I'll post a few more Provencal beasties later on, but now onto the final (and most exciting) part of the Holiday, the Alps. Unfortunately we only had 2 days in the Alps, only one morning of which wasn't raining, nevertheless, as ever, I went away awestruck by the quantity and stunning variety of butterflies. On our journey to where we were staying we were lucky enough to drive through the Little St Bernard pass - safe to say I was lost for words at the stunning displays of wildflowers tumbling into rushing torrents, these with Apollos gliding over the scabious heads - just incredible!
So, the butterflies, in our one butterflying morning we managed to clock up 40 species, with many of the iconic ones which I have long gazed at with awe in field guides and never dreamed of seeing in the flesh.
Golden Skippers were around in good numbers with fairly even proportions Essex and Small.
I was delighted to photograph both species roosting together on one very cloudy afternoon.
There were also a few pyrgus species around, including these two Olive Skippers (kindly identified by Guy).
Black - Veined Whites were common once again.
The real highlight (alongside the Apollos which I never managed to photograph) were several absolutely stunning Scarce Coppers.
A few nice Swallowtails were also cruising around in the meadows.
Kidney Vetch was abundant on the poor, rocky soil - and as a result, so were Small Blues.
Other Blues included Silver - Studded, also very common.
I was pleased also, to see several beautiful Mazarines.
Roosting near the Mazarine was my first ever Mountain Ringlet (kindly Identified by Guy).
Titania's and lesser Marbled were the commonest fritillaries seen, but we also noted Pearl - Bordered, Niobe and Dark Green.
After our first walk we did have another, higher up at around 2300m. I like to think we would have seen things like Glandon Blue and Mountain Clouded Yellow had the weather been better, but who knows?
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