Crete in april

[Armin]

Yann,
marvelous images. Thanks for showing.

The bug on Fritillaria messanensis looks like a lily beetle, right?

[SteveC2]

As Yann says I have been up to Spili this week.  Orchid heaven!  Not as many as when Yann visited, 30 degrees plus much of the week so a lot of dry, blackened plants, and bowing a hoolie the last two days, but still enough to make me happy.  Will share some photos when I get home.

[Maggi Young]

Sounds fun Steve.  You'll need your thermals when you get back, I'm afraid.

[SteveC2]

I think 11.30 on Sunday night in Manchester is going to feel a bit bracing

[ThomasHe]

very nice Yann. Love all but the Fritillaria is very nice!!

[Margaret]

Really enjoyed your photos, Yann. Thank you for sharing.

[Yann]

More this week end, a bit busy with a next trip's preparation

[Yann]

an ocean of orchids

[Maggi Young]

The variety is endless, isn't it?

[Yann]

For sure the combination of patterns and colors is unlimited, for the botanist's happiness

[TheOnionMan]

Excellent plant portraits and diverse array of flora.  I believe the Allium shown in a couple photos is actually Allium nigrum (it comes in pink forms), not Allium commutatum.
http://www.cretanflora.com/allium_nigrum.html

[Yann]

Yes Mark! shame on me 

[SteveC2]

As Yann mentioned I followed him up onto the Spili Bumps last week.  Truly is a botanical paradise.  Just a few of my favourites, mostly orchids.
The butterfly orchid, Anacamptis papillionaceae is one I have grown for years, so it was nice to see it wild.
Why do pyramids always look better on a Mediterranean hillside than at home?
A couple of Ophrys which were new to me, candica and episcopalis.
A man orchid, with a unique way of avoiding being grazed.  Though how it photosynthesises beneath its protector I am not sure.

[SteveC2]

Orchis italica.  The main flush was over but I will never get tired of seeing these.
Ophrys cretica, stunning.
Ophrys fusca.  The lumper in me will go no further, which is just as well as it gets difficult.
Orchis pauciflora.  Love the yellow.

[SteveC2]

And some non orchids which made an impression on me.
Petromarula pinnata.  The rock lettuce, how it clings to the rock face I will never know.
The yellow horned poppy, Glaucium flavum, possibly my favourite find of the week.  Love poppies but this was spectacular.
We found the last of the Tulipa doerfleri, but the field must have been impressive when they were all open.
And something I have not yet identified, but nice flower!  Forgive my ignorance.  Help.