Sternbergia lutea

IMG_1251 [Sternbergia lutea]

A low to short, 40-50mm long flower that looks like a crocus.

 

It grows from August to October on rocky and grassy slopes, and

generally, on hills and low mountains in the Mediterranean region.

 

The picture above was taken at the foot of the Acropolis in October 2022.

 

 

IMG_1218 [Sterbergia lutea]
 

It grows solitary (see above) or in open clusters (see below).

 

 

IMG_1222 [Sternbergia lutea]

 

The last two pictures were taken on Mt. Hymittos in October 2022.

 

Lotus edulis

DSCN2952 [Lotus edulis]

 

A Mediterranean plant widely distributed in Greece.

 

It is a low plant that sprawls up to 30 cm long on the ground and reaches a height of 30-40 cm.

 

It grows in cultivated fields, roadsides and rocky habitats in altitudes usually up to 300 m.

 However, the picture above was taken at a height of about 700-800 on Mt. Parnitha.

 

It flowers in Spring but surprisingly enough it was photographed on October 18 (2008)

 

 

Anser anser

302_4663 [Anser anser]

 

This grey goose is the direct ancestor of the domestic goose.

 

It was photographed in “Tritsi’s Park” in Athens on March 21, 2010

 

 

 

304_3971 [Anser anser]

 

Photographed on lake Beletsi on Mt. Parnitha on February 26, 2014

Parental support

302_4690 [Parental support]

I was looking for flowers to photograph in Tritsis’ Park in Athens

when I saw this father to be helping her daughter

to keep her balance along the deserted railway lines. 

 

Symbolic of his parental support to the end of her life?

 

Photographed in March 2010

 

 

Colchicum sfikasianum

IMG_0998 [Colchicum sfikasianum]

 

 

IMG_0973 [Colchicum sfikasianum]

 

IMG_0983 [Colchicum sfikasianum]

 

Colchicum sfikasianum flowers from September to November, while its leaves appear in Spring.

It is endemic to S. Peloponnese, to Mt. Hymittos and to some Ionic islands

where it grows in stony and rocky places mainly at heights of up to 500 m.

 

It is also called "Colchicum polymorphum"

as it comes in a variety of color shades as seen in the pictures above.

 

All pictures were taken on Mt. Hymittos on September 13, 2022 

 

 

Colchicum bivonae

803_0315 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

 

IMG_0945 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

IMG_0948 [Colchicum bivonae]

Colchicum bivonae is native to Italy and the Balkan Peninsula

but it can also be found in other countries of Southern Europe.

 It is very common in Greece

where it prefers mountainous regions in heights of around 500 meters.

 

From September to mid-November

it produces solitary, strong purplish-pink flowers of 10-15 cm resembling a cup,

while its leaves appear from March to June.

 

All parts of the plant - but especially the bulb - are poisonous.

 

All pictures were taken on Mt. Parnitha on September 10, 2022

 

 

Tragopogon sinuatus

304_1484 [Tragopogon sinuatus]

 

It can be found in open grassy places in heights of up to 700 m.

 

Photographed in Lavrio on April 04, 2013

 

 

Ciconia ciconia

801_7698 [Ciconia ciconia]

 

Ciconia Ciconia is one the Europe’s largest and most easily recognized birds. It is still widespread in European countries but its population is declining due to intense farming and increasingly drying wetlands where it feeds on small rodents, frogs, small fish and the like.

 

The bird in the picture was seen to be flying in the skies of the Northwestern suburbs of Athens where it was photographed back in 2014.

 

For a Ciconia family please click on older post here.