Greece autumn 2017

[sokol]

We stopped several times on our way from Areopoli to Kalamata.



Again a nice group of Crocus goulimy.



Scilla autumnalis



Flowering Urginea maritima only at one location.

[sokol]

Narcissus obsoletus again.





Spiranthes spiralis





We were not quite sure with the next Colchicum before we looked at the corm. In the north of Mani it is Colchicum cupanii again that we have seen quite often on our trip.

[sokol]

Around Kardamili



Last location for the day just a bit south of Kalamata with Colchicum parlatoris



and thousands of Scilla autumnalis



Then we left the south and went to the northwest coast for our last day.

[Gabriela]

What a great trip Stefan!
Nice to see all the landscapes pictures, they give such a clear image of the habitats where these bulbous plants grow.
I am getting in love with Sternbergia sicula

[Yann]

I'm also in love with the goulimyi's bouquet 

[sokol]

I am getting in love with Sternbergia sicula

It is really a nice plant in the garden also. It flowers well every year and is fully hardy here. I always collect some seed in spring and the best are from Menalon mountains in Greece.

[sokol]

There is a nice landscape in the northwest of Peloponnese along the coast with pines and wetlands. We have been there in April this year when we have found some interesting orchids.





First we checked a site where a friend has noted "many flowered Colchicum". It was again Colchicum cupanii but really many.







In autumn the forests itself seamed to be nearly without any flower besides a few Spiranthes spiralis. Further to the south there were Crocus, Colchicum and Narcissus but not here.

Half the way down to the southern end of the big bay we have met our friends by chance who searched in the other direction.

We have decided to stay together for the remaining hours.

[sokol]

First we checked some place for orchid rosettes of Serapias and Orchis but nothing was out.









O course there were some water birds like these flamingos.

[sokol]

The main target were the dune landscape at the northern end of the bay of Kalogria.





First we have found Bufo viridis, the green toad. I have told it that I need just 10 seconds for a picture. But it didn't understand or believe me.



It was hard work till I finally have taken a satisfying picture.



The next one has understood me much better and it was quite easy. It was much bigger and therefore elder and probably wiser than the first.

[sokol]

Next animal was a rather big antlion.





A beehouse



and some thicktail scorpions

[sokol]

Also the turtles, both are Testudo graeca have been rather uncooperative

[sokol]

Still at the beach



with hundreds of seeding Pancratium maritumum





a juvenile Lacerta trilineata with its three lines.



and a scolopender.

[sokol]

Next was a larva of Empusa fascinata.





The dragonfly waited kindly till I have taken some pictures.



The last animal pictures were taken of Mauremys rivulata. I have had just one attempt after approaching them. They jumped into the water after hearing the release.

[sokol]

Then we had to leave and passed this nice chapel.



and the mountain above Kalogria.



We entered the ferry to Ancona in late afternoon and left Greece for this year.



Meanwhile I am rather sure that I will come back next autumn.

[Steve Garvie]

Thanks Stefan.
A very comprehensive and enjoyable report of your trip to Greece.