Rhododendron Forest in Bloom

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The evergreen Rhododendron Ponticum is a native plant to the Strandja mountain in Bulgaria. It has survived the last ice age as this part of the continent remained ice free. It loves the deep, shady and humid gorges, as it can get very dry and hot in this part of the country in the summer. Together with the Eastern beech tree and the local varieties of ivy and other wild vines, it forms thick and lush forests that often resemble real jungle. It is a protected species in Bulgaria and the areas where it grows are usually reserves or protected areas withing the boundaries of Strandja Natural Park. The blooming of the Zelenika, as they call it here, attracts visitors from around the country each year. These dark, rocky, wet and lush with vegetation stream valleys are favourite spots of mine to visit in spring.

In 2020 the pandemic gave me an unique opportunity to record sounds in real-time for long periods of time completely without or with very few interruptions by jet planes flying over. I managed to record an eight hour recording of the sounds in this forest and to turn it into a “no loop” birdsong video. You can see it here: https://youtu.be/nlRfDVSebAA

The mossy fairytale-like roots of an old beech tree.
Forest classroom project realized by a local wildlife protection organization.
My most favourite type of damselfly in its amazingly stylish color outfit.

Rhododendron Stream

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Strandja Natural Park in Bulgaria is home to a relic species of Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), which can be found in Europe only here and in Caucasus. The plant likes to live in the cool and humid gorges usually under the shady umbrella of tall beech trees. These places are so green, lush and rich with vegetation, that I often feel like being in an European jungle. I wanted to film and record this place on a rainy day, when all the leaves are wet and shiny and the colors are even deeper and more pronounced. So I came here one day in spring to try to realise this idea. Here is the result: https://youtu.be/VPmDEsdd7y0