Crocus chrysanthus (snow crocus)

Mt. Chortiatis, Macedonia, February 25, 2012

On a sunny Saturday of February we decided with my friend Yannis V. to walk from the village Chortiatis to the mountain shelter, a distance of 2.5 - 3 hours. The mount kept in some places much of the snow fallen in previews weeks. The Crocus bloomed just next to the snow cape. On the thrid and fourth pictures you may observe a rare specimen with 8, instead of usual 6, petals. 

Lunaria annua

 

Corfu, Mars 13, 2012

Lunaria annua is commonly known as "Silver dollar" or "Chinese money" because of the shape and colour of its seeds. It is also known as "Corfu blue" because it is widespread on the island of Corfu, in the Ionian Sea. The pictures above are taken precisely in Corfu (Kerkyra), in a warm spring afternoon, during a visit to the island with my colleague and friend Yorgos T.

We both had to give lectures in a master class of History and Digital resources and while Yorgos was teaching and I was waiting my turn, I used the opportunity to walk around the so-called New Fortress of the city. I have been pleasantly surprised by the variety and rarity of the wild flowers I encountered, among which the Lunaria here above.

Erysimum cheiri (syn. Cheiranthus cheiri, commonly Aegaean wallflower)

Corfu, Mars 13, 2012

On the slopes of the new fortress.

Vanessa atalanta (red admiral)

Philopappos Hill, Athens, January 22, 2012

Vanessa atalanta or red admiral is a beautiful butterfly common in Europe and North America. It features in Vladimir Nabokov's novel "Pale Fire".

Erodium moschatum

Peplos, Thrace, Mars 28, 2012

Areopagus hill, Athens, January 22, 2012

Pnyx hill, Athens, Mars 3, 2012