Dolomites July 2009

[Martinr]

Thanks Tony for the Gentian suggestion. I've looked at the original picture blown up and the best I can say is 'you're probably right'. Hopefully as I process the rest of my pictures I'll come across a G verna and be able to complete the comparison.

cheers

[Martinr]

Day 2. This was an easy day as we sort of overdid the walking on day 1 We went back to Porto Vescovo, briefly visited the previous day, but this time it was Gondola up, wander about, Gondola down. Great area with some acid volcanic rocks instead of just Dolomitic Limestone so the flora was diverse. One or two of the pictures are poor but are included to let you know what can be seen in this locality. There are also some quiz questions = I haven't a clue!

First Bartsia alpina
Campanula scheuchzeri. Now here is an intersting conundrum. While walking along the Viel dal Pan path on day 1 I was very conscious of this Campanula growing on one side of the path and C. barbata on the other. Not once did I see either on the other side of the path. An ecological change in 3 feet! On other occasions I did see the two growing together. A PhD study there for someone.

Now for some wildlife. We fed the local Choughs some bits of apple and a family turned up. The fully fledged young wouldn't pick up the apple but did they make sure mum & dad knew they were hungry, what a racket.

And finally in this batch an unidentifed crucifer. Help!

[Martinr]

Next two portraits of Eritrichium nanum.

This was the first time I'd seen this in the wild. I was underwhelmed After all the hype this was nothing more than a neat cushion forget me not. Maybe the colour form in this area isn't the best.

Gentiana acaulis. One of the few Gentian pictures I have where you can actually identify the species, in this case by the shape of the calyx.

A cushion of Silene acaulis with a Gentian flowering through it. No Gentian leaves visible at all.

Gentiana species x 2. If anyone can separate G. clusii & acaulis from these let me know.

Gentiana verna. I think.

[Martinr]

Geum, or is it? Does anyone recognise this bicoloured form of what I assumed was Geum reptans

Two more pictures of Geum reptans although I'm less sure about the second one.

Lloydia serotina.

Polygonum viviparum. Probably the most common flower on our holiday and not large. Close up, however, I think it has loads of charm.

A view of the Porto Vescovo Gondola station. I loved the way most of the lifts in this area stopped for lunch.

Primula minima. Apologies for the dreadful photo.

Ranunculus glacialis. One of my favourite plants but we didn't see any clumps of the size we've seen in the interlaken area.

[Martinr]

Now it's quiz time. Four pictures of Saxifrages. Anyone hazard to guess a species name for any/all of them?

[Martinr]

And finally for day 2

Silene acaulis
Soldanella pusilla
Soldanella species. Is it S. minima or a variation on S. pusilla?
Vitaliana primuliflora, if that is the current name.

That's all till I process day 3.....only 12 to go

[Ragged Robin]

Martin, thanks for showing your lovely finds on day 2 - the G. verna group in the grass look magnificent and the Geum reptans is sweet huddled up by the rock - the only disappointment is that you took the Gondola up AND down as I imagined      you clinging on to the cliff edge      to capture some of these Alpine beauties   

[Martinr]

Patience, things will get higher and steeper.

[Paddy Tobin]

Great report, Martin. Many thanks, Paddy

[hadacekf]

Martin.

Great plants and pictures. thanks

Gentiana verna = G. terglouensis ssp. terglouensis
Gentiana sp. = Gentiana acaulis
Saxifraga 1 = Minuartia recurva
Saxifraga 2 = S. bryoides
Saxifraga 4 = S. depressa
Crucifer 1 = Arabis alpina

[Martinr]

Thanks Franz

[mark smyth]

Very interesting that the Choughs were taking apple which isnt a natural food

[Maggi Young]

Why isn't apple a natural food.... there must be fruit trees nearby in the lower areas..... I thought corvids would be as likely to eat windfalls as any other opportunisitic critter?

[Martinr]

The Choughs near some of the cable cars have adapted just like seagulls. I reckon they'd eat just about anything that can be got without work!

[cohan]

such a wealth of species there! the yellow pulsatilla is a real eye opener!