The Dolomites

[Lvandelft]

I cannot any more words than above said already.I agree mostley with Luc.
I enclose one for both of us!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks Luit !! 

[ranunculus]

Oh Mrs Clement....the ignominy!!!

ESPECIALLY as I so recently stated that I must check all future postings after the geranium error!!

Parnassia indeed?   In my defence (and it shouldn't save me from the gallows or banishment to the bedding plant forum), I did request (at the beginning of the entire posting) that forum members should be so kind as to ignore the titles, as they were given to the images a long, long time ago in the hubbub of downloading and filing.  (I know, it IS a very lame excuse).

So, the member formally known as Ranunculus (henceforth to be known as Petunia) thanks you all for your very kind words (and gifs) and retires to his garret where the sackcloth and ashes are being prepared....

...but before I climb the spiral stairs I must answer Kathrine's question regarding the location of the poppy shot.... 

The image was captured on the scree to the right of the path about two thirds along the Vallunga....the two images should assist to pinpoint the general area.  If you were to face backwards from the viewpoint of the first image and walk to the main scree area to your right....lie down horizontally on extremely sharp rocks, screw up your eyes against the sun reflecting back from the pure white scree and calmly ignore the taunts of your fellow hikers then you might just see the second image....?

Lead the way Rapunzel.....

[Diane Clement]

Lead the way Rapunzel.....

Rapunzel indeed, you should be so lucky  ...

Your humble apologies are accepted, but only in exchange for at least another excellent 8415 pictures of beautiful flowers and scenery. 

[Katherine J]

Thanks Cliff!
I asked only because it is very interesting that mountain (like many others too) in the background of the poppies.

and calmly ignore the taunts of your fellow hikers

Well, there were no taunts, but our fellow hikers watched us with an indulgent smile...

[Casalima]

I am very grateful to Cliff and Kathrine for reminding me of a very memorable holiday in the Dolomites. However, as I was about six years old at the time, I was more interested in climbing trees and up and down hillsides than studying plants! I certainly remember walking across scree, but I missed out on all the wonderful flowers.
It's time I went back!

Scanned photos of another very similar mountain and a little girl up a tree 

Chloë

[Katherine J]

Hi Chloe,
that tree is rather bald! Was it desiccated or early spring (you are not clothed as for winter)?

[ranunculus]

They were taken about seven years ago then Chloe?   

[Anthony Darby]

What a fatastic trip through the Dolomites Cliff . The massed blooms in pic 33 of Gallery 10 look like the Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum)? What a fabulous side view of Cypripedium calceolus, showing the translucent windows at the back of the 'slipper'.

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Anthony,
Several more galleries to follow.....

[ranunculus]

Oh, it's quiet on the Forum tonight.....let's go for Gallery Twelve....
 1 Soldanella bloom.jpg
 2 Posterized scene.jpg
 3 Aster alpinus.jpg
 4 Campanula and mites.jpg
 5 Clematis alpina scene 2.jpg
 6 Gentiana close.jpg
 7 Primula very close.jpg
 8 Veratrum.jpg
 9 Excellent Eritrichium.jpg
 10 Plant duo.jpg

[Paddy Tobin]

Yes, Cliff, I'm waiting...impatiently!

Loved the galleries, great selection of photos and I recognise many of the locations from a visit to the area a few years back.

Now, get posting, can't wait!

Paddy

[Paddy Tobin]

You beat me by a second or two - psychic?

Paddy

[Paddy Tobin]

Cliff,

Re photograph 4 above, 'Campanula and mites', were these Dolomites?

Good night,

Paddy

[ranunculus]

Set Two of Gallery Twelve....
 11 Campanula close.jpg
 12 Campitello.jpg
 13 Sunlit orchids.jpg
 14 Eritrichium vista.jpg
 15 King of the Alps.jpg
 16 View from Pedraces.jpg
 17 Super Ranunculus seguieri.jpg
 18 Daphne mat.jpg
 19 Soldanella duo.jpg
 20 Papaver rhaeticum.jpg