Botanizing Turkey - It was just me and my fantastic guide Yasemin of Runner Tourism botanizing the mountains nearby Antalya. For one glorious week we enjoyed exotic botany, groveled along mountain hillsides playing photographer, and we (rather she) even discovered a new variety of Crocus.

From top left column: Crocus (new subspecies yet to be named); Fritillaria acmopetala subsp. wendelboi; Ophrys oestrifera (aka bee orchid); (middle column) Pericallis aurita; Paeonia mascula subsp. mascula (aka Balkan peony); Orange-tip Aurora butterfly; (right column) Tulipa agenenis; Purple gentian.

Centaurea montana, aka Mountain Bluet.

Crocus abantensis

Crocus abantensis

Scilla bifolia, aka Alpine Squill.

Gagea graeca, aka Greek Lloydia.

Purple Aster

Roman Theatre of Aspendos - Aspendos is known for being the best-preserved theatre of antiquity. With a diameter of 96 metres (315 ft), the theatre provides seating for 7,000. The theatre was built in 155 AD by the Greek architect Zenon, a native of the city. [source Wikipedia]

The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival offers an annual season of productions in the theatre during the spring and early summer.

Himantoglossum comperianum, aka Komper's Orchid.

Anacamptis pyramidalis, a pyramidal orchid.

Anacamptis morio, subsp. caucasica

Purple Gentian

Gladiolus illyricus, aka Wild Gladiolus.

Fritillaria pinardil

Gagea fibrosa, aka Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem.

Tulipa agenensis

Fritillaria acmopetala subsp. wendelboi

Globulaia trichosantha, aka Blue Globe Daisy.

Oxalis pes-caprae, aka Buttercup Oxalis.

Gündogmus Mountains - A field of yellow with a backdrop of snowy mountains at 2000 meters (6500 feet) altitude.

Crocus - An exciting find, a new crocus with a coloration of Naples yellow and imperial blue.

Crocus - A new varity of Crocus with a coloration of Naples yellow and imperial blue. And this specimen has 7 tepals rather than the usual 6.

Pericallis aurita

Ophrys oestrifera, aka Bee Orchid.

Ophrys oestrifera, aka Bee Orchid.

Arum dioscoridis

Asphodeline taurica, aka White King's Spear.

Geranium

Hittite Spring Sanctury of Efatum Pinar is located nearby Lake Beyşehir [Google map of photo locale], and is believed to be more than 3000 years old.

Muse of the Hittite Spring Sanctuary.

Red Poppy

Village of Yesildag - A wonderful village with old world charm and friendly residents. While there we were invited into a family's home for tea. Very nice! [Google map of village locale]

Motorcross at Yesildag

Long Boats on Lake Beyşehir

Lake Beyşehir Wetland

Astragalus stereocalyx

Orange-tip Aurora Butterfly

Pınargözü Günibirlik - A picnic area with a rushing creek and a fine bridge.

Paeonia mascula subsp. mascula, aka Balkan Peony.

High Meadow near Yukarıgökdere at 1200 meters (4000 feet).

Where Time Stands Still near the highlands of Yukarıgökdere.

Muscari armeniacum, aka Grape Hyacinth.

Turkish Delight - A prodigious bouquet of flowers alongside the road near the village of Büyükhacılar, and a fine place to immerse oneself in Nature's beauty. Just imagine a landscape centuries past with common place wild fields of these flowers, but rather today we have a cultivated lifestyle.

Opium Poppy - During my week of botany, I viewed two small fields of opium poppies. I was told they are grown for medical use. And yes, it is a handsome flower.

Elegance grows given the opportunity. This bouquet was at Sagalassos, an archaeological site near Antalya.