Sunrise, Church on the Cliffs and Bee Orchids, Alonissos, Greece

Our fourth day in Alonissos proved the best weather of the trip - sunny with virtually no wind so around 33 degrees which delighted the bugs (to follow). The sunrise was also the only really colourful one from the hotel balcony. Our morning visit was to Ag. Anargiri, a small church set in pinewoods on the cliffs. I was delighted to find some bee orchids - the closest I can find for images on the web is Heldreich's Bee Orchid (Ophrys heldreichii). Close ups of  Blackstonia perfoliata and Centuary species. Finally, a well-camouflaged lizard.

36 Degrees in Alonnisos, Greece and Overcast

The day started with a soft dawn leading to a very hot day in this Greek Island on the 13th May. We spent the morning on the old Donkey Path that leads from the Old Town (damaged in an earthquake in the 1960s) to the new port and town. Insect images to follow as this was our main focus. We then went to Steni Vala, a beautiful bay for lunch - you can see how crowded it is with our car the only one parked. Following this we attempted to find the lake marked on the map but after a number of 'off-road' excursions we ended up at Geraka Bay - definitely the end of the road. A few scenic shots and also the two Lizards seen - one the common Wall Lizard but not sure of other found in the pine woods

 

Cambridgeshire Orchids

 The Common Spotted, Fragant and Lizard Orchids are at their best in Newmarket area at the moment. The Lizard orchid is a very variable species as seen from these examples and is not at all easy to depict successfully.

Powerstock reptiles etc

 Another session at Powerstock Common produced some great reptiles- Common Lizards including black form (juvenile) and a Slow worm (a legless lizard not a snake). The Scorpion Fly wanted to get in on the act.