Postcard from the field, from tour leader Paul in the Italian Alps:
The scenery here is simply spectacular, an incredible stage upon which the most brilliant butterfly drama is playing out - many new species were enjoyed yesterday by our guests, including the mighty Camberwell Beauty.
Postcard from the field from tour leader Michele Viganò, also in the Italian Alps with our group this week:
Not just butterflies... our eyes are wide open and we're receptive to nature's wonders in all their forms, not least orchids, like this tiny Nigritella corneliana.
This was part of the thorough groundwork we undertake before this flagship tour begins each year - we know the island's orchids intimately, but there are always new treasures to find! If you'd like to join the ultimate Rhodes orchid tour, more info here:
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
While we're as much a fan of a colourful butterfly as the next wildlife tour company, we're not so shallow as to be obsessed with 'butterfly baubles' - we appreciate subtle beauty too, like this elegant Lesser Lattice Brown enjoyed by our group in Serbia this week.
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
Have you encountered a busy little bee lately? Other wildflower pollinators are available, and don't come with the same Emperor Commodus vibes... 😉
This week's @wildflowerhour.bsky.social challenge is #PollinatorPals - let's be seeing your flowers with pollinators doing the do!
Tour update 🚨
As of this evening, Summer Orchids of the French Alps 2027 is now fully booked, which leaves Orchids of Sardinia 2027 as our #Twosday special, with just 2 places left available on it to join @dunnjons.bsky.social & Michele Viganò next April...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Of course, there's another @mariposanature.bsky.social orchid tour I lead that qualifies for #Twosday, and that's the flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes. It's full for 2027, and for 2028, so we're running a second week in 2028... which has 2 places left available...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Day 6 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps saw us cross over the Col de la Lombarde into France. Perfect weather conditions saw us increase the butterfly species count to 111, including Safflower Skipper and Oberthurs Grizzled Skipper.
There's so much negativity expressed on social media - it's predictable, boring, and depressing. So we love it when we open our emails and find such positive feedback from our guests, in this case from the recent Abruzzo spring butterfly tour. Thank you, everyone!
Postcard from the field from tour leader János Oláh, in super Serbia with our group this week:
Serbia really is the gift that just keeps on giving... and giving. Today's been another remarkable day, with fabulous Spinose Skipper and Zephyr Blue two most enjoyable highlights.
#butterflies
Mariposa Nature Tours
Mariposa Nature Tours
Mariposa Nature Tours
Mariposa Nature Tours
Mariposa Nature Tours
Mariposa Nature Tours
Paul Selby
Jon Dunn
www.mariposanature.com
Led by Jon Dunn, author of 'Orchid Summer', and professional plant photographer Sarah Cuttle , our time on Rhodes will be packed with colourful orchids - depending on the season, perhaps approaching 5...
Day 5 of the @mariposanature.bsky.social holiday to the Italian Alps brought many new butterfly species, taking us to 108 so far, and counting. The highlights included these Camberwell Beauty, Purple Shot Copper and Titania's Fritillary
This week’s challenge is #PollinatorPals! Find a flowering wild or naturalised plant with a pollinating visitor & snap away. Of course it’s not just about bees! Butterflies, moths, wasps, flies & beetles can be #pollinators too! Share your pics for #Wildflowerhour Sunday 8-9pm 🪲🦋🪰🐝
Tour update 🚨
As of this evening, Summer Orchids of the French Alps 2027 is now fully booked, which leaves Orchids of Sardinia 2027 as our #Twosday special, with just 2 places left available on it to join @dunnjons.bsky.social & Michele Viganò next April...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
That was the day!
Three months ago in Rhodes, Sarah Cuttle and I enjoyed one of the most productive days orchid-hunting I've ever known in terms of brand new, one-off rarities found - hybrids and wild colour variations abounded.
#ThrowbackThursday #orchids
