Matsukaze

[Matsukaze]

The Orange-tips have started to emerge.

[Wurzel]

And there's me still trying to find one Matsukaze!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

The Orange-tips have started to emerge.

Lovely, Chris. That camouflage never ceases to amaze me.

[Matsukaze]

More Orange-tips...

[Matsukaze]

Pollination in action, two years ago in Dordogne. Note the orchid pollinia on the left-hand butterfly's proboscis (the butterflies are, I think, parthenoides)

[Matsukaze]

Sete, S France, today - giant black butterflies being vivacious at just short of roof level. Two tailed pashas? I know they fly in the general area but are they prone to wandering into town centres?

[Wurzel]

I reckon you're spot on with the 2 Tailed Pasha ID Matsukaze as I saw two there about a fortnight ago My two were flying at the top of Mont St Clair (if that's the correct name?) in and out of the gardens there.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Sete, S France, today - giant black butterflies being vivacious at just short of roof level. Two tailed pashas? I know they fly in the general area but are they prone to wandering into town centres?

Very probably, Chris. They'll readily fly in human inhabited places if there's a source of sustenance for them.

[Matsukaze]

Saw a couple of definites. No chance of photos though. Much too flighty. Had fun stalking tree and striped grayling in the hills.

[David M]

Saw a couple of definites. No chance of photos though. Much too flighty. Had fun stalking tree and striped grayling in the hills.

Back out in Spain very soon myself, Chris.

Hopefully I'll see Pashas and late Tree Graylings.

[Matsukaze]

...right hand lane now, we're coming off at the next exit, STOP SWERVING TO AVOID BUTTERFLIES, I know what you were doing...

[Matsukaze]

Firecrest in the garden this morning - the first time I have ever seen one in this country.

No butterflies yet and not really expecting any.

[Wurzel]

That's a mighty fine garden tick Matsukaze - made even better being a UK tick to boot

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Matsukaze]

For many centuries, the Rhône valley was much less peaceful than it is now, and when you have a very steep hill rising above the crossing of two trade routes, it makes a natural setting for settlement. This is how the old wool town of Châteauneuf-de-Mazenc came into being. In the much more peaceful nineteenth century, however, the steep streets became a nuisance and the town migrated down to the crossroads beneath, leaving the old town abandoned. Red valerian colonised the ruins, and where you get red valerian, you get nectaring butterflies.

[Wurzel]

Fantastic looking site that Matsukaze I love that Scarce Swallowtail shot in particular

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

"Châteauneuf-du-Papillon" - love it, Chris!