Turkey and Iran - Travelogue

[Luc Gilgemyn]

They look heavenly Arthur ! 

Does "Moleskin" Iris have a scientific name ??

[Wim Boens]

Love the meda's, Arthur...and those moleskins are just fabulous

[Arthur Nicholls]

They look heavenly Arthur ! 

Does "Moleskin" Iris have a scientific name ??

It is thought to be a hybrid.  I believe that a name has recently been suggested for this iris - I will investigate.

[Arthur Nicholls]

In 2008 I was priveliged to see a spectacular onco - Iria acutiloba ssp.longitepala.  We nicknamed this KKK (Klu Klux Klan) as the top petal resembles a clansman's hood.

When first seen by my friends in 2006 they thought it was located in only two places.  It was a shock to find one location with two giant holes as though a JCB digger had been at work - no irises.  Happily there were plenty at the other site.

In 2010 we found many more sites over a long distance.

[Arthur Nicholls]

This year we went to the far N W of Iran where it is bordered by Turkey and Azerbaijan.  This was in order that John Ingham could revisit some early Armenian churches.  Little did we know at the time that we were going to see some of the most spectacular oncos - Iris iberica ssp. elegantissima.

The first church we visited was the monastery of St Stephanos.  The church is set in beautiful hills.  The day we visited was a Friday - a Holy day - and the place was packed.  Most people had travelled from Tabriz some 2 hrs away.

Before I show you the irises some shots of St Stephanos

[Arthur Nicholls]

I said the people were very friendly and the following shots illustrate this.

First Dan amongst the beauties and then Dan about to photograph a family who were bringing their new born daughter to the church.  The family included daughter, her mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

[Kris De Raeymaeker]

Very impressive series Arthur !
Thanks for taking us through this Frit World ! 

I'm looking forward to the pics of the Onco's tomorrow.

I bet we all are !! 

We stayed in "the mountainious part of the country" this weekend.(Ardennen)
Lazy weekend with  lots of snow and good food and drink. 
See this beautiful pictures now and enjoy it.
Superb to experience this from the comfort of home.
It also creates the dream more of these plants can grow here.
Many thanks for this Arthur.         

[Frankie Wulleman]

I agree with the others. These Moleskin seem to be not of this world, such a beauty!

[Arthur Nicholls]

In Iran the police know where you are all the time.  Our bus driver was required to report in at least once a day and sometimes it was difficult to find the right place - never the local police station.

In Maku the reporting had to be done at the container distribution site.  We had to weave our way through giant trucks - not easy.

On our way back to find the road to the next church St Thaddeus, we took a wrong turn - serendipity    We spotted  the oncos from the road and were overwhelmed.

[Arthur Nicholls]

Some more

[Arthur Nicholls]

We continued on our way to St Thaddeus church.  It was only a short distance but what we found was another field of oncos even more breathtaking than the first.

It is difficult to say with certainty which onco it is.  There appeared to be Iris iberica ssp. elegantissima, Iris lycotis and possible hybrids btetween the two.

[Arthur Nicholls]

I have posted a picture of Iris lycotis that was taken on my first trip.  This the last one.

It was taken on the Razan Pass in gale force winds.  It was a very frightening experience as you thought that you could be blown from the mountain at any time.

[AdminLuc]

Awesome pictures Arthur !!!  
Frighteningly beautiful !!  (where's the "drooling" icon when you need it ??)

[Wim Boens]

you mean like this: or like this

For me, those I iberica ssp. elegantissima are

Arthur, thanks for showing us pictures of those wonderful plants.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thank you Wim, I knew I could count on you !