My tour of Greece was dedicated to Ancient Greece. Watching nature was not a high priority, but I managed to see some interesting places. Here are some nature pictures.
Pictures of birds in Greece and other nature pages are separate:
Orchard in bloom near Megaplatanos in northern Greece, with the Voras Mountains in the background. (1289k) Snow covered Mount Olympus, seat of the Ancient Greek Gods. (617k) Gorge on Mount Olympus. (1157k) Rainbow over Mount Parnassus. (514k) Snow covered Pindos Mountains. (1131k) Snow covered Pindos Mountains. (818k) View over Lake Pamvotis with the Pindos Mountains behind. (1088k) Pindos Mountains. (1239k) Vikos Gorge. (1.6M) Vikos Gorge. (833k) Vikos Gorge near Monodendri. (728k) Vikos Gorge near Monodendri. (1419k) Vikos Gorge near Monodendri. (1289k) Vikos Gorge near Monodendri. (927k) Vouraikos Gorge. (1.7M) Vouraikos Gorge. (1.7M) Vouraikos Gorge. (1297k) Voidomatis River near Klidonia. (1.8M) Venetikos River. (932k) Venetikos River. (1328k) Mountain creek on Mount Pelion. (1274k) Snow on Mount Pelion. Notice how the snow has melted around the trees from the warmth of the trees. (1060k) Rock formation in the Zagori region. (1056k) Rock formation on the Voidomatis River. (1.8M) Rock formation on the Voidomatis River. (1.7M) Stone Forest near Monodendri. (1.6M) Stone Forest. (1.8M) Stone Forest. (1.6M)
The Corycian Cave (Greek: Κωρύκιον ἄντρον, romanized: Kōrykion antron) is located in central Greece on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus, in Parnassus National Park, which is situated north of Delphi. The Corycian Cave has been a sacred space since the Neolithic era, and its name comes from the mythological nature spirits the Corycian nymphs, which were depicted as looking like beautiful maidens and were said to inhabit the cave. More specifically it is named after the nymph Corycia; however, its name etymologically derives from korykos, "knapsack". A modern name for the cave in some references is Sarantavli, meaning "forty rooms" due to the fact that the cave has many caverns that go deep into Mt. Parnassus. The Corycian Cave was used primarily as a place of worship for the Pan, the god of the wild, as well as the Corycian nymphs, Zeus, and is also thought to be the ritual home of Dionysus. Also in mythology, Zeus was imprisoned in the Corycian Cave by the monster Typhon.
Entrance to the Corycian Cave. (1.7M) Interior of the Corycian Cave. (925k) Looking out from inside the cave. (666k)
Diros Caves
Large cavern with speleothemes. (882k) Large cavern with speleothemes. (830k) Cavern with lots of stalactites and stalagmites. (1000k) Cavern with lots of stalactites and stalagmites. (1018k) Cavern with lots of stalactites (including straw stalactites) and stalagmites. (1017k) Closer view of the speleotheme formation. (1032k) Lots of speleothemes with a column in the center. (1186k) Lots of speleothemes with a thin column in the center. (1068k) A jumble of deposits. (1241k) Various types of speleothemes. (984k) Narrow passage with columns. (968k) A couple of columns (connected stalactite/stalagmite formations). (1102k) Thick column. (869k) Large flow stone formation. (1047k) Draperies (sheet-like speleothemes). (923k) Draperies. (654k)
Edessa Waterfall and Cave
Edessa waterfall. (1434k) Closer view of the falling water. (934k) Cave behind the waterfall. It is a rare primary cave that formed together with the rock at the same time. (996k) Cave behind the waterfall. (901k) Cave behind the waterfall. (773k) Cave behind the waterfall. (748k)
Flora in Greece
Lichen. (1382k) Common Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria parietina, german: Gewöhnliche Gelbflechte, french: Parmélie des murailles). (1129k) Tree full of Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri, german: Eichenmoos, french: Mousse de chêne). (923k) Close-up of the Oakmoss (Evernia prunastri, german: Eichenmoos, french: Mousse de chêne). (1.7M) Tree full of mistletoes. (1.6M) Fir Mistletoe (Viscum album abietis, german: Weißbeerige Mistel, french: Gui). (1443k) Close-up of a Fir Mistletoe (Viscum album abietis, german: Weißbeerige Mistel, french: Gui). (1011k) Many areas in the south of the Mani Peninsula were covered with yellow flowering bushes. It was quite impressive. (1360k) Giant Fennel (Ferula communis, german: Riesenfenchel, french: Férule commune). (1489k) Field with wildflowers. (1.9M) Flowers. (1136k) Flowers. (1165k) Flower. (840k) Flower. (593k) Flower. (755k) Flowers. (1499k) Flowers. (914k) Poppies. (1.7M) Flowers. (1.5M) Flowers. (1379k) Flower. (1450k) Thistle. (647k) Flower. (854k) Flowers. (1223k) Flower. (1479k) Branched Asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus, german: Ästiger Affodill, french: Asphodèle ramifié). (1.9M) Close-up of the flowers of Branched Asphodel (Asphodelus ramosus, german: Ästiger Affodill, french: Asphodèle ramifié). (643k) Annual Honesty (Lunaria annua, german: Einjähriges Silberblatt, french: Lunaire annuelle). (1172k) White Mignonette (Reseda alba, german: Weißer Wau, french: Réséda blanc). (1391k) Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias, german: Palisaden-Wolfsmilch, french: Euphorbe characias). (1.6M) Greek Anemone (Anemonoides blanda). (1217k) Peacock Anemone (Anemone pavonina, german: Pfauen-Anemone). (1.6M) Peacock Anemone (Anemone pavonina, german: Pfauen-Anemone). (1.6M) Peacock Anemone (Anemone pavonina, german: Pfauen-Anemone). (896k) Peacock Anemone (Anemone pavonina, german: Pfauen-Anemone). (1115k) Peacock Anemone (Anemone pavonina, german: Pfauen-Anemone). (1110k) Peacock Anemone (Anemone pavonina, german: Pfauen-Anemone). (1259k) Common Poppies (Papaver rhoeas, german: Klatschmohn, french: Coquelicot). (1281k) Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas, german: Klatschmohn, french: Coquelicot). (892k) Violet Honeywort (Cerinthe retorta). (661k) Dandelion (Taraxacum sp., german: Löwenzahn). (1486k) Mullein (Verbascum undulatum). (1352k) Hoary Rock-rose (Cistus creticus, german: Kretische Zistrose, french: Ciste de Crète). (700k) Iris. (1401k) Close-up of the iris. (539k) Rose bush. (1060k) Close-up of one of the roses. (742k) Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis, german: Echter Lorbeer, french: Laurier vrai). (1.8M) Agaves. (1.7M) Odd shaped tree. (1.8M) Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum, german: Gewöhnlicher Judasbaum, french: Arbre de Judée). These trees were everywhere. (1342k) Mediterranean Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens, german: Mittelmeer-Zypresse, french: Cyprès commun). (1.7M) Olive Tree (Olea europaea, german: Olivenbaum, french: Olivier) and Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias, german: Palisaden-Wolfsmilch, french: Euphorbe characias). (1.7M) Tree. (1.8M) Huge Oriental Plane Tree (Platanus orientalis, german: Morgenländische Platane, french: Platane d'Orient). (1017k)
Fauna in Greece
Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera, german: Westliche Honigbiene, french: Mouche à miel). (1314k) European Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus, german: Gemeine Feuerwanze, french: Gendarme). (670k) White Garden Snail (Theba pisana, german: Mittelmeer-Sandschnecke, french: Escargot blanc). (426k) Balkan Frog (Pelophylax kurtmuelleri, german: Balkan-Wasserfrosch, french: Grenouille verte des Balkans). (779k) Gecko. (750k) Peloponnese Wall Lizard (Podarcis peloponnesiacus, german: Peloponnes-Mauereidechse). (1360k) Greek Rock Lizard (Hellenolacerta graeca, german: Griechische Spitzkopfeidechse). (925k)
This page contains 115 pictures with 26 species
Here are the links to the other main pages on Greece:
Dr. Günther Eichhorn Travel Website
Soaring website
