What a gorgeous gorge! We really would have liked to have walked the whole length; sadly not. Arriving in the carpark gave me the opportunity to photograph one of the many miniature church-like structures, that we had seen along the roadsides and in people's gardens. Known as Kandylakia, they are deeply rooted in Greek Orthodox culture and can be memorials, offerings of gratitude or devotional spaces. We then headed off along a paved path up the gorge, where we had good views of Black Woodpecker and Golden Oriole, as well as Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush.....The plants and butterflies were good too.
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| A Kandylakia |
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| Pollen tideline on a puddle. |
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| Along the gorge. |
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| Nice path! |
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| A Broomrape sp. |
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| Mullein. |
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Golden Drops, Steptorhamphus tuberosus (native to Bulgaria), Wild Asparagus and a white Cistus.
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| Eastern Festoon. |
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| Southern Comma. |
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| Haberlea rhodopensis, a protected endemic. |
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| Haberlea rhodopensis, known as a resurrection plant and locally as Orpheus flower is found clinging to north-facing, damp and mossy rock faces. It is famous for surviving extreme desiccation for years and then 'resurrecting' itself completely within hours of watering. Apparently it can survive for at least three years, dried in a herbarium. It's known locally as the Orpheus flower as legend says it sprouted from the tears of the mythical singer Orpheus. The divided leaves are of a Spleenwort sp. |
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