Merry Christmas!

_MG_5367 [Wishes]

 

"M e r r y  C h r i s t m a s !

and

A Happy New Year!"

from Tagton the blogger

foemina

IMG_1332 [Ephoedra foemina]

 

Ephedra foemina is a perennial shrub found on rocky slopes at heights of up to 1000 meters.

It usually climbs on other plants

but its green - or reddish - thin and flexible shoots seem to be hanging

from the top of a plant towards the ground.

 

Its red fruits provide an impressive sight.

 

Photographed on Mt Hymittos on October 27, 2022

 

 

804_0527 [Ephedra foemina]

 A closeup photo of Ephedra’s fruit. It’s 6-8mm wide.

 

 

Pyracantha coccinea

IMG_0962 [Pyracantha coccinea]

This evergreen thorny shrub grows in countries of southern Europe and western Asia

not only in the wild but also in gardens and hedges in urban areas.

 

Beware of the thorns!

 

 

804_0514 [Pyracantha coccinea]

 

Pyracantha’s (fruit-) berries are bitter and astringent.

They may look like big tomatoes in this closeup picture

but they are actually only 6-7 mm wide.

Ficus carica

IMG_1304 [Ficus carica]

 

Ficus carica: Our well-known fig tree.

 

I found it standing at the side of a road on Mt. Hymittos. It was “dressed” in its autumn colors 

and was creating a striking contrast with the all-green environment around.

 

It had no figs to offer. Only a strong “color coded message” that we were heading to the center of Winter. 

 

 

IMG_1307 [Ficus carica]

One of its lowest branches.

IMG_1309 [Ficus carica]

Four leaves at the foot of the tree seemed to refuse to accept

that Winter was unavoidably coming.

 

Photographed on October 27, 2022

Pica Pica

IMG_1242 [Pica pica]

 

A striking, black and white, easy recognizable bird that flies all over Europe.

 Although it is a sociable bird, this was the first time a Pica let me approach it that close and take the shot.

 

Photographed on Philopappou Hill, opposite the Acropolis, in Athens on October 12, 2022 

 

 

Crocus cartwrightianus

IMG_6363 [Crocus cartwrightianus]

Crocus cartwrightianus from Mt. Hymittos.

 

It was photographed on October 31, 2022

 

Crocus pallasii

IMG_1330 [Crocus pallasii]

 

Crocus pallasii flowers from October to November usually on stony areas and in thin shrub

in countries from the Balcan to Iran.

In Greece, until a few years ago, it was believed to grow only on the East Aegean Islands

but now it is known to have been recorded on the Greek mainland as well.

Color-wise, it comes in all shades of lilac.

 

It was photographed on Mt. Hymittos on October 27, 2022.

 

 

Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum

803_0327 [Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum]

 

803_0329 [Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum]

 

This perennial flower is widespread in stony grounds of Mediteranean regions.

It appears, without leaves, from July to November.

 

Photographed on Philopappou Hill, opposite the Acropolis, on October 12, 2022

 

 

302_9538 [Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum]

 The leaves appear before or after the flower (= spathe and spadix).

 

This picture was taken on Mt. Hymittos on October 15, 2010