Last Sunday we organized the second edition of the photo nature trekking at the springs of the Sabato river, in the middle of Picentini Regional Park, in the company of our friend Daniel Li Veli, biologist with a great knowledge of the area.
During the first meters of the path, which began with the ascent of the stream along its banks, a White-clawed Crayfish (Austropomatobius pallipes), a an endangered species that inhabits the area, welcomes us. Resuming the hike, we enter into a labyrinth of wild Hazels, Chestnuts and Maples, among which stand out Yews and Beech trees. We stop to observe and identify the many late-winter flowering species such as Common Primrose (Primula vulgaris), Crocus sp., Stinking Hellebore (Helleborus faetidus), Common Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria), Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and typical essences of damp and shady woods, such as mosses, selaginelle and ferns. Several individuals of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta trutta) accompany us during the last stretches along the stream.
Leaving the riverbed, we walk along a suggestive sheep track that crosses the centuries-old Chestnuts of Serino, until we reach a drinking trough where we can photograph several adults and tadpoles of Apennine Frog (Rana italica) and some larvae of Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra gigliolii).
Along the last part of the path, along the slopes of Mount Pizzautolo, we take a loof to the dark dolomitic outcrops, dating back to about 210 million years ago (Norico, Late Trias.), rich in organic matter including fossil fishes. These fossil deposits became famous for the mining activity connected to them (extraction of an ointment called ichthyol), which lasted until after the Second World War.
Just before leaving, a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) twirls over our heads, as if to join the greetings. The event has been confirmed as an important appointment for hiking and photography lovers, interested not only in outdoor activities but also in the discovery of the countless natural beauties that Campania region hosts!
