Friday 15 April 2016

Swathes of Narcissus

Narcissus poeticus ssp. radiiflorus, Slovenian Karst, 15th April 2016. Swathes of this attractive wildflower are now in full swing on Karst meadows and grasslands. Today I found a particularly large and photogenic meadow covered with them. Although in Slovenia they can be very numerous in some places, they are strictly protected.
Orchis morio, Slovenian Karst, 15th April 2016. At the start of its bloom - the commonest orchid on dry karstic meadows. Today I also found the first flower sprout of Neotinea tridentata, another common species.
Orchis morio & Globularia punctata, Slovenian Karst, 15th April 2016. The dry karstic meadows are now green with fresh grass and new spring flowers are sprouting en masse.
Globularia punctata with mount Nanos in the back, Slovenian Karst, 15th April 2016.
Zerynthia polyxena, Slovenian Karst, 15th April 2016. Scarce and localised butterfly species, emerging in late March and April (the best months to see it). The caterpillars feed on Aristolochia species; especially A. rotunda & A. clematitis, but on the Karst also A. lutea.