[Hilary]

Ovis gmelini ophion, Cyprus Mouflon, Κυπριακό Αγρινό 

A stamp issued by CYPRUS, ΚΥΠΡΟΣ, KIBRIS in 1998 in a series of four stamps.

In the past we had a discussion about  this wild sheep of Cyprus so when I saw this stamp featuring a Mouflon family  I couldn’t resist buying it

[Charithea]

The Mouflon  look impressive when spotted walking on the Cyprus hills.

[David Dickinson]

Reading your reply about seeing the mouflon on your hills made me think of Ibex climbing ability. I don't have many ibex in my garden but I'm sure they would scale my garden wall with ease.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ibex+climbing+dam&view=detail&mid=51D30D29D1C5866FEB4951D30D29D1C5866FEB49&FORM=VIRE

[Fermi]

Hi David,
that video made it onto Australian TV a while ago!
Very impressive but I gather a few aren't as sure footed 
cheers
fermi

[David Dickinson]

I would probably be one of the ones to die. Through lack of minerals though rather than in the attempt to climb the dam. It makes my head spin just watching them do it

It did make me think though. If it is alright for millions of people to help nature out by feeding the birds, surely it would be okay for the rangers to put out a bit of salt at the bottom of the dam?

[Hilary]

My son M sent me some photos of goats climbing a dam in 2010. It looks like the same dam and the same goats.

The third photo is of goats sleeping in the shade on a low cliff somewhere on the island of Skyros in 1996

[Charithea]

Hilary, John has photos of  Moroccan goats on Argan trees. Perhaps he should post it too.

[Hilary]

Helianthus annuus, Common Sunflower

This stamp was issued by Bulgaria in 1987 in a series of six stamps named BEES AND PLANTS

The water colour painting was made by my daughter for my birthday last year

Sunflowers are mentioned in many issues of THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN
I chose number 88, April 2017 for you to read
The President’s letter
FROM THE PRESIDENT
PLANTS AND PLACES
By Caroline Davies

[Charithea]

Such a lovely present.  Our granddaughter has taken to drawing and painting.  We are hoping she will do some flower drawings not just the cats that she adores.

[Hilary]

Mentha piperita, Peppermint

A stamp issued by Yugoslavia in 1965 in a six-stamp series named LOCAL FLORA

Peppermints are mentioned in ‘
AGM 2019-PELION:
A SPECIAL NOWHERE
By Ann Semaan Beisch
THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN number 99, January 2020

For photographs of some of the places visited see  THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN SOCIETY website
https://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/99-post.html

[Hilary]

Cichorium intybus, Chicory
This stamp was issued by Ukraine in a series of four stamps in 2017 named MEDICINAL PLANTS

A couple of weeks ago I took a different route to the shops and seeing a haze of blue in an empty plot I ventured in and saw that the flowers were Chicory. The sun was very bright and there was a strong wind blowing so I was pleased that the photos turned out to be in focus. The last photo is from one September in Sparta

Chicory is mentioned in many issues of THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN I chose number 20, April 2000 for you to read
A RABBINICAL GARDEN:
PART 2
 by Nicholas Stavroulakis

[Charithea]

Hilary, I love the colour of the cichorium.  We have lots growing in our field/garden.  When they first appeared I was very happy but they  spread all over the place. Now every Spring  I pull/cut out some of the roots. Of course they grow again but I manage them. We also see them growing by the side of the road and they are a wonderful sight. Another wild plant/flower that is in bloom now and I think has an even more attractive colour is the Cardopatium spinosum. Difficult to grow in our garden.

[Hilary]

Charithea,
 I can't say I have ever seen Cardopatium spinosum although the website Flora of Greece states that it grows in this area.
I will be on the look out for it

I hope the fire is out or under control now in Cyprus and wonder if any of your friends/members of TMGS  were effected 

[Charithea]

The Cardopadium spinosumI grows on the raised sides of roads. It is spiny  just as its name says but in the very hot summer it flowers. I think the fire is now under control. It was not far from where our daughter lives. Between the fire was the hill and the dam. Our daughter is in Corfu with her family so we went to check on their three cats and the  pet rabbit.  We made arrangements with the lady who lives opposite to make sure the rabbit and the home help were evacuated with them if it was necessary.  Luckily it was not necessary. The neighbour had been in their summer house in the village of Ayia Babatsinia and had been evacuated Saturday evening, with the rest of the residents to the village centre. She had returned to Finikaria the morning. She said the houses were ok then but the area around was burnt.  I become agitated every  time I hear the sound  of a helicopter. It is a signal that there is a fire some where.  Let's hope there won't be any others this year.

[Hilary]

Thanks for the update