: Despite their long developmental periods, adult cicadas only live for a few weeks, during which they focus on mating and laying eggs.

 

6. Unique Defense Mechanism: Cicadas rely on a form of predator satiation to survive. By emerging in large numbers simultaneously, they overwhelm predators, ensuring that enough of them survive to reproduce.

 

7. Global Distribution: Cicadas are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 3,000 species worldwide, with diverse appearances and behaviors.

 

8. Diet: Cicadas primarily feed on the sap of trees and plants. As nymphs, they suck fluids from the roots of plants, while adults often target twigs and small branches.

 

9. Molting Process: Before becoming adults, cicada nymphs undergo a final molt where they shed their exoskeleton. This process often leaves behind the characteristic empty shells clinging to tree trunks and branches.

 

10. Cultural Significance: Cicadas hold symbolic meanings in various cultures. In ancient China, they were symbols of rebirth and immortality, while in Japan, they are associated with the fleeting nature of life.” 

 

 

303_4985 [Cicada orni]

 An exoskeleton of a Cicada orni. See GPT #9 above.

 

 

Pavonia hastata

IMG_4264 R [Pavonia hastata]

A shrub that reaches a height of 1.5m.

It is native to some countries of South America

and reportedly there are about 300 variants.

 

I had my first ever encounter with this plant a week ago

in Diomidous Botanical Garden in Athens

where I had the chance to take this photograph.

 

 

Psittacula krameri

300_7157 [Psittacula krameri]

 

A lovable bird that often visits our garden

 

For older posts with additional pictures and some info please click HERE.

 

 

Dactylorhiza succifera

303_8631 [Dactylorhiza succifera]

 

303_8666 [Dactylorhiza saccifera]

 

Α closeup on its dense inflorescence that can reach as many as 150 flowers.

 

 

 

303_8671 [Dactylorhiza saccifera]

 

 

Dactylorhiza succifera is a very common orchid

that thrives in the central and eastern Mediterranean.

A tall and robust plant that reaches 90 cm.

It grows and blooms from June to August near streams with water

or in very wet soils at altitudes of up to 2200 m.

 

In Greece, it grows all over the mainland.

 

Photographed on Mt. Dirfis

 

 

Nasua nasua

_MG_3036 [Nasua nasua]

 

_MG_3038 [Nasua nasua]

 

Nasua nasua are medium-sized mammals

commonly known as South American coatis.

They are pretty similar to raccoons as they belong in the same family.

They live in groups of up to 40 and keep together

even when they look for food on trees or on the ground.

They eat fruit, vegetables, insects, eggs, etc.

 

I have never seen them live, except in the Attica Zoological Park

where they were incessantly playing on the branches of a tree.

 

 

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre

303_4497 [Sacred Heart]

 

Are you already in Paris for the Olympic Games?

If you are, I’m sure your schedule will accommodate a visit

to this exceptionally interesting Basilica. [Google maps: 48.88689, 2.34316]

 

This Roman Catholic Basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

is an architectural marvel and a church of national historical interest.

It is built at the top of a hill, two hundred meters higher than the Seign;

At a point from where visitors (more than 11 million per year)

enjoy a unique, panoramic view of Paris and the suburbs below.

 

Do not forget to climb to the dome. The view is superb!

 

Please click on the picture for a better view. 

Salvia argentea

302_0083 [Salvia argentea]

 

302_0084 [Salvia argentea]

302_0087 [Salvia argentea]

Salvia argentea is a biennial or perennial, herbaceous plant

native to arid hilly and mountainous locations

in southern Europe in altitudes from 500 to 2000 m.

 

Its attractive white flowers appear during almost all spring and summer;

a reason why it is often cultivated in gardens.

 

The pictures were taken on Mt. Parnassos.

 

 

Leontodon tuberosus

IMG_1790 [Leontodon tuberosus]

 

A flower head of Leontodon tuberosus

shot at an early stage of its development.

 

 

303_5104  [Leontodon tuberosus]

 

Two flower heads in full development.

 

Leontodon tuberosus is a perennial plant, common in all Mediterranean countries.

It is found from February to May

in shrubby hills, fallow fields, roadsides, and uncultivated fields

in altitudes 0-1200 m.

It can become 15-30cm tall and grows from tuberous roots

that are reportedly eaten in some areas.

 

Its flower heads stand on characteristically erect, unbranched stems

each of which holds a single flower head.

 

Photographed at the foot of Mt. Hymittos

A dragonfly

302_8427 [A dragonfly[

 

A dragonfly charging her batteries!

 

Her genus and species are not recognizable from the picture

due to the angle of shooting. Sorry.

 

By the way, did you know...

• that more than 3,000 different species live on every continent of the world except Antarctica?
• that dragonflies are the fastest flying insects, reaching a speed of 50–60 kph? 
• that they can fly forward, backwards, sideways, they can hover or change direction very quickly? 
• that their strikingly big eye actually consists of up to 5000 tiny cooperating eyes that allow her to see in front, below, and behind, all at the same time? 
• that they have been around for 300 million years? 
• that they eat other bugs, such as mosquitoes, midges, and spiders and they do not harm people? 

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos

 

Disclaimer.

If you’ve thought for a moment that I might be an expert on dragonflies,

please think again. I’m not!

I only came across this information while I was browsing the booklet:

 “Ask a bug” published by DK.

 

 

Ophrys bombyliflora

303_6685 [Ophrys bombyliflora]

A very common Mediterranean Ophrys with a unique appearance.

It is short (5-15cm) and grows in heights of up to 900m

from February to May.

It prefers meadows, uncultivated fields and open forests

where it forms large populations.

 

This picture was taken on the Greek island of Andros. 

 

 

Vinca major

801_9526 [Vinca major]

 

A common, evergreen plant that likes growing in the shade.

Its glossy leaves always grow in pairs

and the vibrant blue flowers spring from the joint.

 

Photographed at the foot of Mt. Parnitha

 

 

Alcea rosea

801_5567 [Alcea rosea]

 

A biennial plant growing in a range of soils in the wild,

or in gardens where it is deliberately planted

for its impressive, wide flowers (about 15cm).

 

The plant can reach a height of 2.5m

and produce flowers in dark red, pink, white, yellow or orange.

 

The picture was taken on the Greek island of Evoia.

 

 

Serapias lingua

 

IMG_0030 [Serapias lingua]

 

A Serapias lingua: A wild orchid found in southern mainland Greece

from April to May.

 

Habitat: Meadows and scrub land on heights of up to 800m.

 

It was photographed on the island of Kea.

Colias crocea

302_6240 [Colias crocea]

 

Colias crocea: a common, intense-yellow butterfly that flies all over Greece.

It is observed in 2 or 3 generations from February to November

in almost any open habitat from sea level to 2500m.

 

It flies rapidly from flower to flower

and while it feeds, it is always on the alert,

never staying on the same flower for more than 4-5 seconds at a time.

 

While feeding, it always keeps its wings closed.

 

Wingspan: 45-50 mm

 

Photographed in Southern Peloponnese

 

 

Ophrys mycenensis

801_9164 [Ophrys mycenensis]

Ophrys mycenensis is a beautiful wild orchid

endemic to Eastern Central Greece and to the Peloponnese

where it blooms with satisfactory populations from mid-February to early May.

 

Natural habitat: sparse bushy vegetation, low hills, pine forest gaps, brushwood. 

 

The picture was taken in Dilesi.

 

 

Paeonia mascula subsp. hellenica

301_9106 [{aeonia mascula hellenica]

 

One of the four species (peregrina, mascula, clusii and parnasica) growing in Greece.

Mascula grows in woodland clearings and rocky areas on heights of 400-1300m

on Mt. Parnitha, Mt. Taygetos and the islands of Andros and Evoia.

 

Its flowers are predominantly white and occasionally red.

 

The picture above was taken in Evoia.

 

For a flower in red and more hellenica pictures, please see an older post HERE.

 

 

Consolida hispanica

 

IMG_5596 [Consolida hispanica]

 

Consolida hispanica, with its characteristic dark violet flowers, 

is an annual, herbaceous plant found in the Mediterranean

and in many other areas of the world.

 

In Greece, it grows in any part of the country on heights of up to 800m.

It can become up to 1m tall.

It is also cultivated as an ornamental.

 

The picture was taken in Dilesi.

 

 

The Tower of the Winds

 

The Tower of the Winds in Athens:

A fairly detailed and informative presentation in the form of a slide show.

Duration: 11΄. English subtitles.

 

Watching in FULL SCREEN and HD in YouTube is highly recommended. 

 

 

 

Για Ελληνικούς υπότιτλους, παρακαλώ κάντε click στην Ελληνική σημαία.

Θα μεταφερθείτε στο YouTube. 

Σας προτείνουμε να επιλέξετε (αν χρειαστεί) το FULL SCREEN και HD.

 

 

Ευχαριστώ.

 

Himantoglossum robertianum

802_3136 [Himantoglossum robertianum]

 

A closeup shot of the well-known Himantoglossum robertianum.

 

Emphasis on details.

 

It was photographed in Lavrio.

 

 

Ipomoea purpurea

IMG_5891 [Ipomoea purpurea]

 

Ipomoea purpurea is native to Mexico and Central America

but it has been naturalized in a plethora of tropical and subtropical climates

where it is cultivated for its attractive funnel-shaped flowers.

They usually come in blue, purple, pink or white.

 

The plant entwines itself around whatever it finds available and grows to a height of 2–3m.

 

I don’t usually shoot cultivated, ornamental flowers

but I found this one irresistible,

so I pressed the trigger.

 

Photographed in a residential area on Mt. Vardousia

at a height of 1000m.

 

 

Fritillaria graeca

804_1291 [Fritillaria graeca]

 

Fritillaria graeca is a small perennial plant native to the Balkan Peninsula,

specifically in Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Greece.

 

It typically grows in rocky or grassy habitats at elevations between 350 and 2200 meters

and can reach a height of up to 25 centimeters.

 

It blooms in spring and produces attractive bell-shaped flowers;

a fact that sometimes leads to its cultivation in gardens for its ornamental qualities.

 

Not very common but not endangered either.

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos, March 2024

 

 

Lacerta trilineata

303_3414 [Lacerta trilineata]
 

Lacerta trilineata is the biggest species of Lacerta found.

The Balkan green lizard, as it is also called, typically ranges from 20 to 30cm in length,

including its tail which is often twice the length of the body.

In rare cases it may exceed 30cm.

 

It is found in the Southern Balkans (including Greece) and in some Greek Islands

in areas from sea level to high up the mountains

(Even higher than 1500 meters as is the case with Crete).

 

Coming across a lizard is always an impressive encounter.

It is very agile but it often stops, turns into a voluntary photographic model

and establishes eye-to-eye contact with you or with your photographic lens.

An unforgettable experience and often photographically rewarding!

 

Some consider it poisonous but it is totally harmless.

 

It was photographed on Mt. Parnitha.

 

 

Anacamptis collina

IMG-0411 [Anacamptis collina]
 

Anacamptis collina is a widespread wild orchid

native to the Mediterranean countries and to West Asia.

 It grows in a variety of habitats, mainly in hilly areas, from low levels to 1300m.

 

Depending on weather conditions, it may appear in two consecutive periods;

In January and in March.Or it may not appear at all!

 

On the other hand, it may be a low flower in lower levels

or a tall, robust one in higher levels where it may reach the height of 40cm!

 

In Greece we find it sporadically from Central Mainland

down to Crete where it is more common.

 

The plant in the picture above is less than 20cm tall

and was photographed in the month of January at the foot of Mt. Egaleo in Attica.

 

 

 

The Parthenon

803_6569 [Parthenon]

A night shot of the Parthenon 

(taken from a distance of 3,9km)…

 

303_9483 [Parthenon]

…and a day one

(taken from very close).

 

Please click on the pictures to view them in higher resolution.

 

[The Parthenon needs no ‘introductions’, I believe,

so, please let me make no more comments today. Thank you.]

Narcissus papyraceus

DSCN3531 [Narcissus papyraceus]

 

This photo dates back to January 2009.

I had found the species of papyraceous on one and only spot

on the whole Mt. Hymittos and I remember I was then very happy with my luck.

 

Today, I am filled with disappointment

because I repeatedly visited the spot in the last three or four years

to take and share with you a new picture but no success. 

The flower seems not to be there anymore!

Human intervention? Other cause?

 

In any case, whatever the reason, it is sad and disappointing! Sorry.

 

 

Lycoperdon perlatum

IMG_3188 [Lycoperdon perlatum]

Lycoperdon perlatum is a widespread mushroom species

found in almost any country of the world.

It grows solitarily or in groups throughout the year

in habitats like woods, grassy areas, gardens, or along road sides.

 

When the mushroom reaches maturity,

its cap can reach 70mm in diameter

and gets a pear-like shape with a flattened top

where it develops a hole which opens, and under certain conditions,

it lets mature, brown, powdery spores escape to perpetuate the species.

 See demonstration below.

 

 

IMG-3182 [Lycoperdon perlatum]
 

Photo and video from Mt. Hymittos.

Feb. 4, 2024

 

Ophrys fusca

IMG_3206 [Ophrys fusca]

 

While I was strolling on Mt Hymittos for some fresh air in the middle of the winter,

I had an ‘unexpected encounter’ with this Ophrys.

Not having my camera with me,

I took this picture with my mobile phone.

 

It is a widespread Ophrys in Greece

that blooms from February to April on heights of up to 1100m.

 

This encounter may be symbolic.

It may be signifying the onset of the new Ophrys hunting period

for some flora photographers!

 

Mt. Hymittos, Feb. 04, 2024