These last two weekends I have been inland and upland into the Var at 650 m Alt. to see how Spring is taking hold in the upland areas.
Whereas Spring is now being felt this week in the lowland areas of the South of France, inland at 650 m there are very few signs of nature waking up.
The only BFs flying were Cleopatra and Large Tortoiseshell.
However, this magical place in the photos below should produce a minimum of 75 species of butterfly throughout the season.
I was greeted by the bucolic view of Shepherdess, sheep, goats, sheepdog and '
patou'. The 'patou' is the large white dog.
troupeau moutons et chèvres - Vallon 12Mar16 (2).JPGI was surprised however to see a 'patou'.
A 'patou' is a pyreneean sheepdog which is raised with the flock of sheep, to form part of the flock (mingle in with the sheep), and to ward off any predators with its loud agressive barking. What it was doing in Provence, I don't know - I must ask the Shepherdess if I see her again.
Here is the cortege advancing along the track:
A 'patou' is a Pyreneean sheepdog which is raised with the flock of sheep, to form part of the flock (mingle in with the sheep), and to ward off any predators with its loud agressive barking. What it was doing in Provence, I don't know - I must ask the Shepherdess if I see her again.
The watering hole for the sheep and goats with the trampling of hooves all around it:
But, alas, the netting for the mobile over-night sheep pen is placed slap bang around a butterfly hotspot - sacrilege !!
This very precise patch of 'nothing' is home to Sage Skipper, Cinquefoil Skipper, Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper, Rosy Grizzled Skipper and Southern Marbled Skipper, to say the least.
Let's hope the butterflies will emerge when the time comes.
Cheers, Chris