Orchids, a world of colors in the Aezkoa valley

The orchids are, and have always been very striking plants (in the form of flowers and their color), not only for insects,  also for humans too.

 Orchis purpurea

 While in Europe, its length is less than in the tropics, have always had great appeal and what has been discovered later about them, probably caused greater fascination.
His name is related to the tubers with roots as a form it represents. Theophrastus was who named them "Orchis" by the resemblance to the testicles of men. The first orchid  known is dated 65 million years ago, then at the time of the dinosaurs existed orchid species.


The research works of Darwin, on the reproductive mechanism of plants, especially in the study of orchids,  discovered  us the relationship between pollinating insects and orchids: as the result of this bestiality, created flowers are attractive products, means of decoy and also viscous and sticky pollen.
Several species began to have rewards such as food (nectar and oils) and decoy (mimic the shape and smell of female bees, wasps or flies). So some species were eventually specializing in one pollinator to ensure a more efficient pollen transfer.
This is why so extremely varied forms of orchid flowers that attract bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths and other parts of the world including birds, bats and frogs.

 Orchis scolopax

The Aezkoa Valley(Navarre) provides a variety of orchids, its intricate relief allows  to create numerous microclimates within this transition from Pyrenean to Atlantic climate. We have many forests within the valley but also numerous grassland or "larreak" some at your disposal N and others in a position S. Not all bloom at the same time, so we have made ​​the list based on their flowering.
   In late May and early June several species begin to bloom Cephalantera genus like and some Orchis.

 Cephalantera longifolia

    Orchis provincialis

  Then it's time, and in the middle in July of Platanthera, Dactylorhiza, Orchis,  Hymantoglossum and some Ophrys. 

 Orchis simia

 Dactylorhiza maculata 

 Orchis mascula

 Serapias lingua 

 Platanthera clorantha

 Platanthera bifolia 

 Hymantoglossum hircinium

   

       In late June, the Anacamptis gives way to forest orchids that in the Irati Forest are of the genus Epipactis.

 Anacamptis pyramidalis

 Epipactis viridiflora 

 Epipactis helleborine

 Orchis purpurea

 While in Europe, its length is less than in the tropics, they always have  had great appeal and what has been discovered later on them, it is probably caused greater fascination.
His name is related to the tubers with roots as a form it represents. Theophrastus was who named them "Orchis" by the resemblance to the testicles of men. The first known orchid is dated 65 million years ago, then at the time of the dinosaurs existed orchid species.

 

Spring in Irati.The explosion of life

Roe deer(Capreolus capreolus)

After an unusually harsh winter, life is manifested in all its aspects. Herbivores  take the opportunity to break the fast of winter survival, the birds begin to mark territories and mate, flowers rush out as if it were outside life (and in part, it is, see article on plants prevernals 2011), and amphibians begin a new cycle of life.

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Arrazola (Irati-Aezkoa)

Irati 12-4-2013

                            Although it has melted much of the snow that had accumulated, in many areas still comes above the knees. But more to clutter too, adds a special touch to the forest. It remains hard and just sinks to walk over.
This probably  may be a nuisance for different plant species having short timeframe before the leaves have come out and overshadow them, again most of them disappear until next year  

Narcissus Asturiensis (Sub.Jacetanus)

                                        Petticoat daffodil (Narcissus bulbocodium)


Daffodils are probably the most striking flower that can be found these days in Irati. There are several species of them, depending on the ecosystem, and the orientation of the slope. All are protected, and never enough to remember, are great for a good photograph, but have to follow them wherever it makes sense

Narcissus varduliensis

As you see in the picture above, is now when they are coming out. During the next two weeks will sprout 90% of them all. There are always some that are ahead and others fall behind, as in everything.Probably , may be a survival strategy, and if they go well, will play an advantage over their peers.
We lack the  Narcissus poeticus or poet´s daffodil, the rarest of all, perfect white,who not bloom now, nor in Irati (yes in the valley of Aezkoa) and we will be looking at another occasion.

Anemone nemorosa(Anemona nemorosa)

Dog´s tooth violet(Erythronium dens -canis)

Wild cat tracks(Felis silvestris)

Snow gives us the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of wildlife. In this case, traces declawed  wild cat (Felis silvestris), and the proximity to a pool of frogs, tells us about an attack likely to eat jelly   brown frogs (Rana temporaria) although they may be locally abundant, is a rare and legally protected species.
I want to emphasize, though this is perhaps not the right forum, because those who follow this blog I dont think that you need it, we should try to leave nature as we have found, or even better, if we see garbage and can lead us to throw in the containers. There are always exceptions, like at all. There is nothing wrong with taking some mushrooms in autumn, in areas where it is qualified to do, and probably would not have a big problem in catching frogs as has always been done. (Hey, do not invite anyone to do it!)
The problem comes when it does many people and also some without self-control. More is better, seem to they think, and doing business with it. Then is when  restrictions appear to prevent abuse,or  that an resource for these valleys esquilme, or that a species is endangered. Perhaps one more or less common frog is not essential, but in the case of threatened species, one  roughly bearded can mean the disappearance of the species locally for a long time

Brown frog(Rana temporaria)

Erlan fall (Irati-Aezkoa valley)

Finally, this spring Irati forest water bearings are completely filled , giving us some truly spectacular photos.
If you want to see him with your eyes, I'll be happy to show it to you. You can contact me at:

:itarinatura@itarinatura.com
and see some of the activities offered in www.itarinatura.com
If you prefer to see him alone, nature lovers are always welcome

 Erlan stream (Irati Aezkoa valley)

Stream with Narcissus varduliensis(Irati-Aezkoa Valley)

Easter holidays¿What to see in the forest of Irati?

With the arrival of the Easter holidays, many people will choose to come visit Irati forest. To make the trip as enjoyable as possible, we must bear in mind a few things;

Mount Azalegi(Aezkoa,Navarre)

1. There is still snow on the mountains. This may be an incentive, or a disadvantage depending on how prepared we go. Thus, hiking boots, if you walk out of the tracks, or even to walk on some of them, are highly recommended.
2. Of the two entries on Navarre to Irati  (Aezkoa and Salazar) at the moment only Aezkoa valley is open, (from Orbaizeta) because by Otsagabia / Ochagavia (Salazar Valley) there is still too much snow and not pass snowplows. This may change, so the  best is to ask in the information Office of Otsagabia: oit.ochagavia @ cfnavarra.es In any case, the village of  Otsagabia and Salazar/ Zaraitzu valley in general well worth a visit.                                                                                                  The time point Arrazola information is from 9:00 to 19:00 from Saturday 23 March until 1 April inclusive.
3. As the weather forecast indicates that something will upset your best if you go with warm clothes, spare clothes, and I will also recommend the umbrella than a raincoat only. Around here at least, you will not see a shepherd in the rain with a raincoat. They use the umbrella, because  it's what you'll driest maintain.

Megalithic area of Azpegi(Aezkoa,Navarre) with Mendilatz nature reserve in the background

     4.Bad weather can be an opportunity to visit the villages of these Pyrenean valleys, nooks filled with a lot of mystery, magic and history. Within half an hour we pass from one valley to another, around landscapes that will be in the memory for a long time.

Narcissus asturiensis

5. Dont take  flowers  that are beginning to emerge. Although some sites will look very abundant, it may just be in that small area, and outside to be very slim. You can remember best by a good photo. Moreover, in this way, the coming years this plant will be reproduced and  will be still mor

            6. The wildlife starts to move. About three weeks ago I took this photo of a wild cat (Felis silvestris) while waiting in the middle of a meadow vole or to a field mouse move to remove some of the hunger winter. It was not in Irati but on the way to  there . In general, wildlife in Navarra is varied and rich.

Wild cat(Felis silvestris)

Smooth snake  (Coronella  Austriaca)

7. For the same reason, this snake, an Smooth snake, harmless to us started out of his slumber to catch any mice or small insects and encouraged by the first warm rays of sunshine began to poke his head out of their shelters winter

 8.Finally, I invite you to do a tour with us, where we will explain  you everything we  will see in our way. You can also visiting our web: www.itarinatura.com  or put you directly in contact with us, either at the point of information Arrazola (Irati Aezkoa valley,Navarre) or with our email : itarinatura@itarinatura.com

Snow in the forest of Irati (Navarre)


 

With more than 1.50 meters of snow, snowdrifts without, in the mountains of the forest of Irati, landscape and life of the people of the valley changes significantly.It's still snowing, and so many days in a row to start giving problems mainly to deers and roe deers, and in diferent extent,to the rest of the animals in these forests. In Abaurregaina (Aezkoa), the highest village in Navarra and co-owner of Mount Aezkoa, part of the forest of Irati ,  the snow on the roof of a house reaches 1.20 m. Snow.Animals develop different strategies to cope with the winter, which is often a problem for cold & the absence of food.When they have nothing to eat because everything is under the snow, they have some strategies;or digging in search of plants, roots, stems, etc. .., or eat other things that normally would not eat as bark or lichens, or eat what escapes out the snow , as the fruits of certain species that survive the winter, as the fruits of holly (Ilex aquifolium) or the wild rose (Rosa canina) named in Navarre "tapaculos" (Cover asses) among other names, apparently due to its astringent properties.

There are also those who have kept their supplies, as the red squirrel, the vole or Jay, or who decide to move and go to other areas where access to food is easier. If they are birds, we are able to see at a lower altitude species generally would see further north, such as alpine accentores seen recently in Orbara (Aezkoa). But if roe deer and wild boar, among others, damage the winter garden, composed of leeks, cabbages and thistles, and damage to the fruit trees, that they bark must be as sweet to them, are substantial, and between owners see the need to control through hunting.Probably the quota of roe deer  and roes that every year the environmental department  of Navarre assigned to hunters this year will decrease.Many will die because of these heavy snowfalls.

 

      In the west prairies zones of Irati , have large areas of natural grassland, also in the range of Abodi, belonging to Aezkoa and Salazar valleys. You do not see fences or hedges, and it all evens like we were in the Arctic. Make a journey on snowshoes or cross-country skis becomes an exciting adventure, and even knowing the terrain, the snow gives a completely new.Beware miss!

You will see different tracks in the snow, tracks left by wild animals on their movements looking for food. Sometimes you can identify some of them as long as not too melted and disfigured, or the snow cover and disappears. This in particular is red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which stands in the snow tremendously.It is very similar to the dog, but the pad marks the front toes are not touching the rear of an imaginary line drawn on top of the rear pads.




Footprint Boar (Sus scrofa)


This corresponds to a boar (Sus scrofa). Hoof is unmistakable with its two small holes on the back side for their hooves, which the deer or deer do not usually leave.













 



Traces of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

The common squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) also leaves footprints in the snow more or less easy to recognize, especially when supports front and rear legs, but this is not the case. They are long, slender fingers, and nails. You always find very near the trees, and possibly start and end at one.I could not ask him what the hell was in the snow ..
 

Footprint of badger (Meles meles)

Badgers (Meles meles)makes typically footprints similar to those of the bears, but small, especially the earlier mark. With its 5 fingers and 5 nails is one of the easiest to recognize. In this picture you can see that was quiet, otherwise the position of the tracks vary, the footprint would gather more between them by twos and one in front and one in back.


 



Like everything else, the snow also has a positive side, and especially for children  is clear. This year it has snowed a lot we have had the opportunity to raise an igluman to the front door.With this name you can  imagin what is it. The snow, compacted in this way, hold more than around him, and when already melted around the igluman hold on a little longer, until it falls and it's time to regain the "txapela" or beret. Carrots also can thus remains chilly. The building you see in the background is a granary or Garea (Gare in Basque means wheat) where the grain was stored away from rodents. These granarys of the valle ofAezkoa are the easternmost of the Iberian peninsula, and also an excuse to visit our villages. All of them have one or more.If someday're here, let me know and I'll show you inside. Which unless this detail to my readers!

Sources: Tracks and signs of animals in Europe Preben Bang & Preben Dahlstrom (Ediciones Omega) 

Things to see in the winter of the Irati forest

This winter we are having unusually high temperatures for this time of year, and we have enjoyed precious days for walks through the forests.But some might think that going to the forest in winter, when the trees have no leaves, not worth it, but nevertheless, there is always many things to see, if you are ready.This photo is taken from the hill of Soraluze, near the western boundary of the forest of Irati, and important area with abundant megalithic dolmens and cromlech. Here goes the GR-12, or Euskalherria path.Nearby is Mount Urkulu, with the ruins of the ancient Roman tower keeping Astorga_Burdeaux Roman road, which passes close from here. In the background, you can see Mount Ori, eastern boundary of the forest of Irati, 2017 meters high, in the neighboring valley of Salazar

Dolmen of Soraluze (Aezkoa Valley,Navarre)

In this photo we have several starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). The black starlings (Sturnus unicolor) are such that sometimes we often forming large flocks at dusk when seeking roosts. These have come here to spend the winter, from  northern lands. Black starlings there are not commons in Irati  forest , but every year they are increasing their limits more to the north and more of them.
There are several good links on these birds.This bird web is from Argentina, where it is an invasive species and  they have many problems with it:
http://www.fotosaves.com.ar/Passeriformes/Sturnidae/FotosSturnidae.html


Very near  from Soraluze we can see the remains of this dried beech that seem to have gunned.Big chips line the grass at 180 º from where they have been detached by a type of woodpecker. If you look closely, you will see a very round hole in the top right of  the trunk, in the shadows.Is an old nest of a type of woodpecker.All this disaster had a purpose, that of finding succulent larvae that feed on dead wood, and the birds take to force the rotten wood chipping.





Here we are just 50 meters from the first, another dead tree with two old nests of woodpeckers,one forward and one to the right.

In an area of ​​grass near the edge of the forest, we found this  Badger´s(Meles meles) latrine. These animals deposit their droppings always in the same place. In this  one,we can see that has been used in at least three times, and in the first, fed on fruits with small seeds, probably wild rose, whose orange fruits remain  in the branches during part of the winter, and we can eat after removing the irritating hairs containing inside. They have lots of vitamin C.



In the trunk of a beech, we find this rare saprophyte fungus, (that feeds on dead matter) whose species, honestly it was the first time I watched. Probably is somewhat deteriorated. I put an euro coin on top of it so it can distinguish the size.If anyone knows what species can be treated, I would greatly appreciate the information.


In the reservoir water of Irabia (Aezkoa,Navarre)we found this  Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) perched a top a pole. We can see them throughout the year, but also have some of them during  the winter of the north . They measure about 1 meter in length and  a wingspan of 1.50 m. approx. They eat fish, and their presence, which increases without know very well the reasons (there was not a few decades ago in these valleys, but it seems that they lived here in the past) is for many people one of the causes of the decline of the trout population of Navarre Pyrenean rivers.

 To learn more about their food:
www.ardeola.org/files/330.pdf

Great Cormorant( Phalacrocorax carbo)

When we were leaving, we found two deer (Cervus elaphus) that ran for cover, but occasionally stopped to see what we were doing. That's when twe took photos, Before they came together in flight


In short, nature has a lot to offer us, wherever we go, wherever we are.