Tour de la pointe de la Saume - Ceillac

6 points of interest

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  Fauna

  Volucella pellucens

  This hoverfly of the Syrphidae family measures between 15 and 16mm. It lives in woodlands and near the edges of ponds. The hormones it produces deceive wasps and allow the female to lay eggs inside wasp nests. When the eggs hatch, the larva develops as an ectoparasite of the wasp larva. It then feeds on the dead wasps that have fallen into the bottom of the nest. After a period of hibernation, the larva completes its metamorphosis and flies off in search of food and a sexual partner.

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  Flora

  Stone Pines

  Perfectly adapted to high altitude, the stone pine, also called Arolla Pine or Pinus Cembra, can withstand extreme conditions. It grows very slowly, producing a remarkably homogeneous wood. This soft wood is ideal for woodworking and is highly appreciated by sculptors who can carve it with a knife. It is used to manufacture many objects such as toys or traditional wooden rosettes in Queyras. The way it spreads is unique as it needs the help of the spotted nutcracker to transport its seeds.

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  Geology

  Guillestre Pink Marble

  Guillestre pink marble has been used in many buildings and to create the statues, fountains, floor tiles and various designs that can be found in the region. Although it is called ‘marble,’ it only has the appearance of marble when polished. Geologists define it as a colourful and nodular limestone. It often contains ammonite fossils. The less brave of you can simply meet at Place de Guillestre.

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  Panorama

  From the Pas du curé

  You can see Le Péouvou and La Roche Noire in the foreground, the mountain range that marks the border with Italy in the background, as well as Mont Viso, still snowcapped, which dominates the surrounding mountains.

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  Fauna

  Spotted nutcracker

  In France, spotted nutcrackers are particularly fond of Cembra pine forests (forests mixing stone pine and larch). They feed mainly on seeds, but may occasionally eat small animals. After having quickly opened the stone pine cones, they carry the seeds in their sublingual pouch and bury them for the winter. These birds can find their many hiding places even under deep snow. 75% of the seeds are found. The remaining 25% allow stone pines to spread and colonize new areas.

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  Flora

  Buis

  Le buis est homogène, lourd, très dense, dur à grain très fin. Il est très prisé des sculpteurs. Autrefois utilisé dans diverses fabrications, il est aujourd’hui principalement utilisé pour réaliser des jeux, des manches de couteaux, des articles de bureau et des instruments de musiques à vent. Il aurait des pouvoirs divinatoires. Après avoir fait un vœu, on jette ses feuilles dans un poêle. Si les feuilles gonflent et tournent sur elles même, le vœu se réalisera. Le buis de la photo s’offre le luxe d’avoir devant lui, un panorama exceptionnel. Avis aux amateurs…