Papaver rhoeas

IMG_7529 [Papaver rhoeas]

Every spring, the bright red flowers of Papaver rhoeas,

or “The common poppy” as it is widely known,

bring color to fields, roadsides, and open ground across much of Europe.

It is one of the continent's most widespread wildflowers.

In Greece,

its vivid flowers are a familiar sight especially at low elevations.

Although the common poppy still thrives in many places,

it has become less abundant in cultivated fields

because it is often treated as a weed

and controlled with herbicides.

Even so,

its brilliant flowers continue to be

one of the most memorable signs of spring and early summer.

 

 

 

801_9353 [Papaver rhoeas]

 

This annual plant grows up to 60 cm tall,

blooms from March to June

and produces a vibrant poppy flower of 50–60 mm across.

 

 

 

301_9533 [Papaver rhoeas]

Despite its predominant red color,

the poppy bloom may appear in various shades of red.

 

 

 

IMG_0085 [Papaver rhoeas]

 

Each bloom has four silky red petals

which often have a black patch at the base.

 

 

 

IMG_7550 [Papaver rhoeas]

 The black patch is sometimes edged with white. 

 

 

801_4362 [Papaver rhoeas]

After flowering,

the blossom develops a spherical seed capsule

with eight to thirteen stigmatic rays.

 

 

 

Pancratium maritimum

IMG_8675 [Pancratium maritimum]

 

Pancratium maritimum,

commonly known as the Sand Lily or Sand Daffodil,

is one of the most attractive flowering plants of the Mediterranean region.

It thrives in coastal sand dunes along the Mediterranean coastline

and blooms from July to October.

 

 

 

IMG_8707 [Pancratium maritimum]

 

These plants usually grow in clumps

and can reach a height of about 50 cm.

Unlike most flowering plants,

their leaves are green during winter

but wither and dry up as the flowers begin to appear.

 

303_6801 [Pancratium maritimum]

The flowers are large, pure white, trumpet-shaped,

and remarkably beautiful;

a fact that maks them one of the most striking sights

on Mediterranean beaches.

 

 

IMG_8706 [Pancratium maritimum]

 

The plant produces three-sided fruit capsules

that release large, lightweight black seeds.

If carried into the nearby seawater,

the seeds float and are dispersed by sea currents,

allowing the species to colonize other sandy coastal habitats.

 

 

A monumental gate

FBHB 5640 [Monumental gate]

This monumental gate marks the entrance to the Roman Agora in Athens.

 

It was built in 11 BC through donations

from the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Augustus,

whose names are inscribed on the stone block above the columns.

 

The entire structure was constructed from gray marble,

the same type of marble used to build the Parthenon.

 

Remarkably,

the gate has remained in exceptionally good condition

for more than 2,000 years,

despite being built without any connecting materials

between the marble blocks.

 

This is the view from the west.

 

 

 

803_9129 [Monumental gate]

 The same gate viewed from the east at sunset.

 

Please click on the images to see them in higher resolution.

Thanks.

 

If any one of you has missed my older post

of a detailed video presentation of the Roman Agora (13 min),

please click HERE.

 

 

Tulipa hageri

801_3873 [Tulipa hageri]

 

Tulipa hageri is a short (15-30 cm tall) perennial plant

found in the Balkan region.

 

 In Greece,

it thrives in damp meadows and on stony, grassy slopes of the central mainland.

It is noted for its vibrant red, cup-shaped flowers,

which are usually solitary and measure 30–50 mm across.

They typically bloom from March to May.

 

Despite being a hardy species,

Tulipa hageri is becoming increasingly rare in some areas,

while it still flourishes abundantly in others.

 

Here follow some pictures

showing Tulipa hageri at various stages of development.

 

All pictures were taken on Mt. Parnitha, in Attica.

 

 

801_3877 [Tulipa hageri]

 A hageri bud at an early stage. It will soon turn red.

[See next picture]

 

 

IMG_0056 [Tulipa hageri]

IMG_0235 [Tulipa hageri]

The flower in full bloom.

 

 

304_1749 [Tulipa hageri]

The flower retains its cup-shape, even when it is in full bloom.

It seldom opens fully.

  

 

304_1759 [Tulipa hageri]

 

 

Ictineo II

MG_4252 [Ictineo II]

 

The Ictineo II was a pioneering submarine built in 1862

by the Catalan inventor Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol (1819–1885).

 

Constructed from olive wood with oak reinforcements,

the vessel was 14 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 3 meters high,

capable of diving to depths of around 27 meters.

Remarkably,

it was the world's first submarine powered by a combustion engine.

 

The full-scale replica shown in this photo was built in 1992

and placed on public display at the Harbor of Barcelona.

 

Back in 2006,

every passing tourist seemed to raise their camera

to capture a picture of it—and I was no exception!

 

By the way,

Barcelona: Visit once, remember forever.

 

 

Paeonia mascula hellenica

301_9143 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

Paeonia mascula hellenica is one of the three mascula subspecies

that grow in various parts of Greece.

It is a perennial that can reach a height of 80 cm,

grows in colonies,

and has striking white (or sometimes red) flowers that are 10–13 cm across.

It grows between 400 and 1300 meters above sea level

in rocky meadows and wooded clearings.

It is a highly rare plant

which has been used in medicine since ancient times.

Today,

it is used for ornamentation as well.

Sadly, the flowers have an overcollection problem.

 

 

301_9146 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

 

301_9117 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

The dominant white form of the flower …
 

 

 

301_9131 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

301_9166 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 … and the rare, red form

 

The flowers stay in bloom for only two to three weeks

in the blooming season of late March to early May.

 

  

A petrified forest

[petrified forest 1]

 

A few days ago,

as I was mentally searching the Greek islands in the Aegean

for a summer vacation spot for my family this year,

my thoughts drifted back to a past trip to Lesvos.

Most of my memories of this island have faded;

yet, one thing remains unforgettable:

the striking petrified forest

that covers a large portion of the western part of the island

where more than 150 fossilized logs have been unearthed over the years.

My next idea was to show you some of these ancient wonders.

They were formed a staggering 17 to 20 million years ago

by a series of volcanic eruptions!!!

Take a look.

 

 

[petrified forest 2]

 

[petrified forest 3]

 

 

The people in the following images are not part of the tree logs! 😊😊😊

They were positioned there purely for scale,

allowing the viewer to better estimate the size of the tree logs.

 

 

 

[petrified forest 4]

[petrified Forest 5]

[petrified porest 6

[petrified forest 7]

This is a log of an obviously very tall tree.

Yet, I was reading in the papers that additional, even longer, tree logs have been found.

One of them is 19,5 m long

and is complete with its roots, branches and leaves!!!

 

All pictures above were reproduced from old analog copies.

 

 

Viola odorata

802_3421 [Viola odorata]

 

Viola odorata is a low-growing perennial plant

native to Eurasia

and widely distributed throughout Greece,

on both the mainland and the islands.

It thrives in moist, shady habitats, including forests and shrublands,

at elevations of 200–1,500 m.

 

 

304_1896 [Viola odorata]

 It blooms from January to May

and produces fragrant violet flowers 13–15 mm across.

 

 

 

 

Nigella damascena

304_6587 [Nigella damascena]

Nigella damascena,

commonly known as “Love-in-a Mist”,

is an attractive, annual plant growing in the mediterranean region

and much of Europe.

 

It may be the most easily recognizable flower

probably because of its numerous prominent stamens,

its five, striking, pale-blue or white, petal-like structures

and of its feathery leaves

which are divided into narrow thread-like segments.

 

The plant is found in grassy or dry habitats

at elevations up to 1400 m,

it blooms from April to June 

and produces flowers of about 30-40 mm across.

IMG_0485 Nigella damascena]

A damascena flower in its white form

IMG_803_6213 [Nigella damascena]

 After flowering,

the plant’s female reproductive organ inflates

to form a spherical fruit up to 30 mm across

and is surrounded by a mesh of bracts similar to the leaves. 

 

804_2029 [Nigella damascena]

The fruit gradually dries out

and finally opens to release seeds that fall on the ground

and cause the plant to reappear

almost at the same spot year after year!

Reflections

IMG_1216 [Reflections]

Three years ago,

I felt the need for a short vacation,

even though summer had not yet arrived.

 

I was not asking for much:

just a cozy little hotel with a clean room,

a comfortable bed, good food,

and a "royal" breakfast by the swimming pool. 

Some beautiful reflections in the pool would have been a bonus,

as I have always enjoyed looking at them.

 

I am happy to say

that I found everything I was looking for,

including the reflections, at the hotel shown above.

 

If you too are fond of reflections,

click on the picture to view them in higher resolution.

 

The photograph was taken shortly after dawn,

when most guests were still asleep

and the only thing you could hear outside

was ... the silence!

 

 

  

Chrysanthemum coronarium

804_2687 [Chrysanthemum coronarium]

 

Chrysanthemum coronarium is a widely prevalent, annual plant

of the Mediterranean region.

It grows in fields and wastelands and becomes 20-80 mm tall.

It grows in large numbers, one close to the other,

and generates numerous, striking yellow flower heads

which create a strong contrast with the plant’s green leaves.

 

In Greece,

coronarium appears in two variations that are almost identical,

with the standard variation having all-yellow flower heads

 and a bi-color variation having yellow and white tepals.

Both variations bloom from March to May.

  

 

 

804_2695 [Chrysanthemum coronarium]

 The yellow flower heads of the most common variation.

They are 30-60 mm across.

 

 

 

804_2560 [Chrysanthemum coronarium]

The flower head of the bi-color variation.

 

 

 

804_2563 [Chrysanthemum coronarium]

 It is not unusual to see both variations grow next to each other.

 

Both variations are also cultivated in gardens.

 

 

 Photographed at the foot of Mt. Hymittos

 

 

Once on Skyros ...

 

IMG_6426 [seashell]
 

Once,

while on vacation on the Greek island of Skyros,

I was searching the beach for unique seashells to photograph.

 

I hadn't found anything more interesting than this lone shell,

so I snapped the photo and, slightly disappointed,

headed in a different direction while thinking of a change of plans.

 

  

DSCN0164 [leg shadow]

A bit later,

I was surprised to see the setting sun casting

a long shadow of my body right in front of me.

 

I instantly forgot about the seascape I was planning to shoot

and once again, I pressed the button

capturing my giant shadow and letting the seascape wait.

 

Looking at my long shadow-legs,

I thought for a moment

that I was one of those admirable people

who can walk on stilts!

 

By the way, 

you don’t remember when it was the last time

you saw someone walking on stilts?

That’s OK. Watch the short video below to see them in action!

 

 

 

 

Consolida tenuissima

804_2764 [Consolida tenuissima]

Consolida tenuissima is an annual plant endemic

to the mountains of Attica, Evia, and Skiros.

It becomes up to 50 cm tall

and can be seen in bloom from April to June.

It is usually found in Scrublands, Rocky slopes, Forest clearings,

and Uncultivated fields at heights from 200-900 m.

 

However,

when one sees it on the mountain,

it is good to remember that it is included

in the “Red Data Book of Rare and Endangered Plants of Greece (RDB 2009)”

and that it is designated as “Vulnerable”.

 

 

 

804_0018 [Consolida tenuissima]

 Flowers are small, about 10 mm across,

with a spur that reaches 15 mm in length.

 

 

Ornithogalum arabicum

IMG_7551 [Ornithogalum arabicum]

 

Greece is home to more than 20 species of Ornithogalum

but Ornithogalum arabicum is probably the largest and most distinctive.

 

Although it can normally reach the height of 80 cm,

the plant in the picture was hardly 30 cm tall.

 

It blooms from April to May

and produces a cluster of up to 25

bowl-shaped, pure-white flowers of about 5 cm across each.

 

It flourishes on rocky places and fallow grounds

of West and Central Mediterranean countries.

It is also cultivated in gardens.

 

 

IMG_7555 [Ornithogalum arabicum]

 A close-up of the flower revealing details.

 

The dark ovary dominating the center

makes arabicum easily recognizable.

 

The pictures were captured in an unused plot

within the residential area of Athens.