Dolomites July 2009

[ranunculus]

Good morning Paddy,
Without trying to put a curse on future trips, we always seem to get reasonably good or tremendous weather when we go to the Dolomites.  We get occasional thunderstorms and some torrential downpours, but they usually occur in late afternoon or evening (usually as we are about to leave the chalet to give a lecture or go for a meal) and normally well after the end of that day's walk.  Temperatures vary greatly, but I seldom (if ever) need a jacket or pullover (though, I must confess, I seldom do at home).
I don't tend to take pictures in drizzle or mist and certainly wouldn't think of getting my camera out in a downpour.
This year we arrived to rain - had isolated showers on the first two days - glorious sun and an isolated shower for the rest of the two weeks plus and then the most tremendous thunderstorm throughout the night before we left.  We donned protective tops on two occasions (once in a storm on a chair lift) and once mainly as a precaution.
Vic and Janet, who are the first to lead out the guests in early June, can suffer tremendously with storms, snow, winds, etc. but they still return each year so the overall weather can't be TOO disappointing.
We always tell people that these are high mountains, anything can happen from one hour to the next, storms dissipate in the blinking of an eye and the sun can be intense. It just makes one appreciate even more the strengths and fortitude of these little alpine gems.

[ranunculus]

Just as an illustration of the above, Paddy ... these three shots were all taken on the same day at Cinque Torre.  We arrived to mist and the possibility of a storm, the clouds soon disappeared and we had a glorious few hours for the walk and then, as we sat outside the rifugio with our hot chocolates and cake, the storm approached from another direction (only to disappear again as quickly as it had come).

Silene acaulis at Cinque Torre

[Ragged Robin]

What moody photos to end your last batch with, Cliff, the weather can be so different above and below - whilst we were experiencing thunder and lightening at 1,200 metres the other day up by the lake at 2000 metres they had sunshine without a drop of rain!

Your landscape shots of Cinque Torre are so dramatic and set the scene for all those alpine treasure you found - groups of Potentilla, Globularia, Phyteuma, Allium, Hormonium, Nigritella  Rubra...all look so happy in their own spots decorating the rocks and alpine slopes.  No wonder you go back to the Dolomites to rediscover what they have to offer, thanks so much for bringing it all close up to study and enjoy  

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Robin ... whilst we are discussing 'moody' images and the weather in the mountains, here are four shots that I captured during a transitory moment between full sun and a short sharp downpour.  Rainbow over Corvara ... probably the best rainbow shots that I have ever captured.



RAINBOW OVER CORVARA

[Maggi Young]

Many thanks Robin ... whilst we are discussing 'moody' images and the weather in the mountains, here are four shots that I captured during a transitory moment between full sun and a short sharp downpour.  Rainbow over Corvara ... probably the best rainbow shots that I have ever captured.



RAINBOW OVER CORVARA

Where's the close-up of Sue digging frantically at the end, then??

[Gerdk]

Your landscape shots of Cinque Torre are so dramatic  .........
thanks so much for bringing it all close up to study and enjoy 

These comments from RR saves me the labor of translation my  thoughts -
(in German). Cliff, you are an excellent photographer!

Gerd

[Armin]

Cliff,
bravo - it is always a delight to view your postings!    

[ranunculus]

RAINBOW OVER CORVARA
[/quote]
Where's the close-up of Sue digging frantically at the end, then??
[/quote]

She is still there, Maggi ... I will have to get her a shovel!  

Many thanks Gerd and Armin!

[Paddy Tobin]

Cliff,

Many thanks for the weather information. It seems that July is a great month for the Dolomites. Your third photograph, "Storm approaching...." has the most brilliant light, loved it.

Back to the flowers and the mountains, Mr. Ranunculus.

Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

She'll need more than a shovel if she's up in the gondola Cliff (rainbow 2 photo) but maybe she could pin point the rainbow's end from there which is the main problem, as it always seems to move    

[ranunculus]

Thanks again kind friends ... now on with the show ... more images captured at Cinque Torre ...


POTENTILLA NITIDA RUBRA
PAPAVER RHAETICUM
POLYGALA CALCAREA

[ranunculus]

... And there's more ...

POTENTILLA NITIDA RUBRA
WITH PAEDEROTA BONAROTA
PRETTY PALE GENTIANA VERNA
PULSATILLA ALPINA
PULSATILLA ALPINA ssp. APIIFOLIA

[ranunculus]

Cliff,
Many thanks for the weather information. It seems that July is a great month for the Dolomites. Your third photograph, "Storm approaching...." has the most brilliant light, loved it.

Weather withstanding, Paddy ... I would always choose the last two weeks of June for (in a 'normal' season) optimum flowering ... if lucky, one can catch snow melt gentians by the millions, cypripedium calceolus, orchids (also by the millions) and an array of high level, woodland and meadow alpines that have to be seen to be believed.

Next batch from Cinque Torre ...

PULSATILLA ALPINA ssp. APIIFOLIA
RHODOTHAMNUS CHAMAECISTUS
SILENE ACAULIS
SOLDANELLA ALPINA
SUPERB POTENTILLA NITIDA RUBRA HABITAT ROCK
TINY PULSATILLAS
TROLLIUS EUROPAEUS
VIEW BACK TO THE PEAKS

[ranunculus]

Final batch for today ... we will leave Cinque Torre behind for a day or so and journey into the forest edges ...

THE GORGEOUS LITTLE MONESES UNIFLORA (LESS THAN 5CTMS TALL)
THE EQUALLY DIMINUTIVE ORTHILIA SECUNDA
TINY WOODLAND CAMPANULA
BUTTERFLY
BUTTERFLY
ATMOSPHERIC LANDSCAPE
SKYLINE
HELICOPTER OVER SASSONGHER
VIEW FROM CINQUE TORRE

[Ragged Robin]

Cliff, your Potentilla CU's and rock shots are tinglingly (just a feeling) good! the colour combination of petals and stamens is lovely and its these close up views that I love too of the woodland plants I have never heard of let alone seen:

THE GORGEOUS LITTLE MONESES UNIFLORA (LESS THAN 5CTMS TALL)
THE EQUALLY DIMINUTIVE ORTHILIA SECUNDA

Hope there are more photos to enjoy tonight