Αρχεία Ημερολογίου για Μάρτιος 2018

Μάρτιος 02, 2018

40 Saints III - Fenced In

As the first part of our walk today takes us along the road from where we finished last week I thought we'd make an early start of it to see if there are any hares or badgers making use of the human highways at this time in the morning. No sign of any yet but we do have some wildlife that I suggested that we look out for in the Late Winter Almanack. Firstly the Pine Processionary Caterpillars, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, are up and about (although these are described as nocturnal in many of the texts I've often found them reluctant to go back to bed in the mornings) and secondly, as I was just bending down to photograph this Storksbill, a little movement in the undergrowth revealed a beautiful Silver Y moth, Autographa gamma, which is one of the migratory moths I mentioned. The little silver markings in the middle of his wings give him both his English name (being shaped like the letter Y) and his scientific name (being shaped like the Greek gamma).

http://cretenature.blogspot.gr/2018/02/40-saints-iii-fenced-in.html

Posted on Μάρτιος 02, 2018 0705 ΠΜ by stevedaniels stevedaniels | 6 παρατηρήσεις | 0σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

Μάρτιος 09, 2018

The Orchid Hills

The rain has been; the sun is shining and orchids are appearing all over the Kritiweb. I have a confession to make: I am not a great fan of orchids (but I'm sure we'll find some later on for those of you who are). Meanwhile, we have some serious climbing to do today to get onto that rocky ridge up there so let's have a look at some of the other flowers that are dotted around the hills. The tall white ones that our friend the Tropinota beetle is pollinating are Asphodels and the exquisite little purple and gold blooms are a subspecies of dwarf Algerian Iris that is endemic to Crete and Karpathos. Not everything is in flower yet but this rock lettuce (another Cretan endemic which will have spectacular 80cm blooms in April) is just ripe for picking a few salad leaves. Finally, these little clusters of golden sunshine are Gageas, one of seven species that we have here on Crete.

http://cretenature.blogspot.gr/2018/03/the-orchid-hills.html

Posted on Μάρτιος 09, 2018 0843 ΠΜ by stevedaniels stevedaniels | 12 παρατηρήσεις | 0σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο

Μάρτιος 16, 2018

The Far Side

Chamomile tea anyone? Back down here in the olive groves, below the high peaks, the space between the trees is awash with white, scented chamomile interspersed with wood sorrel; a testament to the lack of herbicides and pesticides used in these parts. This is not the species that is used in the commercial production of chamomile tea but it is closely related and just as efficacious as a pleasant, restful beverage. Just steep 3-4 tablespoons of flower heads in a mug full of boiling water for 5 minutes and decant into a second mug.

http://cretenature.blogspot.gr/2018/03/the-far-side.html

Posted on Μάρτιος 16, 2018 1221 ΜΜ by stevedaniels stevedaniels | 7 παρατηρήσεις | 0σχόλια | Αφήστε ένα σχόλιο