June 17 2015: A lovely Painted Lady. I hope the ones due to arrive in the UK are also in good condition. IMG_4457.JPG June 18 2015: Green-veined White. Second brood? IMG_4488.JPG Silver-washed Fritillary, IMG_4505.JPG and f. valesina . IMG_4481.JPG The number of Cleopatras at the moment is incredibl...

Yesterday near the Moulin des Gabres my good deed for the day was to rescue a Spotted Fritillary from the clutches of a spider. I gently took the butterfly by the wings, flicked off the spider and let the butterfly fly away, apparently unharmed. I assume the spider didn't consider this to be a good ...

Today I managed to get a photo for the first time this year of one of two Swallowtails that I saw. It wasn't easy as it was quite windy, and also the Swallowtail kept opening and closing its wings. IMG_4308.JPG I also saw a Scarce Swallowtail, but didn't manage to get any good shots for the same rea...

In the Parc de la Brague this morning there were probably more male Cleopatras than anything else, IMG_4293.JPG closely followed by Marbled Whites. This one had problems flying with its damaged right hand wings. IMG_4240.JPG And Provence Chalkhill Blues take the third place. IMG_4238.JPG There were ...

This afternoon in the garden I saw my first False Ilex Hairstreak #56 of the year. (I hope I've got it right this time.) IMG_1002.JPG This morning at the Pont des Dones on the brambles there were several Marbled Fritillaries IMG_4187.JPG and a couple of male Silver-washed Fritillaries. IMG_4192.JPG ...

Hello Matsukaze,

Thank you very much.
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Best regards,
Colin

Here are two more moths for identification, please. Both are in the Alpes-Maritimes at about 200 metres altitude.
The first measured 20 mm. wing tip to wing tip
and the second 12 mm. wing tip to wing tip.
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Thanks in advance,
Colin

Thanks, Pauline. Yes, Two-tailed Pasha are very impressive, specially when coming directly towards you at great speed, then suddenly changing direction and flying around you a few times only a few feet away and then dashing off again. What was notable today was the number of male Cleopatras. There m...

Today the temperature was around 32 degrees, which is rather hot! But it didn't stop me from seeing my first male Silver-washed Fritillary #55 of the year. I managed to get a photo even though it was quite far away. IMG_4121.JPG There were a few Marbled Skippers, IMG_4118.JPG and lots of Spotted Fri...

Kev, I shall try to leave a few butterflies for you in July :) . David, it's about 30 degrees here at present :) . This morning I went to Terme Blanc, a hill to the north of Biot, that has the peculiarity of having a lightning conductor on the summit. I don't know why! At the summit I saw my first T...

It was very hot this morning along the Vallon des Dones. I saw my first Marbled Skipper #52 of the year, but unfortunately no photographs. There is still one Spanish Festoon larva on the same plant mentioned above. IMG_4009.JPG There were many Heath Fritillaries, IMG_4003.JPG and a couple of Knapwee...

It was rather hot in the Parc de la Brague this morning, where I saw my first (confidently identified) Large White #50 of the year. IMG_3981.JPG Also my first (hopefully correctly identified) Lulworth Skipper #51 of the year, a female. IMG_3989.JPG Once again there were many Provence Chalkhill Blues...

Thanks a lot Essex Bertie.
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Best regards,
Colin

They don't seem to stay still for very long. :) Chris, yes, they stay in place long enough for you to approach them, then fly away, but not very far away, just as you are about ready to take a photo :( :( :( . There weren't many butterflies flying in the Parc de la Brague this morning due to it bei...

Please, what is this incredible moth, seen this morning at about 200 metres altitude in the Alpes-Maritimes? When I saw it I thought I must be dreaming .
Thanks,
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Colin

This morning along the Piste de Darbousson I saw my first Green-underside Blue #47 of the year IMG_3849.JPG and my first Marbled Fritillary #48 of the year. IMG_3899.JPG In addition I saw one very nice Green-veined White, IMG_3855.JPG and many Provence Chalkhill Blues. IMG_3868.JPG Also seen were a ...

This morning was more cloudy than sunny, but I did see two or three Small Coppers in very good condition: IMG_3834.JPG IMG_3836.JPG I also saw several Meadow Browns, a couple of Speckled Woods, a few Provence Chalkhill Blues, and one Glanville Fritillary. And in the garden I saw this Hummingbird Haw...

This morning I saw my first Red-underwing Skipper #46 of the year. (If it is something else, I'm sure someone will tell me). IMG_3794.JPG My kinkyest photo of the day is of these Blue-spot Hairstreaks. IMG_3824.JPG Another mating couple was these Provence Chalkhill Blues. IMG_3791.JPG I also saw one...

Guy, I must admit that I had some doubts about it.
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Colin

This morning, along the Piste de Peical, I saw my first Bath White #44 of the year, a male. IMG_3730.JPG IMG_3732.JPG Not far away I found my first Ilex Hairstreaks #45 of the year, IMG_3742.JPG which were squabbling for the Bramble flowers with a Blue-spot Hairstreak. IMG_3740.JPG Also seen were on...