Kleewiese and Fischau Mountains 25.4.2018
Although it is still April, I have seen on Facebook pictures of orchids. So I go to look for them with Herwig Gießwein to the grassland called "Kleewiese" near Gasteil.
View from the Kleewiese to the Rosalia/Bucklige Welt. The grass doesnt look so good from afar ...
... but first exemplars of the Elder flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina) - this one in yellow.
Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna) in abundance.
A vinaceous exemplar of Elder flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)
I did not believe that I found this Fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera) that early in the year.
Elder flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina) in yellow and in pink.
Kleewiese.
Elder flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)
Elder flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)
Elder flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina)
Inside thge forest on the walk back: Wood sorrel (Oxalis).
Back in Gasteil.
Full flower of the apple trees ...
... and the dandelions.
On the drive back: flowering oilseed rape near St. Egyden ...
... with the Schneeberg.
As it still is 10:30 a.m., a short walk in the Fischau mountains is possible - to the road "über den Kürassier" between Bad Fischau and Dreistetten.
I walk the forest road heading for the disused Finkenhaus. Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon )
On a meadow besides the road Green winged orchids (Orchis morio) in different colour variants.
Oaks in flower.
Green winged orchid (Orchis morio)
Green winged orchid (Orchis morio)
Common bugle (Ajuga reptans)
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) in abundance inside the forest ...
... as well as Spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum)
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), in between the large leaves of Black false helleborine (Veratrum nigrum). I´ll try to remember coming back in July when it flowers.
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)
Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)
Lucy posing between Greater Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea)
After walking for a while through flat forest of the plateau, all of a sudden the scenery changes: I stand in front of a steep escarpent with black pines.
Between the pines there is a nice view to Dreistetten and Hohe Wand.
I cannot identify this plant.
Another rocky utcrop with a nice view to the Hohe Wand.
First meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) o the sunny southern slope that I now walk back to the main road. Pannonic vegetation is growing here.
Germander speedweell (Veronica chamaedrys subsp. vindobonensis)
Wallflower (Erysimum sylvestre)
View to Hohe Wand.
Austrian Black salsify (Scorzonera austriaca)
Rauhblatt - Löwenzahn.