Second last full day... with Guy in Switzerland, most of which he covered in his diary ! Just a couple of photos, and a lifer for me, the Mountain GVW... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/IMG_1223_edited-1_zps41a6176f.jpg and the other "Alpine" in ...

5th day... back to Albula region, better weather.... Large Blues http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/130705Parion1152_edited-1_zps604021bc.jpg http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/IMG_0995_edited-1_zpsaee5b144.jpg Glandon...

here is a selection of Andy's queries....

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) medusa I believe... ... and in the new way of GP....

Hi again... this wasn't a ?mnestra, I wish!! I have developed the only glimpse of upperside I have on camera, deliberately lightened to show up the dark interior.... not one to hang on the wall!... IMG_0670.jpg I'll sort Andy's photos out, he was the only one energetic enough to get to the erebia in...

4th Day, the mountain we stayed on, at a brilliant Trattoria called Fordeccia.... much recommended... onward to the upper reaches of the Alpe di Mezzo...... A normal male Mazarine... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/IMG_0779_edited-1_zpsb0e46e34.jpg and a m...

Our first trip to Albula region didn't come off too well... Almond Eyed Ringlet... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/IMG_0291_zps623df646.jpg Dusky Grizzled Skipper... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/IMG_0244_zps4d...

Here are some more, from what was a cool overcast mountain pass, hence the paucity on our second day... A Heath Fritillary... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd306/ptkip/Italian%20Alps%20July%202013/IMG_0178_zpsd0c334cd.jpg then a series of Dewy Ringlets... http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd30...

Here are a few recent shots from the mid-northern Italian Alps and environs, more will be added in due course, hope they have been worth posting...at least it shows what one might see with a bit of effort in that region, though being a very late season, probably more indicative for mid-late June tha...

Thanks Guy, so I did have a book with it in....

This was high in the Albula Pass a few days ago, evidently seeking somewhere to pupate.... any offers of ID very gratefully received... ? cinxia, size approx. 3cm
my books don't include larval stages

OK Guy, I think your photos must have been photoshopped in order to produce that huge fat chap - and I remember all those slopes were steeper, and Eddie the Eagle had nothing on my attempt to fly! For all your avid readers, me of course included, here is my rarest find of that day, wild in it's own ...

If it's any help... here are two definite flocciferus from the Vercors....
as opposed to two orientalis from the Mani...
they are very similar!!

not a butterfly... but my wildflower patch today....

Thanks chaps.... hey if anyone does the long trek north (east), get in touch, I'm always up for a day out ..... and Ian... sorry I missed you.... hope you enjoyed it as mch as I did

Thanks David... it is a little gem, worth a trip

Here's another shot from today...

Congratulations.... and brilliant!.... we don't seem to see many photos of maturna at all on here impressive Frit is'nt it

Well Ian.... I guess you knew I would probably trek up to Scotland again, after your last picture....here are some of my efforts from today, wall to wall sun, light breeze, and the bluest sea you could ask for, I had the whole place to myself.... and at least a dozen artaxerxes, which teased me for ...

About this time each year lately, I have been compelled to post a piccy or two of my evolving wildflower patch..
I think it's looking well, the Bumblebees love it but as for butterflies... no real joy yet.... I live in hope of Common Blues!

Excellent... when I first started looking for European butterflies, I would have found these invaluable.... I find many features explained in guides are less than easy to distinguish therein.....yet such are easier in side by side images..... such as Guy's Rock vs Woodland Grayling last year, and al...

Having achieved my first male thersites photo this year, I was keen to compare it to icarus just to see the androconial patch differences..... here is the comparison....
I think it demonstrates the difference well. ? may be useful to others on trips abroad