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.

 

 

Oenanthe oenanthe

304_4726 [Oenanthe oenanthe]

This bird (about 15 cm long) lives in open places such as meadows, dunes, or pastures.

It constantly moves and swings its tail, opening it like a fan.

It nests in wall holes, piles of stones or holes in the ground,

it feeds on insects and as almost all birds spends winters in Africa.

 

In the case above it “landed” on a wooden statue on Mt. Parnitha

where it was photographed back in May, 2014 

 

 

Lonicera implexa

801_4590 [Lonicera implexa]

 

Lonicera implexa is a bush that can reach the height of two meters.

It grows in altitudes of 100-1400m in mainland Greece and on some islands.

 

The flowers it bears are fragrant.

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on May 02, 2014

 

 

Psittacula krameri

300_7063 [Psittacula krameri]

 

Photographed in Holargos on March 25, 2022

 

 

Ophrys schlechteriana

802_3641 [Ophrys heldreichii var. schlehterana]

 

 This is a Greek endemic subspecies with still unclear distribution. It has been found in Central Greece, the Peloponnese and the Cyclades. Relatively common with large populations. It blooms in April and May in meadows and uncultivated areas up to 1000 meters.

 

Photographed in Dilesi on April 14, 2016