Ophrys ferrum-equinum

803_8336 [Ophrys ferrum-equinum]

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on Apri 3, 2021

 

 

Orchis italica

801_3329 [Orchis italica]

 

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha on March 24, 2014 

 

 

803_8352 [Orchis italica]

 Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on April 03, 2021

 

This species of orchid is native, widespread and common throughout the Mediterranean countries. It can reach about 30 cm in height and is found solitary or in small colonies from April to May.

 

The Orchid family [Orchidaceae] to which it belongs is the second largest family of flowering plants and counts 18.000 members!

 

[Between you and me, according to my records, so far, I have photographed about 100 species.

If my math is correct, there are only 17.900 left to go! There is no reason for me not to be optimistic! Right?]

Neotinea maculata

803_8322 [Neotinea maculata]

 

This quite common wild orchid can be found almost in any part of Greece. Sometimes in large populations.

However, contrary to what I would wish, the plant above was solitary and only my second time I have ever seen this orchid in the field!

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on April 3, 2021

 

Please click on the picture for a better view.

Delichon urbicum

304_5205 [Delichon urbicum]

 

I love these little birds [12-13cm]. Probably because their arrival in my country is asssociated with Spring, my favorite season.

 

Bird books report that every year Delichons leave South Africa and fly for more than 10.000 km over the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea to reach southern Europe at Spring time where they can enjoy favorable Spring weather conditions. Unfortunately, due to peculiar circumstances this year, I haven’t seen them around yet but I am sure they have come and have already started collecting mud to build their nests on house-walls in urban areas.

 

 

304_5208 [Delichon urbicum]

 

A Delichon at work: collecting mud for the nest.

 

Photographed at Oropos on April 06, 2015

 

Himantoglossum robertianum

IMG_9052 [Himantoglossum robertianum]

 

This is the only Himantoglosum robertianum I managed to find and photograph so far this year because of the Covid-19 lockdown and the applied restrictions in moving around.

It doesn’t seem to be fully developed and certainly not the most presentable flower but under the circumstances, I considered it a welcome find. 

 

 

Here follow two cropped sections of the same plant that reveal details.

 

IMG_9052 cr1

 

 

IMG_9052 cr2

 

Photographed at the foot of Mt. Hymittos on march 10, 2021

 

Please click on the pictures for a better view.

 

 

 

Strolling in the portico

303_9509 [Strolling in the portico]

 

The two ladies in the picture seem to have just completed their visit to the museum in the Stoa of Attalos and decided that a leisurely walk along the pillars of the portico was what they needed in order to relax and re-think of what they had seen. 

 

The portico is part of the Stoa of Attalos.

 

 

The Stoa of Attalos

303_9498 [Stoa of Attalos]

 The Stoa of Attalos is a long building, 115 by 20 meters, made of marble and is located inside the archeological site at the foot of the Acropolis.

 

It houses the Museum of Ancient Agora. 

 

Both pictures were taken on September 17, 2012. 

 

Please click on the pictures for a better view.

Garrulus glandarius

300_6971 [Garrulus glandarius]

 

This impressive bird is usually found in wooded areas and sometimes parks and large gardens throughout most of Europe. Surprisingly, however, this morning it came to our small home garden where I grabbed the opportunity to take the picture.

 

It feeds on insects, seeds and especially acorns that it seems to like most. In Autumn it collects as many acorns as it can find and buries them in the ground to eat them in harsh winter days and perhaps in Spring!

 

Mature birds vary in length from 32 to 37 cm.

 

Photographed from the balcony of our apartment in Holargos on March 6, 2021.

Fountain of the Lions

302_1280 [Fountail of the Lions]

The head of a lion.

 

Figures like this, pouring water through their mouth, decorate fountains in numerous parts of the world. Curious to know where this one was found? Follow your imagination to Italy, … to Rome, … to Plazza del Popolo, … to the Obelisk in the center of the Plazza, … and look at the base of the Obelisk. Four similar lions stand there, each one on a small pyramid and constitute the Fountain of the Lions: A piece of work designed by the Italian architect Valadier in 1823. 

 

For a nice view of the Plazza itself please click here (Wikipedia).

 

Photographed on August 17, 2009