Provided an interesting insight into the country and the agriculture that effects butterfly habitat, in a poor area of Greece. Not least the roaming herds of cows, sheep and goats, guarded by packs of mean and protective herd dogs. (Note to potential visitors: avoid at all costs!). Much of the lowland was intensively farmed or covered with olive plantations, and small groves; most accessible mountain areas were grazed to some degree - the closer to the villages, the more heavily grazed habitats were
. Much of the rest is high mountains (snow on top!) with steep-sided slopes, covered by ancient woodland and criss-crossed with streams, gorges and meadows. This means these areas are the best undisturbed habitats around; and where large numbers of diverse butterflies are found. In a few of these places (which are "secret") the False Apollo (Archon apollinus) breeds in good numbers. We had 1 good day and saw several False Apollo, not all in very good condition and quite difficult to photograph as they bask on the ground, down in the grass, out of any breeze - or at least that is my excuse
. Tough you missing female apollinus, I didn't manage a male. Another time...
I had a guy with me on last summer's Spain trip who will be 90 this year!! I reckon he must take the award!
