Swiss update
Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:01 pm
I haven't been out much at all since Asha died, mostly because it seems so strange and empty setting out without a companion at my heels. But I did get down to the Rhône Valley today, where the season is very clearly drawing to a close now.
Red admirals now outnumber painted ladies, and look distinctly brighter and fresher than their cousins.
The only fritillaries flying today were Queens of Spain, which as readers of my occasional updates know are pretty much continuously brooded here throughout the year:
At one point on my walk a marbled ringlet (Erebia montana) was feeding on Buddleia with the Queens:
Here is another shot of the marbled ringlet:
The blues were represented by common blue, Adonis blue and Chapman's blue:
(common)
(Adonis)
(Chapman's)
Clouded yellows are still looking in good form (Berger's was flying too):
For the Satyrids, wall browns and tree graylings were prominent:
(wall)
(tree grayling)
Apart from numerous small and southern small whites there was really very little else about. Autumn is very much here!!
Guy
Red admirals now outnumber painted ladies, and look distinctly brighter and fresher than their cousins.
The only fritillaries flying today were Queens of Spain, which as readers of my occasional updates know are pretty much continuously brooded here throughout the year:
At one point on my walk a marbled ringlet (Erebia montana) was feeding on Buddleia with the Queens:
Here is another shot of the marbled ringlet:
The blues were represented by common blue, Adonis blue and Chapman's blue:
(common)
(Adonis)
(Chapman's)
Clouded yellows are still looking in good form (Berger's was flying too):
For the Satyrids, wall browns and tree graylings were prominent:
(wall)
(tree grayling)
Apart from numerous small and southern small whites there was really very little else about. Autumn is very much here!!
Guy
I've been all serious and meditative for a bit - it's a bit of an insult to a departed friend if you can just carry on as normal when they go! But it was great to sit in the sun today guzzling beer and watching butterflies on the Buddleia and I hope to be filling these pages again with all my usual verbal diarrhoea and misidentifications before very long! 