Bosco di Santo Pietro Natural Reserve

February 25, 2020

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Photographer: Barbara Pindo
Summary Author: Barbara Pindo 

I recently had the pleasure to visit the natural reserve of Bosco di Santo Pietro (Sicily, Italy); a protected natural area extending along a large sandy plateau that’s furrowed by valleys. Though over 300 plant species are found here, there are 3 main habitats, the cork oak, the holm oak and the garrigue (a mixed shrub and grass habitat). Unfortunately, the colossal cork oaks of the past have largely disappeared today. It’s believed that no more than 50 of these huge cork trees remain, one of which is shown above. It’s a true wonder! I felt like I was in a Tolkien novel and that Gandalf could reach me at any moment.

The bottom photo shows some of the rich undergrowth of this reserve -- cyclamen are in the foreground. Photos taken on January 19, 2020.

Photo Details: Top - Camera NIKON COOLPIX L110; Exposure Time 0.029s (1/35); Aperture ƒ/3.5; ISO equivalent 80; Focal Length (35mm) 28. Bottom same except - Exposure Time 0.031s (1/32); ISO equivalent 400.