www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

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

Lovely pictures. It must have been an amazing trip.

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

NickMorgan wrote:Lovely pictures. It must have been an amazing trip.

Hello Nick,

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

CFB wrote:

NickMorgan wrote: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.

padfield wrote: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

Superb photos, Colin!

Cheers,

- Pete

padfield wrote: 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