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

 

Gagea peduncularis

HO3938 [Gagea peduncularis]

 

A brave little flower that dared to bloom

almost before the snow of the recent, heavy, snowfall had melted away.

 

Photographed with my mobile at the foot of Mt. Hymittos on February 24, 2021

 

 

Mantis religiosa

803_7883 mantis religiosa]

 

This insect is the most well-known of many similar mantids. It can be found in Central and Southern Europe. Adults reach 6-7 cm in length.

 

For those who are not familiar with it, it is worth to note that it is a fearsome predator. It remains motionless and waits for other insects to come close enough. Then, in a split-second it seizes them with its powerful, spiny forelegs and enjoys its meal!

 

Although I have seen a mantis a number of times, I confess that this time I spent more time in looking carefully at the anatomy of its body rather than in taking the picture. The widely spaced eyes on its triangular head seem to provide it with a wider field of view and allow it to strike with deadly accuracy, while the spines on the forelegs make it almost impossible for the prey to escape.

 

 

Narcissus papyraceus

301_5070 [narcissus papyraceus]

 

This eye-catching flower is wildly cultivated for its beauty and strong fragrance

but it is also found in the wild as is the case with the picture above.

 

 Photographed in Anthusa on January 12, 2016 

 

Crocus nivalis

801_1739 [Crocus nivalis]

Photographed in Anthusa on January 08, 2014

 

 

 

IMG_0050 [Crocus nivalis]

Photographed in Anthusa on January 05, 2011