Turkey - Nature

by Günther Eichhorn

Landscapes

Much of Turkey that I saw are small to mid size mountains, with lots of scenic valleys. There are two areas that deserve special mention: Pamukkale and Cappadocia (see below).

Typical mid size mountains (678k) The higher mountains extend above the tree line. (400k) Scenic gorge (768k)

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in a somewhat featureless area of the country. It is famous for its brilliant white Travertine Terraces. They are form by spring water that is saturated with Travertine. Unfortunately, most of the water is by now diverted into town for swimming pools. That means that there is not enough water flowing over the terraces. This lets algae grow on the terraces and they are starting to turn brown from their original white.

The terraces behind some Roman ruins. (519k) This is not snow, this is rock. (414k) Another view of the blindingly white terraces. (607k) You can see some areas with grass growing on the terraces. No water is flowing over the terraces. (471k) The grass is growing strong in this area of the terraces, because of lack of water flow. (400k)
Brown/green color due to algae. (622k)

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is famous for its sandstone formations. Here are some examples of this stunning landscape.

Landscape in Cappadocia (595k) View over Cappadocia from a Hot Air Balloon. (584k) Hot Air Balloons over Cappadocia (411k) This valley is called Love Valley, seen from a balloon. (492k) Love Valley from the ground. (570k)
Another area with similar stone formations. (508k) Stone formations in Love Valley. (498k) Stone formations in Love Valley. (452k) Stone formations near Göreme. (524k) Stone formations near Göreme. (579k)
Stone formations near Göreme. (535k) Stone formations in Devrent Valley. (542k) Stone formations in Devrent Valley. (600k) Moonrise over Cappadocia (292k)

Fauna and Flora

Wild plants were in many places dry-adapted spiny plants. I didn't see many animals (other than birds), just a few lizards and a turtle.

Dry-adapted plant. (796k) Spiny dry-adapted plant. (404k) Spiny flowers. (501k) Thistle. (369k) Thistle. (346k)
Flower. (386k) I didn't see many dragonflies, in most places it was too dry. (276k) Lizards were more plentiful, but even those were not that plentiful, with the many people walking around everywhere.. (344k) I only saw one tortoise. (460k) A swallow. This one was taking a flying bath in a lawn sprinkler just before it sat down here. (423k)
Don't know the type of bird. (517k) Seagulls of course are everywhere, especially along the Mediterranean. (293k) Cormorants are around the Mediterranean. (306k) Storks on a Byzantine Aqueduct. (393k) Gophers were plentiful. This one was in Çatal Höyük. (536k)

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The terraces behind some Roman ruins. (519k)	This is not snow, this is rock. (414k)	Another view of the blindingly white terraces. (607k)	You can see some areas with grass growing on the terraces. No water is flowing over the terraces. (471k)	The grass is growing strong in this area of the terraces, because of lack of water flow. (400k)
Brown/green color due to algae. (622k)

Landscape in Cappadocia (595k)	View over Cappadocia from a Hot Air Balloon. (584k)	Hot Air Balloons over Cappadocia (411k)	*This valley is called Love Valley, seen from a balloon. (492k)*	Love Valley from the ground. (570k)
Another area with similar stone formations. (508k)	Stone formations in Love Valley. (498k)	Stone formations in Love Valley. (452k)	Stone formations near Göreme. (524k)	Stone formations near Göreme. (579k)
Stone formations near Göreme. (535k)	Stone formations in Devrent Valley. (542k)	Stone formations in Devrent Valley. (600k)	Moonrise over Cappadocia (292k)

Dry-adapted plant. (796k)	Spiny dry-adapted plant. (404k)	Spiny flowers. (501k)	Thistle. (369k)	Thistle. (346k)
Flower. (386k)	I didn't see many dragonflies, in most places it was too dry. (276k)	Lizards were more plentiful, but even those were not that plentiful, with the many people walking around everywhere.. (344k)	I only saw one tortoise. (460k)	A swallow. This one was taking a flying bath in a lawn sprinkler just before it sat down here. (423k)
Don't know the type of bird. (517k)	Seagulls of course are everywhere, especially along the Mediterranean. (293k)	Cormorants are around the Mediterranean. (306k)	Storks on a Byzantine Aqueduct. (393k)	Gophers were plentiful. This one was in Çatal Höyük. (536k)