Spring around Lake Neusiedl/Austria

[Gerdk]

Here I would like to show some impressions from a short stay (11 days) in the Austrian Burgenland.
I start with pics taken at the Nature Reserve Thenau near Breitenbrunn.
This is a site dominated by dry grassland under the influence of a steppe climate (the Hungarian lowlands
are not far away)

Iris pumila in nearly all colours were at its best

Gerd

[Gerdk]

Part 2

Iris pumila - colour variants and Adonis vernalis

Gerd

[Gerdk]

Part 3

1. Globularia bisnagarica
2. Pulsatilla pratensis
3. Genista pilosa
4. typical wine cellar
5. - we were not alone!

Gerd

will be continued

[Maggi Young]

What a delightful place to visit. The Iris are quite enchanting.

[Robert]

Gerd,

I look forward to the remaining photographs from your trip to Austria. It is a shame that my wife and I visited Vienna during the winter. I remember taking a trolley to the far eastern edge of town. The countryside in this area was wooded, however I remember a view to the east and noticing vineyards and open plains. My wife told me that it was that way all the way into Hungary. Most of the land appeared to be devoted to agriculture, however it seems that small portions of the native habitat have been saved. I also wonder what might have grown in the deciduous woodland that I saw.

[Gabriela]

Wow - what a treat to catch Iris pumila flowering in masse like that!

[David Nicholson]

Enjoyed your pictures Gerd, thanks for posting.

[Gerdk]

Thanks for kind comments alltogether!
@ Robert:
The comments of your wife concerning the landscape can not be denied - indeed a large proportion of the region is used for agriculture and viniculture(especially near Lake Neusiedl). Also the impression of vast amounts of windturbines, particularly at the Parndorfer Platte present an unpleasant aspect. But - between Vienna and the lowlands towards Hungary you'll find the densely forested ridge of the Leithagebirge with an interesting vegetation - for instance millions of Galanthus nivalis, Allium ursinum, Anemone, Viola species! etc.
As usual in densely populated regions in Central Europe you have to look for the remaing areas which were left for nature. There is list of this places which may be of interest (in German only)
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Naturschutzgebiete_im_Burgenland

the viola species shown is annuell Viola kitaibeliana, the last pic was taken at the edge of the Leithagebirge

Gerd

will be continued

[Gerdk]

Cont.

Some woodlanders

1. Isopyrum thalictroides
2.- 4. Anemone ranunculoides (no.4 with Galanthus leaves)
5. Allium ursinum

Gerd

will be continued

[Gerdk]

Cont.

These are some species growing in or at the edges of woodlands

1. Corydalis cava
2. Viola odorata
3. Viola obliqua - a neophyt found in alpine regions of Austria and Italy
4. Symphytum tuberosum
5. Primula veris

Gerd

[Gerdk]

and the rest

1. Hesperis tristis - a biannuel with a plesant odour at night
2. Almond or Peach with the Lake Lange Lacke in the background
3. + 4. Hainburg and the Donau (Danube river) - view from the Braunsberg
5. Stork from Rust - a town well known for a large population of these birds

Gerd

[Robert]

Gerd,

Thank you for sharing the photographs.

The pink flowering fruit tree looks like a peach.    Here in California plums and almonds can become feral. Sometimes peaches, pears and apples. I guess I should label the wild pears as feral as the thorns on them can be most savage! especially betulaefolia pear. When I was in my 20's I budded and grafted commercial fruit trees. Pyrus betulaefolia rootstock was wicked to work with. Some budders wore leather. I did not, it was too hot. Leather in 40 C + heat!

Anyway, interesting plants you found in the woodland areas. Maybe this was something I missed while in Vienna. Maybe someday my wife and I will return during the springtime.

[Cfred72]

Very nice walk, Gerd. Thank you for sharing your photographic memories.

[christian pfalz]

hallo gerd,
schöne bilder.....übrigens dem prunus geht es prächtig......hat sehr gut geblüht dieses jahr....
grusss
chris

[Gerdk]

Frederic & Christian,
Thank you both for compliments!

@Christian: I'll send a pic of the prunus here shortly

Gerd