Wildschonau, Austria

[Mick McLoughlin]

Returned back from first visit to the alps at the weekend. In the Kitzbuhel area of Austria.
As a fairly newcomer to alpines and an alps virgin I'll leave most of the identification to you people, so feel free to chip in at any time.
Weather was bright and sunny for first three days so struggled with the light levels at first, my excuse for poor photos .
First two general views looking over Niederau, where we stayed, don't understand the fascination of jumping off a mountain though.
 Next a couple of flowers seen at the top of the Markbachjoch ski lift.

[Mick McLoughlin]

A few more from the top of the Markbachjoch.
First is this what an outcrop rock is supposed to look like in my rockery?
2. Sedum species
3.
4. Gentian sp.
5. Gentian close up
6. Campanula
7. Centaurea?
8. Carlina acualis
9. Fern
10. Silene sp?

[ranunculus]

Welcome back Mick...hope you enjoyed your initial alpine trip....the first of many I hope.
Lovely shots. You asked for assistance with identifications, I know that Franz will give you more precise names for many of 'his' Austrian plants, but to help you get started.....from the first batch you have photographed a cardamine, a potentilla, a euphrasia and a veronica.

Your sedum is a little indistinct, mixed in as it is with mosses and selaginellas, the yellow flower really needs a clearer shot of the foliage but I would suggest Leontodon autumnalis, Gentiana asclepiadea, Campanula rotundifolia and the Silene is S. vulgaris.

Please keep posting.

[Andrew]

... don't understand the fascination of jumping off a mountain though.

How about going down the mountain with plank's of wood on your feet, which was my first experience of Kitzbuhel .

[Mick McLoughlin]

Second day we decided to try the other end of the valley. Took a ride on the local transport, better than the bus and a sightseeing commentary as well.
Went up the ski lift at Auffach to 2,700 ft I believe.
There didn't seem to be as many different plants here, or maybe the fresh air was making us tired.
Not sure of any of these or if they're good enough for ID.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Just a few more for today.
First hows this for a full size crevice garden (no jokes about the legs please).
All the houses had a good pile of logs outside.
3. Thistle
6. Dianthus sp.
7. Home for the week Hotel Vicky

[Maggi Young]

Looks like you were pretty lucky with the weather, Mick, it seems lovely.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Wait till we get to Wednesday Maggi. But yes we had good weather overall and a great time.

[hadacekf]

Mick,
I think you enjoyed the plants, people and mountain. Lovely shots
Cliff, already recognized many plants.

    auff2   geranium  - robertianum
4. Gentian sp.    -  G. asclepidea
5. Gentian close up  - G. asclepidea
6. Campanula    -   C. rotundifolia
    Silene sp - s. vulgaris ssp. Vulgaris
    Mar2  -   Ranunculus sp. 
    mar3  -   Euphrasia alpina
    mar4  -   Veronica sp.

[David Nicholson]

Good pair of Yorkie legs there Mick. Keep the pictures flowing I'm enjoying them.

 My one and only visit to Austria was in 1962 when I was of the age to consider that the important things in life were beer, food and girls (in that order) and mountains and flowers scarcely considerable at all. Ah-the follies of youth

You sound like you enjoyed the trip.

[ranunculus]

May I ask you to most kindly have another look at Mar2 please Franz?
I would still suggest potentilla rather than ranunculus, but would accept your judgement as you are much more familiar with the area. I could not attribute it to any ranunculus that I am familiar with from the Alps. The nearest would be Ranunculus montanus but it certainly isn't that.

[hadacekf]

Cliff,
Thank you. Sorry, I did not look exactly. mar2 is Potentilla erecta.

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Franz,
It just shows how difficult it can be for newcomers to the mountains (like Mick on his first trip to the Alps), to positively identify such similar looking plants. We all learn so much and promptly forget even more. 

[Mick McLoughlin]

Thanks for the responses so far everyone
Cliff
It just shows how difficult it can be for newcomers to the mountains (like Mick on his first trip to the Alps),
This was the reason I didn't attempt positive IDs. Is there some advice on books or sources for a novice to use, to give them confidence?

David,
Good pair of Yorkie legs there Mick
The legs happen to be from Nottingham David. Just been weathered in yorkshire for 30 years. Came as a missionary to educate northern hill tribes and stayed.

Thanks again for the IDs Cliff and Franz. Will try an post some more tonight, if I can prise daughter off MSN.

                                    Regards,
                                          Mick

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great pics Mick - we can never have enough of those !

Do have a word to your daughter so that we can see more soon

Thanks