Author Topic: Kazakhstan Tien Shan (Read 8209 times)

Dave M · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2016, 10:21:46 PM »

Huge old cushions of Thylacosprmum caespitosum grew at around 3,500m providing home to a range of species growing on and within them.

Thylacosprmum caespitosum

Smelowskia calycina

Sibbaldia tetrandra

Tulipa dasystemon

Dave M · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2016, 10:22:29 PM »

Quote from: Lawrence on July 03, 2016, 10:19:16 PM

What a fabulous trip Dave, love the pink Taraxicum

Wait for the Paraquilegia!

Dave M · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2016, 10:25:30 PM »

A few more bits growing on Thylacosprmum caespitosum.

Saxifraga macrocalyx

Oxytropis chionobia

Draba altaica

Dave M · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2016, 10:29:10 PM »

North facing cliffs provided ideal conditions for Paraquilegia anemonoides, some plants were nearly 1m across!

Yann · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2016, 10:33:06 PM »

Dave i like your photos, what a stunning country

johnralphcarpenter · « **Reply #20 on:** July 04, 2016, 12:14:14 AM »

Philippe · « **Reply #21 on:** July 04, 2016, 06:41:15 AM »

Super interesting report on stunning plants and landscapes.
I'm particularly happy to have seen the setting of Eritichium tianshanicum and some other gems from this marvelous mountains!
Thank you very much for the pics.

fermi de Sousa · « **Reply #22 on:** July 04, 2016, 07:24:48 AM »

Fabulous stuff, Dave!
For a muppet you cut a fine figure as a horseman

cheers
fermi

Dave M · « **Reply #23 on:** July 04, 2016, 07:59:18 AM »

Moving west we caught the overnight sleeper train from Almaty to get to Aksu-Dzhagley Nature Reserve. The reserve, formed in 1926 is the oldest reserve in Asia and spans some 131,000ha, nearly all mountainous with the highest peak, Mount Sayram at 4,238m asl. Its home to over 1300 species of vascular plants, rare mammals including snow leopard and Indian Crested Porcupine yet is at the mercy of climate change like many places with its glaciers noticeably melting year by year. Access is strictly limited to 26 people per area per week, needing a permit arranged in advance along with accompaniment of a park ranger at all times. We spent 3 nights up in the alpine zone at Ulken Kaindy (using horses and foot to get around) and a further 2 days visiting 2 of its impressive lower altitude gorges: Kok Sai and Aksu.

Kok Sai Gorge held many interesting and unusual plants, being significantly lower in altitude but unfortunately most of the bulbous plants had finished flowering the previous month. Given the quantity of Tulip seed heads the place must have been stunning in April/May with Tulipa greigii, T. bifloriformis and T. turkestanica super numerous. Spent leaves and flower heads of various junno iris were also abundant. It also looked the ideal film set for an Indiana Jones film!