Beautiful plants in the Dolomites

[Spiegel]

We arrived June 28th and left July 12th.   There had been a big snowstorm in the alpine areas two weeks beforew we arrived so there was still snow in places and the season was quite early.  Although we missed many plants in full bloom such as Pyhsoplexis comosa we made up for it by seeing colonies of Ranunculus seguieri in full glorious bloom.  I'll post pictures in batches but not always in any logical order, sorry.

[Spiegel]

# 3.  An "owl tree" made by a rifugio owner with a sense of humor
#1.  Soldanella alpina
Other unidentified pictures were Erica carnea and Polygala chamaebuxus

[IMYoung]

Anne, I'm sure I'm not the only person not at all concerned about whether your posting are in any logical order.... I'm just pleased to be able to enjoy them!

[RickR]

Every flower on that pulsatilla has 7-8 petals!

Beautiful pics, Ann, all of them.

P.S. How would we tell if they are "illogically ordered" anyway?  The photos are a treat no matter what!

[Spiegel]

Every flower on that pulsatilla has 7-8 petals!

Beautiful pics, Ann, all of them.

P.S. How would we tell if they are "illogically ordered" anyway?  The photos are a treat no matter what!
[/quote  Rick, I planned to put them on according to location  and the day's hike - but you're right, no one else would know that.  Glad you enjoyed the first batch.

[Lori S.]

It's lovely to see the different plants, and some that are familiar - hope there are more installments to come!  Did you do the trip as a tour, or were the hiking parts self-directed, so to speak?

[Spiegel]

More coming, Lori.  No tour, we are definitely self-directed.  We have been going for years and some of the plants are like old friends.  The owner of our hotel is an accomplished photographer and interested in plants.  Whenever I haven't been able to find a particular plant he has always been able to give trail ideas.   

[Booker]

Beautiful images, Anne! 
Having hiked with Anne and Joe in the Dolomites last year we can confirm that they are seasoned (and very fit) travelers to these magnificent mountains. We enjoyed some quality high alpine time with them in 2009 and hope to repeat the experience in future years. In fact we only missed them this year by a few days and (if permitted - when Anne has finished her entire posting), I will add images taken during the subsequent two weeks featuring, I suspect, an entirely different range of plants and scenery.
We have been leading wildflower walks in these incredible peaks for at least eight of the past eleven years and it is wonderful to see such quality images of some of our favorite plants - just wait until you glimpse Ranunculus seguieri!!! 

[Spiegel]

Hi Cliff.  Sorry we didn't overlap this year because we enjoyed our alpine day with you and Sue so much last year. Great to be with people who understand that even a thread of a trail must be followed if there's a great plant at the end of it.  Not to mention that since that day Joe has become more understanding about the need to take many, many pictures of the same plant!!   Can't wait to see what you saw the two weeks following our stay.

[Spiegel]

An ordinary day in the Dolomites (meaning great plants and great vistas).

[Spiegel]

Part 2 - Same day.

[McDonough]

Anne, thanks for supplying so many OMG-moments; seeing fine photos of spectacular plants that take one's breath away, like Thlaspi rotundifolia, Saxifraga caesia, and Soldanella minima.  Your photos are of high quality, may I ask what camera do you use? 

[Booker]

Just four images from me to introduce you all to the glorious situation of Corvara - the town in the Dolomites that attracts both Anne and I to return to these beautiful mountains year after year. The formidable massif of Sassongher dominates the town and provides a spectacular backdrop to every activity.

[Spiegel]

Anne, thanks for supplying so many OMG-moments; seeing fine photos of spectacular plants that take one's breath away, like Thlaspi rotundifolia, Saxifraga caesia, and Soldanella minima.  Your photos are of high quality, may I ask what camera do you use? 

/Hi Mark, we use a Sony Cyber Shot, DSC H10 with a 10X Zoom.  I can use it with no problem which means that it's really user-friendly.  Alan Bradshaw of Alplains Seed Catalog told me about it when I admired his photos.  We've really liked it a lot. Joe takes better pictures (more patience).  Incidentally, many thanks for the compliment which I'll share with Joe who takes 90% of the pictures.

[Spiegel]

Just four images from me to introduce you all to the glorious situation of Corvara - the town in the Dolomites that attracts both Anne and I to return to these beautiful mountains year after year. The formidable massif of Sassongher dominates the town and provides a spectacular backdrop to every activity.

Beautiful shots, Cliff.  It makes me homesick for Corvara.