TURKEY - OLU DENIZ - MAY 2009

[ranunculus]

A series of images from our recent trip to Olu Deniz on the Turquoise Coast in Western Turkey.  Ostensibly a beach and pool holiday with our two year old grandson Ollie and his proud parents I managed to incorporate a  couple of flower spotting opportunities into the midst of all the splashing and sunbathing.
We joined a bone-shaking safari-truck full of paragliders to the summit of Babadag and watched as they bravely launched themselves into the abyss, then we spent an hour taking in the magnificent scenery and wonderful array of plants at the top before descending (at breakneck speed) through forests full of enticing but unidentifiable (at that speed) plants that now demand a more leisurely return visit at the earliest opportunity.
I managed a couple of early morning strolls out of the town and was amazed at the potential for further floral exploration in this beautiful area.
The sun shone brightly all week and daytime temperatures reached 80 degrees F.
This was our first visit to Turkey and any unspoken doubts were quashed within minutes, the streets were spotless, the locals were unbelievably friendly, the countryside was simply stunning and the hotel and dining were certainly up to the standard of any comparable Mediterranean tourist resort.   
I will begin with some images for Maggi, Lesley and the Pudsey Piglets ... just a sample of the desserts that we had to endure during our seven days ... life is tough for some of us.

[ranunculus]

Just a couple more on the culinary front and the we can explore the area ...

[Maggi Young]

Glad you posted this so near my lunchtime, Cliff; it means I don't have to wait too long before I can assuage the cravings!!

Little Ollie certainly looked to be having a grand time too, which was the object of the exercise, of course.

Just as well he's a bit young as yet to read the labels on the herb stand 

[Tony Willis]

Cliff

glad you enjoyed Turkey it is a wonderful country with delightful people. You were perhaps a little late for Baba Dag. Next time can I suggest an early ride up,taking lunch a lot of water and a leisurly walk down. Most of it is as you say through forest and reasonably cool.

[Ewelina Wajgert]

Cliff, charming photos but I get hungry.

[ranunculus]

Thanks folks ... I have many hundreds of images that could appear here, but I am unable to label any of them.  I didn't have time to identify any of the plants and all the locations are within fifteen miles of our resort; Olu Deniz.  Many of the images may be of introduced species (I will include plants growing in gardens, roadside verges, scrub, parks, etc.) and I make no apologies for including some common plants (figs, passiflora, etc.) and cultivated species.  I am one of those photographers who cannot resist any suitable image and you may have to accept the wheat along with the chaff I'm afraid.  I will try to identify any special locations ... hope you enjoy?

They will probably appear in chronological order, but time will tell ....

[ranunculus]

Butterfly Valley visited on a boat tour that called at six beaches, bays and/or islands

[ranunculus]

Last batch for this evening ...

[Paul T]

Cliff,

Fantastic series of photos.  Some beauties in there, even if a few I have no recognition of.  A1, A4 and A10 stand out to me, plus the wonderful Dracunculus, and the orange "climber" whose name escapes me right now (Tecomaria or something?).

So.... anyone know what A1 and A10 are?  The first reminds me of a 3 dimensional representation of a fractal, but those spikes look nasty!    And A10 has the cutest hair style! 

Thanks for the wonderful pics, Cliff.

[ranunculus]

Many thanks Paul.  The allium has been occupying much of my research of late, there will be some nicer photos of it later in the series, but I have yet to label it to my satisfaction ... any offers please?

Hundreds more images to follow - the next batch starts here ...

[ranunculus]

Next batch ...

[ranunculus]

Next batch from Western Turkey ...

[ranunculus]

Final batch for this evening ...

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Wonderful pictures once again Cliff !
You're giving me the "holliday feeling"...
I can think of one or two places you've pictured where I could spend a few idle hours... 

[ranunculus]

Many thanks once again, Luc ...

Next couple of batches from Olu Deniz.  We visit the top of Baba Dag during this visit ...