Balans's Home

Inspiration 1: Mt. Sassolungo (Langkofel) - The Gardena Pass, South Tyrol, Italy

Inspiration 2: Cap de Fromentor, the island of Mallorca, Spain

Inspiration 3: Pollensa, a town to the north of Mallorca

Inspiration 4: Articles, links, and descriptions of Mallorca's coast

https://www.seemallorca.com/geography -  Wildlife: The vegetation in Mallorca supports surprisingly few land animals. The smallest include field mice, rats, rabbits and wood shrews while the largest are civet cats and a rare wild goat. The island is home to over 300 endemic species of animals, the most famous are the lizards that populate the island of Dragonera. Birds, on the other hand, have always been plentiful. Even though their habitat is under constant threat the number of bird species comes in at well over 2,000 when counting indigenous and migratory species. Bird watching is particularly prevalent in the north of the island and people come here to search for Audouin’s Gull, Black Vulture, Balearic Warbler, Thekla Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Spectacled Warbler, Wryneck and Purple Gallinule.   Flora & vegetation: Mediterranean flora dominates Mallorca. Scrub forests of pine, buckthorn, rosemary, wild olive, lentiscus and dwarf fan palms have been the island's main vegetation over the centuries. You will also find holm oak trees thrive in high rainfall areas in the mountains. There have been around 1,500 flowering plants recorded on the island with rockrose, lavender and orchids amongst them. On the coast, in the sand dunes, there are Ammophila grasses. Unfortunately, it is only the pine tree which is not in decline, and this is because of human intervention. In terms of agriculture, the flat plains in the middle of the island are where most of the holdings are found. Whilst the steepness of some of the slopes in Mallorca make it difficult to farm the land, some of it has been terraced which allows cultivation of olive trees and vines. These are two of Mallorca's main agricultural crops, along with citrus fruits (in particular oranges around the town of Sóller), almonds, grains and a few vegetables. The island's coastline is also home to large underwater meadows of Posidonia Oceanica seaweed. This endemic species of algae is now protected as it is vital to Mediterranean ecosystems and prevents erosion. Geology: Much of Mallorca is made up of limestone. This type of rock dissolves over time in water and gives rise to gorges and the many cave systems found in the foothills of the mountainous regions. The fact that limestone creates natural holds is the main reason why the island is very popular among climbers, especially for water soloing on cliffs. The same rock means there are very few lakes on Mallorca as water seeps through to form underground water systems. These basins provide water to the population. The scarcity of rainfall on the island means that the water table is easily challenged and this is a limiting factor when considering further population development.

"The Pine of Formentor" - Written by Miquel Costa i Llobera                                                                     Electus ut cedri Tis a noble pine enthralls me; no orange tree o vernal, nor oak e’er lived so mightly, nor olive tree so old: in his unfading vesture endures the spring eternal; with storms that lash the sea-line he strives with strength [supernal, a giant warrior bold. No little lovelorn floweret out from his lattice peeping; no mountain rill caresses his shadows where they sleep; but heaven in fragrance ever his halllowed head is steeping, and on the serried ramparts his throne exalted keeping  his fount the vasty deep. When o’er the distant waters the new born day is stealing among his shadowy branches no captive songsters wake; the cry of great sea-eagles he hears sublimely pealing, or feels the mighty pinion of soaring vulture Wheeling his leafy mantle shake. Not it the soil sustaining his tower of living vigour, about the stubborn boulders his massy roots entwine: he greets the dews and showers, chill wind and torrid rigour; and, like the ancient prophet, the smiles of heaven transfigure  his form with life divine. Sublime of trees! of genius the living sign and wonder, superb above the mountains he scans the infinite: his form fond heaven embraces, though harsh the earth                                                                                 [thereunder; and in that love he welcomes the lightning and the thunder for glory and delight.   Ay, when through all the heavens the tempests rage uproarious, and seems that to the surges down must his peak be hurled, higd o’er the billows’ clamour he sings with laughter glorious, and rears above the cloud wrack his regal head victorious, triumphant o’er the world.   My heart, on Tree, enshrines thee; Above the base earth’s                                                                                        [staining, thy memory for evere I guard a holy sign; steadfast to strive and conquer, in loftiest regions reigning, from purest rays celestial new life and nurture gaining What fate sublime is thine! Mount, mount, aspiring spirit! the shrounding mists                                                                            [transcending; stand fast aloft, as standeth that Pine upon the steep; calm shalt thou view beneath thee the world’s wild seas                                                                            [contending, and like the circling sea-birds, thy songs in joy unending above the storm shall sweep.

Inspiration 5: Articles, links, and descriptions of Mt Sassolngo and the The Dolomites

https://anywhereweroam.com/sassolungo-langkofel/ Lovely passages from the link: Everywhere you look near-vertical rocky peaks tower over green meadows swaying in the breeze. It is this dramatic contrast between inhospitable mountains and gentle fields that makes the area so visually stunning. Here, towering spires of rock rise out of the gentle grasses of the highest large Alpine meadow in Europe. Beyond grazing cows, spectacular views open up across the endless mountain ranges that make the Dolomites one of our favourite destinations. We set off early for our hike and shortly after leaving the Passo Sella car park, the magnificent sight of the Sassolungo massif rose dramatically before us. Three sharp peaks of grey rock protruded out of the green meadows and rose inexorably into the skies. They were in order: Sasso Piatto (Platkofel in German) on the left; Punta Grohman (Grohmansptize) in the middle; and Sassolungo (Langkofel) on the right. We reached Friedrich August Hutte – one of the most idyllic mountain rifugios. The aroma of freshly baked donuts and coffee wafted in the air. Reclining chairs facing Marmolada (the highest mountain in the Dolomites) beckoned us to sit and soak in the views. Cool mountain air blasted our faces, until the next turn provided shelter and brilliant sun. Shortly after leaving the refugio, the path veered right to deliver one of the best views of the hike, Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm). The largest high-altitude Alpine meadow in Europe, backed by the rugged peaks of Catinaccio and the anvil of rock of Sciliar massif, was a breath-taking sight. Hugging the Sassolungo – Langkofel massif on our right, we spent 45 minutes passing in and out of pine forests. To the left, the gentle sloping meadows of Alpe di Siusi glowed in front of the jagged spires of the Puez-Odel massif. We sat on a wooden fence, with a cow keeping us company and admired the scene. Continuing on, we took the steep detour up to Rifugio Vicenza – 300 m above us. As we ascended the gravel track, the scene changed from Alpine meadows to inhospitable rock face. The rifugio, surrounded by cliffs on 3 sides, has a bird’s eye view over layers of vertical rock and weary walkers making their way up the path below. Feeling recharged we headed back down and continued the contour around the Sassolungo – Langkofel massif. Soon the views changed again and as we approached Rifugio Comici, the Sella massif peaked into view. This is a colossal block of stone. With only an hour of downhill walking to go, we grabbed a beer, pulled up a deck chair in front of Sella and celebrated a challenging but extremely rewarding hike.

Inspiration 6: The Climate and Nature of the lands

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_forests,_woodlands,_and_scrub The biome is generally characterized by dry summers and rainy winters, although in some areas rainfall may be uniform. Summers are typically hot in low-lying inland locations but can be cool near colder seas. Winters are typically mild to cool in low-lying locations but can be cold in inland and higher locations. All these ecoregions are highly distinctive, collectively harboring 10% of the Earth's plant species. From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_climate/ The Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome is closely associated with Mediterranean climate zones, as are unique freshwater communities. Particularly distinctive of the climate are sclerophyll shrublands, called maquis in the Mediterranean Basin, chaparral in California, matorral in Chile, fynbos in South Africa, and mallee and kwongan shrublands in Australia. Aquatic communities in Mediterranean climate regions are adapted to a yearly cycle in which abiotic (environmental) controls of stream populations and community structure dominate during floods, biotic components (e.g. competition and predation) controls become increasingly important as the discharge declines, and environmental controls regain dominance as environmental conditions become very harsh (i.e. hot and dry); as a result, these communities are well suited to recover from droughts, floods, and fires.[8] Aquatic organisms in these regions show distinct long-term patterns in structure and function,[9] and are also highly sensitive to the effects of climate change.[10][11] The native vegetation of Mediterranean climate lands must be adapted to survive long, hot summer droughts and prolonged wet periods in winter. Mediterranean vegetation examples include the following:[12] Evergreen trees: bay laurel, pine, and cypress Deciduous trees: sycamore, oak, and buckeyes Fruit trees: olive, figs, walnuts and grapes Shrubs: rosemary, Erica, Banksia, and chamise Sub-shrubs: lavender, Halimium, and sagebrush Grasses: grassland types, Themeda triandra, bunchgrasses; sedges, and rushes Herbs: Achillea, Dietes, Helichrysum and Penstemon