Butterflies in the Alpes-Maritimes

[CFB]

Roger's recent post inspired me to show a few butterflies from the neighbouring département of the Alpes-Maritimes. Due to a very wet and cool spring, most species seem to be a couple of weeks later than last year.

There were many Orange-tips including this female:

If I hadn't seen this male Provence Orange-tip landing on the plant, I would probably have walked right past it without seeing it:

A magnificent Spanish Festoon. There seem to be fewer of these compared to the last two years:

A lovely little male Baton Blue:

And a male Chequered Blue. I visited its site several times before seeing just this one:

Also at this site are some splendid Lilium pomponium:

There were three Southern White Admirals on this plant, but I only managed to photograph two of them:

Small Heath:

Scarce Swallowtail:

Swallowtail:

A very fresh looking Knapweed Fritillary:

--
Colin

[NickMorgan]

Lovely pictures. It must have been an amazing trip.

[Padfield]

Yes, really beautiful pictures!

Isn't it interesting how Provence orange tips nearly always rest on yellow flowers while orange tips do so much less often?

My friend Tim Cowles (http://felixthecatalog.tim.pagesperso-orange.fr/), from Lyon, tells me he has also experienced unprecedentedly miserable weather since January, resulting in a late year there too.

Guy

[CFB]

Lovely pictures. It must have been an amazing trip.

Hello Nick,

This was no trip, this is where I live
--
Colin

[David M]

Lovely pictures. It must have been an amazing trip.

Hello Nick,

This was no trip, this is where I live
--
Colin

Don't rub it in, Colin.

[CFB]

Isn't it interesting how Provence orange tips nearly always rest on yellow flowers

Hello Guy,

Yes, here's another one I saw recently on yellow flowers.

--
Colin

[Pete Eeles]

Superb photos, Colin!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Lee Hurrell]

Isn't it interesting how Provence orange tips nearly always rest on yellow flowers while orange tips do so much less often?

I would imagine it has to do with camouflage?

Colin, some stunning photos.

Best wishes

Lee