John Salmon, archaeologist and regular visitor to Greece, sent us some of his images. We were able to help him identify the bee orchids he came across by putting him in touch with Mike Taylor. You can see some of John’s lovely images below. Send us yours!
Orchid [Limodorum abortivum] photographed on the path to the ancient site at Emborios. This interesting member of the orchid family produces very little chlorophyll (the green pigment that plants use in photosynthesis) and almost no leaves, as, in common with a number of other orchids, it employs a different strategy for obtaining the nutrients it needs. It has developed a symbiotic relationship with a particular group of fungi (of the Russula genus) and makes use of the other organism’s ability to break down decaying matter, taking up some of the products of this process and using them as its own source of energy. The fungus too derives benefits from the relationship.
One of the four species of wild tulip that flower briefly but dramatically for a couple of weeks in spring, this is Tulipa agenensis.
Bee orchid [Ophrys reinholdii]. One of the many different kinds of bee orchid found on the islands.
The two-tailed pasha [Charaxes jasius] is one of the largest butterflies in southern Europe. Males defend a territory fiercely… occasionally even attempting to drive away birds.
Eastern festoon [Zerynthia ceriysi] John photographed this individual on a hilltop just outside the main town of Chios. Festoons can be seen from March through to July.
![Orchid [Limodorum abortivum] – photo: John Salmon](../images/encounters/John_Salmon_Limodorum_abortivum.jpg "Orchid [Limodorum abortivum] – photo: John Salmon")
![Wild tulip [Tulipa agenensis] – photo: John Salmon](../images/encounters/John_Salmon_Tulipa_agenensis.jpg "Wild tulip [Tulipa agenensis] – photo: John Salmon")
![Orchid [Ophrys reinholdii] – photo: John Salmon](../images/encounters/John_Salmon_Ophrys_reinholdii.jpg "Orchid [Ophrys reinholdii] – photo: John Salmon")
![Two-tailed pasha [Charaxes jasius] – photo: John Salmon](../images/encounters/John_Salmon_Two_tailed_pasha.jpg "Two-tailed pasha [Charaxes jasius] – photo: John Salmon")
![Eastern festoon [Zerynthia ceriysi] – photo: John Salmon](../images/encounters/John_Salmon_Eastern_Festoon_Zerynthia_cerisyi.jpg "Eastern festoon [Zerynthia ceriysi] – photo: John Salmon")