Thanks Guy,
I think I'll take on board your pearls of wisdom as I go and do a mass post edit when all is in place,I know ID just from photographs is sometimes not enough and undersides help as well,trouble is I'm at that stage in my butterflying hobby that I just see lovely insects and want to photograph them and think about the rest later.I got to grips with some underside shots of the Grizzled's later on!
Hey Chris,
I guess I got lucky,I only had to write-off two days due to rain,but when visiting upland areas I always expect the worst!
Thanks again chaps
Dave
Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
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Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
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- Posts: 215
- Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:25 pm
- Location: Near Gatwick
Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Wednesday 4th June 2014
The first day written off due to rain,did'nt do too much.....pondered the Heath/Provencal/Meadow thing a bit more............went to bed early.........Mellicta,mellicta,mellicta aaarrrggghhhhhh!
I'm sure somebody said it was going to get hot.........
Thursday 5th June 2014
Part one
Not sure what happened,mentally today,I felt an urge to drive!Cabin Fever maybe,cooped up for a whole day,anyway decided to take a trip up to some proper high stuff.
Firstly though,let me talk about cherries,I love cherries,in my eyes the king of all fruits.The local supermarkets were chucking out a kilo of these,for about £1.50,about a third of the price back here in the UK,I tucked into bucketloads of these during the trip.Not only did the supermarkets have loads though,so did the trees,and these were free,providing they were on public land or in the cottage garden here.When we arrived the tree in the cottage garden was brimming with ripe little beauties until me,armed with a washing up bowl,started to systematically detach fruit from tree.However I wasn't the only animal that knew about this tree,the local Red Squirrel also knew about the lush bounty on this tree!
Surba Red Squirrel The tussle of man vs squirrel didn't last much longer as between us we emptied the tree of its fruit in the next couple of days.I did feel slightly guilty and pondered one of the seven deadly sins,but hey they were free!
Quickly checked the adjacent meadow where the first butterfly was on the wing at 8.46 getting earlier A local Dingy showing itself nice and early Decided to drive out of the area a bit today and have a look at a Ski Station.....
South on the Andorra road to Les Cabannes,then follow the signs to Station de Beille.
The road up to this plateau wound on and on through lush tree covered slopes,it wasn't until the treeline was passed that I could see some truly magnificent views,i stopped for a look around First thing to note was how spring was slow up at these altitudes and the absolute masses of Small Tortoisehells,clouds of them.Them and Grizzleds seemed to be all that was around.
A few Grizzled's I then drove to the Ski Station itself,immense views Had a wander around and it was pretty lonely,not a lot going on at this altitude A Green Hairstreak colony at nearly 6000ft bought a smile to my face And another Grizzled That was it really,a few tourists,not a lot of flowers around,some cattle,some wall lizards and masses of Geotrupes dor beetles having a mass gathering on some cow dung,never seen anything like this I then rolled all the way down the mountain,even though it was 17degrees at the top I don't think there had been many days like this.Every inviting verge that I rolled into was just masses of Small Tortoiseshells and Grizzled Skippers,not a lot else could break through,amazing really.
Back soon
The first day written off due to rain,did'nt do too much.....pondered the Heath/Provencal/Meadow thing a bit more............went to bed early.........Mellicta,mellicta,mellicta aaarrrggghhhhhh!
I'm sure somebody said it was going to get hot.........
Thursday 5th June 2014
Part one
Not sure what happened,mentally today,I felt an urge to drive!Cabin Fever maybe,cooped up for a whole day,anyway decided to take a trip up to some proper high stuff.
Firstly though,let me talk about cherries,I love cherries,in my eyes the king of all fruits.The local supermarkets were chucking out a kilo of these,for about £1.50,about a third of the price back here in the UK,I tucked into bucketloads of these during the trip.Not only did the supermarkets have loads though,so did the trees,and these were free,providing they were on public land or in the cottage garden here.When we arrived the tree in the cottage garden was brimming with ripe little beauties until me,armed with a washing up bowl,started to systematically detach fruit from tree.However I wasn't the only animal that knew about this tree,the local Red Squirrel also knew about the lush bounty on this tree!
Surba Red Squirrel The tussle of man vs squirrel didn't last much longer as between us we emptied the tree of its fruit in the next couple of days.I did feel slightly guilty and pondered one of the seven deadly sins,but hey they were free!
Quickly checked the adjacent meadow where the first butterfly was on the wing at 8.46 getting earlier A local Dingy showing itself nice and early Decided to drive out of the area a bit today and have a look at a Ski Station.....
South on the Andorra road to Les Cabannes,then follow the signs to Station de Beille.
The road up to this plateau wound on and on through lush tree covered slopes,it wasn't until the treeline was passed that I could see some truly magnificent views,i stopped for a look around First thing to note was how spring was slow up at these altitudes and the absolute masses of Small Tortoisehells,clouds of them.Them and Grizzleds seemed to be all that was around.
A few Grizzled's I then drove to the Ski Station itself,immense views Had a wander around and it was pretty lonely,not a lot going on at this altitude A Green Hairstreak colony at nearly 6000ft bought a smile to my face And another Grizzled That was it really,a few tourists,not a lot of flowers around,some cattle,some wall lizards and masses of Geotrupes dor beetles having a mass gathering on some cow dung,never seen anything like this I then rolled all the way down the mountain,even though it was 17degrees at the top I don't think there had been many days like this.Every inviting verge that I rolled into was just masses of Small Tortoiseshells and Grizzled Skippers,not a lot else could break through,amazing really.
Back soon
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
- Charles Nicol
- Posts: 1603
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 12:57 pm
- Location: Cambridge
Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
thanks for another excellent installment Dave !
i loved your pic of the squirrel eating cherries. those dung beetles know how to party !
i am off to France next week... it would be lovely to see a Camberwell Beauty... fingers crossed
Charles
i loved your pic of the squirrel eating cherries. those dung beetles know how to party !
i am off to France next week... it would be lovely to see a Camberwell Beauty... fingers crossed
Charles
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Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Thanks Charles,
Looking forward to those Camberwell shots ,good luck with your trip.
Dave
Looking forward to those Camberwell shots ,good luck with your trip.
Dave
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
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Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Thursday 5th June 2014
Part two
I drove into Tarascon for supplies at the Super U and realised it was starting to get rather warm at the bottom of these valleys.Had a siesta at the cottage,my wife was hovering by the pool......and 25 degrees C,where is that little degrees symbol on a keyboard?,was noted in the garden.Thought I'd try my luck back up the Saurat valley again and see if any of those Ringlets would let me photograph them,or at least try and fathom some behaviour patterns.
Drove near to Col de Port and found a small damp area with definite Heath Fritillaries. Some more Mazarine Blues Then as the light was just drifting to that lovely angle,I tried to get the colours on the male Sooty's wings to twinkle,not sure.... I chased some Ringlets around but it was quite warm and I'm sure they fly into the dark!No luck,but no booties today Got back to get a Large White in the meadow by the cottage..which ended, a starting to get warm, day. Back soon.
Dave
Part two
I drove into Tarascon for supplies at the Super U and realised it was starting to get rather warm at the bottom of these valleys.Had a siesta at the cottage,my wife was hovering by the pool......and 25 degrees C,where is that little degrees symbol on a keyboard?,was noted in the garden.Thought I'd try my luck back up the Saurat valley again and see if any of those Ringlets would let me photograph them,or at least try and fathom some behaviour patterns.
Drove near to Col de Port and found a small damp area with definite Heath Fritillaries. Some more Mazarine Blues Then as the light was just drifting to that lovely angle,I tried to get the colours on the male Sooty's wings to twinkle,not sure.... I chased some Ringlets around but it was quite warm and I'm sure they fly into the dark!No luck,but no booties today Got back to get a Large White in the meadow by the cottage..which ended, a starting to get warm, day. Back soon.
Dave
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
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- Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:25 pm
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Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Friday 6th June 2014
It was getting warm,a rather uncomfy night,it also stayed cloudy till about 10.30 this morning, but as soon as that sun broke through,whoosh
Morning! Went to the meadows under Calames Roc first
First Swallowtail nectaring on the Scabious,smashed through a bramble thicket...........ouch,got torn to shreds(at this point I pondered this peaceful hobby). Old onetail Swallowtail! Big Orange Frit racing by,please slow up,please slow up,hoorah Temperature was now starting to get a bit silly as were the butterflies,but I persevered for a little while longer before it became impossible. A couple of firsts,Marbled Whites and Small Skippers beginning to show. That was that,heading towards 30 degrees now,Orange Tips,Brimstones and Small Coppers almost everywhere. I then left it till after 3pm before venturing out again and that was my first look at the meadows,by the road,under the Roc de Sedour,plus venturing up to scree for the first time.
The meadow I became very fond of in the following days,over 25 species of butterflies noted here,top left,heavily laden cherry tree..........yep. First stand out Fritillaries were Spotteds Clouded Yellows were beginning to appear,and slow up with the sun now lowering a bit Then Swallowtails began to swoop down,it was just a matter of time before one of my favourite shots ever was in the camera,worth noting how approachable they can be when knackered for the day. Yep,
Back soon.
It was getting warm,a rather uncomfy night,it also stayed cloudy till about 10.30 this morning, but as soon as that sun broke through,whoosh
Morning! Went to the meadows under Calames Roc first
First Swallowtail nectaring on the Scabious,smashed through a bramble thicket...........ouch,got torn to shreds(at this point I pondered this peaceful hobby). Old onetail Swallowtail! Big Orange Frit racing by,please slow up,please slow up,hoorah Temperature was now starting to get a bit silly as were the butterflies,but I persevered for a little while longer before it became impossible. A couple of firsts,Marbled Whites and Small Skippers beginning to show. That was that,heading towards 30 degrees now,Orange Tips,Brimstones and Small Coppers almost everywhere. I then left it till after 3pm before venturing out again and that was my first look at the meadows,by the road,under the Roc de Sedour,plus venturing up to scree for the first time.
The meadow I became very fond of in the following days,over 25 species of butterflies noted here,top left,heavily laden cherry tree..........yep. First stand out Fritillaries were Spotteds Clouded Yellows were beginning to appear,and slow up with the sun now lowering a bit Then Swallowtails began to swoop down,it was just a matter of time before one of my favourite shots ever was in the camera,worth noting how approachable they can be when knackered for the day. Yep,
Back soon.
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
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Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Friday 6th June 2014
cont........
The Swallowtail left me felling fulfilled but a surprise,to leave me doubly fulfilled was up ahead,coming down off the scree slopes and kicking through some grass,what I first took to be a rather large cricket took to wing,but no,turned out to be the only mantid of the trip,and a beauty it was to...
This is either Empusa pennata or E.fasciata,very close relatives of each other and just waiting for clarification. About 4" long and a very good flier and extremely alert,it watched my every move,utterly superb! All made up now!
Wrapped up today in the meadow watching the butterflies calming down for the day,and the human as well........with a beer and some cherries.(free)(not the beer,the cherries) The last to be photographed was a female Glanville..........I think! Hot days are...................hot!
Thanks
Back soon
cont........
The Swallowtail left me felling fulfilled but a surprise,to leave me doubly fulfilled was up ahead,coming down off the scree slopes and kicking through some grass,what I first took to be a rather large cricket took to wing,but no,turned out to be the only mantid of the trip,and a beauty it was to...
This is either Empusa pennata or E.fasciata,very close relatives of each other and just waiting for clarification. About 4" long and a very good flier and extremely alert,it watched my every move,utterly superb! All made up now!
Wrapped up today in the meadow watching the butterflies calming down for the day,and the human as well........with a beer and some cherries.(free)(not the beer,the cherries) The last to be photographed was a female Glanville..........I think! Hot days are...................hot!
Thanks
Back soon
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
- Chris Jackson
- Posts: 1929
- Joined: Mon May 06, 2013 6:35 am
- Location: Marseilles, France
Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Nice photos and commentary Dave. What a good holiday you had!
Chris
Chris
Last edited by Chris Jackson on Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Great images, Dave. Your Provencal Short Tailed Blue has made me most envious.
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Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
Saturday 7th June 2014
So that heatwave arrived,too hot in the valleys,I did venture out but a tad sapping.Some stuff worth noting though.
Hitting 34 degrees C today and I really should have found some altitude but just for experience I endured today in the valley. My first Weavers Fritillaries Male and Female Spotted Frittilaries And lastly,on a way too hot day..(lightweight!) Wandered into Tarascon to find a bar for the evening.......that was lovely.
Oh I did see a Cleopatra.......then it was gone......
So that heatwave arrived,too hot in the valleys,I did venture out but a tad sapping.Some stuff worth noting though.
Hitting 34 degrees C today and I really should have found some altitude but just for experience I endured today in the valley. My first Weavers Fritillaries Male and Female Spotted Frittilaries And lastly,on a way too hot day..(lightweight!) Wandered into Tarascon to find a bar for the evening.......that was lovely.
Oh I did see a Cleopatra.......then it was gone......
Regards
Dave Browne
Dave Browne
Re: Two valleys in the Pyrenees Ariegeoises PNR
If I could comment rather belatedly on your Empusa, it would have to be E.pennata, as according to Fauna Europaea E.fasciata does not occur anywhere west of Italy, and is mainly Balkan.
M.
M.