Marine flatworm - Paraplanocera sp, - Cyprus

Ayia Napa under rock,4 meters deep.

Underwater photo and video 28.2.2016 by Costas Constantinou

Το χωριό Πισσούρι - Pissouri Village - Cyprus

See also

List of cities towns and villages in Cyprus - Κατάλογος δήμων και κοινοτήτων της Κύπρου

Το Πισσούρι είναι χωριό της επαρχίας Λεμεσού στην Κύπρο. Απέχει από την πόλη της Λεμεσού περίπου 30 χιλιόμετρα. Σύμφωνα με την απογραφή του 2011 είχε 1819 κατοίκους.

Pissouri is a village located in Limassol’s district, Cyprus (thirty kilometres westwards of Limassol’s centre), between Limassol and Paphos. Pissouri’s administrative area is the third biggest in Limassol District. The main settlement of Pissouri is situated about three kilometres away from the bay named Cape Aspro, and is built on the side of a green hill. The settlement, strangely, is placed in the middle of Pissouri’s territory.

Now they are two distinct communities, Pissouri Village Area and Pissouri Bay Area. The total permanent population is said to reach around 1100 people, about half of whom are Cypriots, the rest foreigners, mainly British, residents and visitors.

In Pissouri there are several shops, and many tavernas, restaurants and bars. There are also two banks' branches in Pissouri village's central square.

According to some official sources the name Pissouri derives from the ancient city ‘Voousoura’, as reported by Stravonas, a 1st-century BCE - 1st-century CE philosopher, mathematician and geographer. Some other sources[which?] connect the name of the village with pitched-dark nights.

A legendary reports that the 300 Alamanoi (German) saints who came to Cyprus from Palestine in order to practice in various parts of the island, arrived on the Pissouri’s coast during such a pitch-dark night. Another legendary reports that ‘the Saint Fathers’ pursued during the post-Christian era, were met in Pissouri’s region during a really black-night. However, it seems that the name of the village does not eventually stem from those legendaries but from the fact that in the region there was an extensive extraction of skin-sap from pine trees (called ‘pissa’ in Greek). The skin-sap production begun during the Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire), continued during the Middle-Ages (5th – 15th century) and the Frankish era in Cyprus.

Pissouri has an annual rainfall in the order of 447 millimetres. Local products nowadays are tabled grapes, wine, potatoes and other citrus fruits in smaller quantities planted across the valley spanning from the gulf to the hill, where the settlement is. There are also many olive, carob and almond trees. Unfortunately, during the last years, farmers had to eradicate big part of their vineyards, as they became profitless. During the last decade, and in particular the last 6 years, the residents have shifted to alternative financial resources with a better interest profit. Most of them have extensively dealt with buildings' construction and specifically with the erection of numerous residential places and new neighbourhoods. It is a matter of time before the village becomes literally autonomous in terms of services and facilities found locally. Pissouri seems to evolve rapidly, following the trends of the globalisation and global investments'.

The Church of Apostle Andrea was built with voluntary work by the good-willing residents of the community in 1883. The work for the construction of the church lasted for about twelve years. The Stone that the church is built originates from the regions of villages Anogyra and Prasteio villages and was transferred in the village with carts which were dragged by Cypriot donkeys. The church is built in Gothic style. The place that it is built was used as the village cemetery up to 1912.

The church is famous for its wooden-carved Icon Stand, which is a real work of art and was manufactured in 1890.The manufacture lasted 10 entire years because of the means of that time.

Other chapels are: Saint George, Prophet Elias, Saint Alexandros, Saint Mauritius, Saint Spyridonas.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos 13/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Ξωκλήσι Αγίου Γεωργίου στο χωριό Ακρωτήρι - Churche Agios Georgios at Akrotiri Village - Cyprus

Τοποθεσία
Το Παρεκκλήσιο ευρίσκεται σε μεγάλο επίπεδο τεμάχιο νοτιοδυτικά του χωριού, σε απόσταση περίπου 1.000 μέτρων από τον πυρήνα του χωριού .

Τυπολογία
Το Παρεκκλήσιο ανήκει στον τύπο της μονόχωρης μονόκλιτης βασιλικής. Είναι κτήριο το οποίο είναι δομημένο με πέτρα της Λεμεσού. Οι τοιχοποιίες είναι από διπλό φύλλο πέτρας και έχουν μεγάλο πάχος.

Η ανωδομή είναι οξυκόρυφος καμάρα με πέτρα η οποία εξωτερικά είναι επιχρισμένη με ασβεστοτσιμεντοκονίαμα. Η πέτρα δόμησης της εκκλησίας είναι εμφανής τόσο εσωτερικά όσο και εξωτερικά.

Στη νοτιοανατολική γωνία του Παρεκκλησίου υπάρχει μικρό καμπαναριό. Ουσιαστικά είναι δυο πέτρινες κολώνες οι οποίες εξέχουν περίπου ένα μέτρο πάνω από το γείσο της στέγης. Ενώνονται μεταξύ τους με πετρόκτιστη αψίδα. Στο σημείο γένεσης του τόξου της αψίδας υπάρχει μικρή καμπάνα.

Η κόγχη του Ιερού είναι ημικυκλική. Επιστεγάζεται με τεταρτοσφαίριο από πέτρινο κέλυφος το οποίο στο άνω μέρος εξωτερικά είναι επικαλυμμένο με ασβεστοτσιμεντοκονίαμα.

Η είσοδος της εκκλησίας είναι μονόφυλλη θύρα, στο μέσο του νότιου τοίχου, με τοξωτό ανώφλι.

Πέραν της ανωτέρας θύρας, στο φωτισμό του Παρεκκλησίου συμβάλλουν και μικρό παράθυρο στο άνω μέρος, στο μέσο του δυτικού τοίχου, καθώς και το μακρόστενο παράθυρο στο μέσο της κόγχης του Ιερού.

Το δάπεδο της εκκλησίας εσωτερικά είναι από κυπριακό γυψομάρμαρο. Το Ιερό Βήμα είναι υπερυψωμένο κατά ένα σκαλί και διαχωρίζεται από τον κυρίως ναό με ξύλινο απλό τέμπλο.

Η Αγία Τράπεζα αποτελείται από πέτρινη πλάκα η οποία στηρίζεται σε μαρμάρινο κίονα.

Χρονολόγηση
Δεν έχουμε ακριβή στοιχεία για το πότε κτίστηκε η εκκλησία. Χρονολογείται ως κτίσμα 17ου αιώνα. Είναι μνημείο Β΄ Πίνακα του Τμήματος Αρχαιοτήτων.

Σημερινή κατάσταση
Το Παρεκκλήσιο τυγχάνει συνεχούς και επιμελημένης συντήρησης από το Τμήμα Αρχαιοτήτων και δεν παρουσιάζει κανένα πρόβλημα.

Πηγή: Κείμενο Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου
http://akrotiri.org.cy/gr/what-to-know-tgr/religious-life-tgr/chapel-saint-george-tgr

Photos Akrotiri 13/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

European pied flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca (Pallas, 1764) - Μαυρομυγοχάφτης - Cyprus

See also

List of Birds of Cyprus - Κατάλογος πουλιών της Κύπρου

The European pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. One of the four species of Western Palearctic black-and-white flycatchers, it hybridizes to a limited extent with the collared flycatcher. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia. It is migratory, wintering mainly in western Africa. It usually builds its nests in holes on oak trees. This species practices polygyny, usually bigamy, with the male travelling large distances to acquire a second mate. The male will mate with the secondary female and then return to the primary female in order to help with aspects of child rearing, such as feeding.

The European pied flycatcher is mainly insectivorous, although its diet also includes other arthropods. This species commonly feeds on spiders, ants, bees and similar prey.

The European pied flycatcher has a very large range and population size and so it is of least concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The European pied flycatcher is an Old World flycatcher, part of a family of insectivorous songbirds which typically feed by darting after insects. There was an argument to break the species into two species, hypoleuca and speculigera, however this was rejected because speculigera was classified to be more closely related to species iberia. Subspecies include Ficedula hypoleuca hypoleuca, Ficedula hypoleuca iberiae, and Ficedula hypoleuca sibirica.

The Latin word ficedula means “small fig-eating bird”. The term hypoleuca comes from two Greek roots, hupo and “lukos. Hupo means “below”, and lukos means “white”

This is a 12–13.5 centimetres (4.7–5.3 in) long bird. The breeding male is mainly black above and white below, with a large white wing patch, white tail sides and a small forehead patch. The Iberian subspecies iberiae (known as Iberian pied flycatcher) has a larger forehead patch and a pale rump. Non-breeding males, females and juveniles have the black replaced by a pale brown, and may be very difficult to distinguish from other Ficedula flycatchers, particularly the collared flycatcher, with which this species hybridizes to a limited extent.

The bill is black, and has the broad but pointed shape typical of aerial insectivores. As well as taking insects in flight, this species hunts caterpillars amongst the oak foliage, and will take berries. It is therefore a much earlier spring migrant than the more aerial spotted flycatcher, and its loud rhythmic and melodious song is characteristic of oak woods in spring.


They are birds of deciduous woodlands, parks and gardens, with a preference for oak trees. They build an open nest in a tree hole, and will readily adapt to an open-fronted nest box. 4–10 eggs are laid.

The very similar Atlas pied flycatcher, of the mountains of north west Africa was formerly classed as subspecies of the European pied flycatcher

The European pied flycatcher has a very large range and population size, and is thus deemed to be of least concern by the IUCN. This species occupies areas of many different countries in Europe, very commonly found in countries of the Iberian peninsula. The species is noted as a vagrant species in places in Northeast Africa and South Asia, such as Sudan and Afghanistan. This flycatcher typically spends winter in tropical Africa.

The European pied flycatcher is a terrestrial bird, typically inhabiting open forests, woodlands, and towns. In 2005, the European population was listed to hold 3–7 million pairs.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Akrotiri 13/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Wood warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) Bechstein, 1793 - Δασοψάλτης - Δασογιαννούδι - Δασοφυλλοσκόπος - Cyprus

The wood warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) is a common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe, and just into the extreme west of Asia in the southern Ural Mountains. This warbler is strongly migratory and the entire population winters in tropical Africa.

This is a bird of open but shady mature woodlands, such as beech and sessile oak, with some sparse ground cover for nesting. The dome-shaped nest is built near the ground in low shrub. 6 or 7 eggs are laid in May; there may be a second brood. Like most Old World warblers, this small passerine is insectivorous.

The wood warbler is 11–12.5 cm long, and a typical leaf warbler in appearance, green above and white below with a lemon-yellow breast. It can be distinguished from similar species, like the chiffchaff P. collybita and the willow warbler, P. trochilus by its yellow supercilium, throat and upper breast, pale tertial edges, longer primary projection, and by its shorter but broader tail.

It is a summer visitor to the United Kingdom, seen from April until August. It has declined there in recent years; it is now very rare in Ireland.

It has two song types, often (but not always) given alternately; a high-pitched fluid metallic trill of increasing tempo About this sound pit-pit-pitpitpitpt-t-t-ttt (help·info) lasting 2–3 seconds, and a series of 3 to 5 descending piping notes of lower pitch piüü-piüü-piüü. The contact call is a soft piping note, similar to the second song type, but shorter and given singly, "piü".
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Akrotiri 13/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Hooded wheatear (Oenanthe monacha) Temminck, 1825- Σκουφοπετρόκλης - Σκουφοσκαλιφούρτα - Cyprus

The hooded wheatear (Oenanthe monacha) is a wheatear, a small insectivorous passerine that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae.

This 15.5–17 cm long bird is a resident breeder in unvegetated desert from eastern Egypt through the Arabian peninsula used to be in UAE and Oman a scarce breeder in Hajar mountains to Iran and Pakistan. It has occurred as a wanderer to Cyprus. The nest is built in a rock crevice, and 3-6 eggs is the normal clutch.

In summer the male gooded wheatear is a white and black bird. The white crown and belly contrast with the black face, back and throat. The tail and rump are white with black central tail feathers.

The female is brown, becoming somewhat paler below. The tail pattern is similar to the male's, but the ground colour is buff rather than white.

Hooded wheatear feeds on insects, often taken in the air. Its call is a whistled vit, and the song is a harsh chattering. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Timi Beach 13/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

St. Hilarion Cabbage - Brassica hilarionis Post - Κράµβη του Αγίου Ιλαρίωνα - Endemic to Cyprus

SEE ALSO - ΛΊΣΤΑ ΕΝΔΗΜΙΚΏΝ ΦΥΤΏΝ ΤΗΣ ΚΎΠΡΟΥ - LIST OF ENDEMICS PLANTS OF CYPRUS

Red Data Book category
Endemic to Cyprus

Brassica hilarionis is a species of perennial cruciferous plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is endemic to  Cyprus and is classified as endangered. This species flowers from March to May. Its common name is St. Hilarion Cabbage.

Description

Brassica hilarionis is a perennial subshrub that grows in the subtropical biome of  Cyprus. It is hairless, and has a basal rosette of rounded, fleshy leaves with flat stalks. The upper leaves clasp the stem. From March to May, B. hilarionis produces large racemes of creamy white flowers, with petals up to 2.5 centimeters long. This species produces narrow seed pods up to seven centimeters long. B. hilarionis grows up to one meter tall.

Habitat and distribution

Brassica hilarionis is endemic to the subtropical northern Range in northern Cyprus, from Yayla to Kornos. It inhabits rocky areas and has been recorded growing on limestone cliffs at altitudes of 400-850 meters

Brassica hilarionis is a hairless perennial up to 1 m high with a basal rosette of roundish, fleshy, flat-stalked leaves, upper leaves stalkless and stem-clasping. Has large loose racemes of creamy white flowers with petals up to 2.5 cm long. Narrow beaked pods up to 7 cm. Flowers from March to May

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos 11/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Photos Vasilia 2/4/2023 by George Konstantinou

Tournefort's gundelia - Gundelia tournefortii L. - Cyprus

Red Data Book category

Family Asteraceae or Compositae

Gundelia is a genus of plants in the sunflower family. The best known species is G. tournefortii. It is found in the semi-desert areas of Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Anatolia.

Gundelia tournefortii garnered media attention in 1998 when its pollen grains were found in abundance on the Shroud of Turin. Serving as a claim in establishing its provenance, it has been suggested that this spiny plant was used for the "crown of thorns" worn by Jesus, though others have suggested Christ's thorn jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi).


The leaves, stems, roots, and undeveloped flower buds of G. tournefortii, colloquially known as tumble thistle, are edible when they first sprout in early spring (February–March). The plant becomes progressively drier over the summer, it leaves yellowing and growing spikes. Before dying, it detaches from the root to be pushed around by the wind and disperse its seeds for the following year's harvest. Known as aqub (or akub) in Arabic, Arabs use it for food and healing purposes, and respect and identify with the plant. Sold in markets in Jerusalem, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, it's also gathered in the wild in Turkey. Among Palestinian citizens of Israel in the north of the country, a popular dish using the plant consists of the dethorned heads covered in olive oil and fried, and then simmered with lemon juice.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos 11/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Mediterranean saltbush, Sea orache, Shrubby orache, Silvery orache - Atriplex halimus L. - Ράμνος - Ράμος - Αλιμιά - Cyprus

Atriplex halimus (known also by its common names: Mediterranean saltbush, Sea orache, Shrubby orache, Silvery orache) is a species of fodder shrub in the Amaranthaceae family, which is native to Europe and Northern Africa, including the Sahara in Morocco.

This plant is often cultivated as forage because tolerating severe conditions of drought, and it can grow up in very alkaline and saline soils. In addition, it is useful to valorize degraded and marginal areas because it will contribute to the improvement of phytomass in this case.

It is a dietary staple for the Sand Rat (Psammomys obesus).

Extracts from the leaves have shown to have significant hypoglycemic effects

According to Jewish tradition, the leaves of Atriplex halimus (orache), known in Mishnaic Hebrew as leʻūnīn (Hebrew: לעונין),[2] and in biblical Hebrew (see: Job 30:4) as maluaḥ (Hebrew: מלוח),[3] is said to be the plant gathered and eaten by the poor people who returned out of exile (in circa 352 BCE) to build the Second Temple. Maimonides, in his commentary on Mishnah Kilaim 1:3, as also Ishtori Haparchi in his seminal work, Kaftor u'ferach, both mention the leʻūnīn by its Arabic name, al-qaṭaf, a plant so-named to this very day. In the Mishnah (ibid.) we are told that the laws prohibiting the growing of diverse kinds in the same garden furrow do not apply to beets and to orache (Atriplex spp.) that are grown together, although dissimilar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos 11/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Marine life of Cyprus - θαλάσσια ζωή της Κύπρου

Marine life of Cyprus - θαλάσσια ζωή της Κύπρου

Crabs of Cyprus - Καβούρια της Κύπρου

Sea shells - Κοχύλια της Κύπρου

Λίστα των θαλασσίων κοχυλιών της Κύπρου - List of seashells of Cyprus