DVD - Searching for Butterflies in South West Switzerland

[Paul Wetton]

As one or two folks mentioned they might be interested in seeing my filming exploits in Switzerland the twin DVD set is now available from my website http://www.wildlife-films.com.

Please use the Available Films link at the bottom of the index page or to view more details and a short trailer please go to http://wildlife-films.com/Searching%20f ... rland.html.

This set of DVD's is basically a trip report captured on film. It shows 128 species of butterflies amongst the wonderful alpine scenery captured during our three week trip in the cantons of Valais, Vaud and the Bernese Oberland in South West Switzerland at the end of June and the beginning of July earlier this year.

Thanks for taking a look and a special thanks to Guy for his help whilst we were over in Switzerland.

With regard to the posting of the new forum rules please be assured that Pete has given his permission to place this thread on the forum as it could be classed as advertising.

Thanks Pete.

[Roger Gibbons]

to view more details and a short trailer please go to http://wildlife-films.com/Searching%20f ... rland.html.

Your Purple-shot Copper in the trailer looks like a Purple-edged Copper.

[Paul Wetton]

That's because it is and I've made a mistake of naming it in the trailer. It's definitely named as a Purple-edged Copper in the actual DVD.

Well spotted and thanks Roger. I'll amend the trailer as soon as I get home.

[Paul Wetton]

The trailer is now correct for those who are interested.

Thanks

[Padfield]

Paul filmed some of this with me or at sites I had suggested (as well as discovering sites of his own) and he was kind enough to send me a complimentary copy - for which many thanks!

He's captured some riveting footage of common and rare alpine butterflies - some of it involving massive effort as he lugged about 30kg of equipment up the steepest mountain paths! The result is either a vicarious butterfly holiday (for those not intending to visit the Alps in the near future) or essential preparation for a trip (for those who are). I know a lot of people spend hours studying butterfly books before they leave on holiday to a new place; for anyone heading out to the Alps, watching these videos will be a far easier and more enjoyable way of getting familiar with the species they might see.

It's difficult to write this without it sounding like either a review or a plug, neither of which I really want - I just felt it worth commenting on the DVDs, having seen them. They're the fruit of a lot of work and very successfully bring the Alps in July into the living room!

Guy

[essexbuzzard]

Nice one Guy-very diplomatically said!
The DVD is definately on my Christmas wish list!

[Michaeljf]

I'm pretty sure I've got a copy coming for my Xmas present. I'm sure it'll make both good and envy-enducing viewing!

Well done to Paul - I can only guess at the amount of work post-shooting this would take to put the DVD's together.

Michael

[Paul Wetton]

Hi Michael

I wouldn't know whether you are getting one for Xmas or not as I'm sworn to secrecy (either way).

You're correct, I began editing when I returned home in July and finally completed the process at the beginning of November. It's a real strain on the eyes sitting in front of a PC all day at work and then for several hours when you get home.

Just imagine I've probably watched both DVD's around 20 times in total now.

[Paul Wetton]

Thanks very much for the mention Guy.
It was a fantastic holiday with breath taking scenery and great wildlife other than butterflies but with around 150 species it was a real treat.
I must also mention that Guy was invaluable in helping us to find and more importantly identify many species that I would almost certainly have missed without him.

On a side note any botanists out there. We found this plant in a dried up boggy area and I still haven't managed to identify it. Help would be appreciated if anyone knows what this is.

Unknown Plant 1

Unknown Plant 2

Best wishes to all.

[Mikhail]

Looks like the Pitcher Plant Sarracenia purpurea, one of those insectivorous plants, which has no business in the Swiss Alps, being a native of north America.

Misha

[MikeOxon]

This is Sarracenia purpurea, a native of North America, found along the Eastern seaboard of the USA and throughout Canada. There is also a long-established colony on Chobham Common in Surrey, UK.

This pitcher plant should not be confused with the Old World pitcher plants of Nepenthes spp, which are especially associated with Borneo and achieve similar carnivorous properties through a completely different evolutionary route.

In the absence of any butterflies to photograph at present, I attach a photo of Nepenthes rafflesiana.

Nepenthes rafflesiana

Mike

[Padfield]

Flora Helvetica (originally written in 1997) notes that Sarracenia purpurea was introduced to Europe in 1700 and has since become naturalised. The map for the species shows rather few localities and none in Valais.

My rather older but equally authoritative (1857, and in Latin) Synopsis Florae Germanicae et Helveticae doesn't mention purpurea. The Latin name can't have changed, as it was given by Linnaeus.

Interesting plant. I will have to keep a look-out for it! I'm pretty sure I've seen it, but in high season I don't find enough time to look up all the plants I see.

Guy

[Paul Wetton]

Looking at the state of its leaves I would think it should be found in wetter conditions than where we found it possibly even semi submerged. There was what appeared to be sphagnum type moss around it suggesting the area would normally be wetter.

Anyone else feel free to chip in if you have any ideas.

[Padfield]

Yes - it's a plant of peat bogs, according to Flora Helvetica. I wish I could remember where I'd seen it - because I'm now sure I have. It's obviously spread recently.

Guy

[Paul Wetton]

Hi G

Are you thinking of one somewhere else, as you saw this specimen with me. Along with several Cranberry Fritillaries.

I didn't read your previous comment very well and now realise you were speaking of this exact plant and it is actually a pitcher plant. Thats really quite amazing to find one up in the mountains of Switzerland.

[Paul Wetton]

Thanks also to Misha and Mike for pointing me in the right direction with this one.

I have some video of anothe plant I found in Switzerland that I'll post later when I've uploaded it onto YouTube for you guys to take a look at.

Thanks again to all.

[Michaeljf]

Hi Paul,

I've been off celebrating Christmas elsewhere, but having got back home, but my brain in gear again (only just) I've just got around to watching the first of the your DVD's for South West Switzerland.

My first impressions (apart from the fact that it's a welcome reminder what a lovely summer day is like - I just about remember, it seems so far away now) is that the quality of the DVD seems to be better than last time? Not sure if this is true, but I'm watching it on my Blue Ray player and it looks really good. I like the fact that you've put some scene-setting shots in the introduction, nice to see a shot of Guy in action, and I love the early shot of the Apollo with the green beetle piggy-backing on it.

Anyway - I've only just started watching it, but if it's all as enjoyable as the first section it'll keep me amused for many hours yet!

The only criticism - a very minor one - on the DVD sleeve (back sleeve) you could put total running time plus your name (on the sleeve your name only appears on the spine). Otherwise it all looks very professional (which we expect!). The front cover of the sleeve look great .

Michael