Seen today when watering the garden. At about 200 metres altitude in the Alpes-Maritimes. Quite big, about the size of a Red Admiral.
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Colin

Thanks Goldie. They are not always in good condition, as shown by this Berger's Clouded Yellow seen this morning,
and this Southern White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary f. valesina photographed recently:
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Colin

The courting position of these two Woodland Graylings
are reminiscent of that of Wood Whites.
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Colin

A few photos from the last few days. There are still a few Small Heaths around, this one having an unusual second ocellus : IMG_5910.JPG There are many Silver-washed Fritillaries, this one being one of quite a few f. valesina : IMG_5915.JPG Today there were many Southern White Admirals, in general s...

Thanks, Goldie. I have never seen one of "your" White Admirals, so I would probably prefer it to "mine" .
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Colin

This morning there were two Southern White Admirals on the same plant as yesterday, but on looking closely at the photos they were two different individuals. This is one of them. IMG_5819.JPG There was one Swallowtail, the first I've seen since the beginning of June. It was a long way away, so this ...

David,

I often see their first brood nectaring, for example on Thyme, Centranthus ruber (Red valerian) and Euphorbia, as in this photo taken in the merry month of May:
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Colin

Hello David,

It's not a Hedera but an Umbelliferae or Apiaceae or whatever they are called these days, probably Peucedanum officinale (Hog's Fennel). But I have seen them on Hedera helix.

Cheers,
Colin

Even though it was very cloudy this morning, there were quite a few butterflies around including a few male Provence Chalkhill Blues, IMG_5738.JPG a few female Berger's Clouded Yellows, IMG_5743.JPG and two Southern White Admirals on the same plant. IMG_5747.JPG IMG_5748.JPG There were also Meadow B...

A few photos taken during the last week or so. Tree Grayling: IMG_5644.JPG Wall Brown: IMG_5665.JPG Male Common Blue: IMG_5676.JPG Heath Fritillary: IMG_5680.JPG Male Provence Chalkhill Blue (two different individuals): IMG_5694.JPG IMG_5703.JPG A male (?) Spotted Fritiliary with very lightly-marked...

Hello Aughie,

The two-tone fringe, clearly visible on the right-hand wings of your first photo, distinguishes it from other similar species.
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Colin

Last Saturday I once again saw several Purple Hairstreaks at the start of the Piste du Darbousson. In fact there were two other individuals a couple of inches from these two. But I didn't manage to get a photo of all four :( . IMG_5509.JPG The day before yesterday at Terme Blanc there were 5 or 6 Tw...

This morning along the Piste de Darbousson I saw my first Purple Hairstreak #66 of the year. In fact there were 10 or 12 of them at ground level in the same location. But they didn't stop flying very often, and never landed with their wings open. IMG_5495.JPG This is a Tree Grayling from yesterday. ...

This morning in the Parc de la Brague it was cloudy at first but soon became sunny, just in time to see my first Tree Grayling #65 of the year. IMG_5456.JPG I also saw a solitary Wood White, IMG_5440.JPG a few Silver-spotted Skippers, IMG_5442.JPG an Adonis Blue, several Spotted Fritillaries, a few ...

It's all a matter of luck, being in the right place at the right time with the right TTP .
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Colin

Chris, David,

I saw my first Silver-spotted Skipper of the year yesterday as well . And more today.
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Colin

There seemed to be many more butterflies flying this morning than in previous days even though it is still hot. There were lots of Spotted Fritillaries, including this mating couple. The individual at the bottom (the male?) was in fact actively moving its legs, as if it had had enough :shock: . IMG_...

I see that my last contribution to my diary was on July 17, this being due mainly to the very high temperatures in my area, which affected me, and probably also the local butterflies. However I did manage to take some photos. A few Red-underwing Skippers. IMG_5159.JPG Many Scarce Swallowtails IMG_52...

Great stuff, Chris.
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Colin

Sylvie, yes, dried up and very hot.
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Colin