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Hi folks.
Here we are for a week's holiday in the Aveyron départment, in France.
We are staying in the medieval village of Najac, in the middle of nowhere: It is cloudy and rainy but mild with sunny spells, and during one of these spells I managed to find a spot in an overgrown field that attracts Sooty Copper - a new species for me. The conditions were such that I managed to get male and female upperside and underside views in just one photo session.
male: male: female: female: Abandoned overgrown field with Sooty Coppers: Grassy patches within the overgrown field, about 8 meters in diameter, each patrolled by a male Sooty Copper. However, here is the problem, I also spotted this butterfly which intrigues me. It was in the same field as the Sooty Coppers, and was the same size as them. At a first glance the markings reminded me of a Small Copper, but this individual was as big as a Sooty. Could it be an oversize Small Copper, or an aberrant Sooty Copper? It was BIG compared to those Small Coppers I usually see in the Med . Comments welcome: Cheers, Chris

Small Coppers vary in size, Chris. I've seen tiny ones and I've also seen large ones.

At Glasdrum Wood last May I saw a Small Copper so big that I initially thought it was a Cinnabar moth!

What's interesting is how scanty the markings are on this individual for a southern French phlaeas. Usually, they're much bolder than their UK counterparts.

Hi David,
The markings are scanty, however I will class this individual as a Small Copper.
Thanks,
Chris

an excellent read Chris ! i look forward to seeing more pics of the unfeasibly large butterflies of Najac

Charles Nicol wrote:an excellent read Chris ! i look forward to seeing more pics of the unfeasibly large butterflies of Najac

Hi there Charles,
Regarding the "Small" Copper above, I think that the butterflies in this region must feed very well to reach such a size .

(Talking about feeding well, tomorrow, instead of self-catering, we humans hope to be eating out and feasting on local Canard confit (duck) and 'aligot'. Miam miam!!. ).

Meanwhile, in the same abandoned field as the Sooty Coppers above, I think I've found Heath Fritillaries although I'm not 100% sure:
1st individual - male ?: I don't remember but this underside possibly belongs to the 1st individual : 2nd individual - female ?: This is the Château of Najac, overlooking the medieval village near where we are staying: More about 'aligot' tomorrow .
Cheers, Chris

I would say those are both male heath fritillaries.

Guy

Thanks Guy.
One individual appears a little darker than the other, though I admit there is little in it.
I must try other spots in the vicinity tomorrow whilst the weather holds.
Cheers, Chris

If Heath Fritillaries are just emerging, Chris, I expect you to be almost sick of the sight of them in a few days.

They really are beyond ubiquitous in southern France come late spring and through early to mid summer.

am really enjoying these pics. is that a river below the village ?

i had aligot in Montpellier... it certainly fills you up

Charles

Hi David,
Yesterday the Heath Fritillaries were certainly in number and 'getting in the way' slightly, along with the Glanvilles.

Yes, Charles,
The Château of Najac is situated in a meander of the Aveyron river and is protected on nearly all sides by it. A train line also runs alongside the river. I recommend a visit to the top of the tower with the view all around .

Well that about wraps up our week in Najac. The only remarkable species of butterfly for me were the Sooty Copper and Heath Fritillary . Apart from that I saw Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue, Glanville, Wood White, Wall, 1 Swallowtail + 1 Scarce Swallowtail = nothing out of the ordinary for France. I was hoping for something more exotic in this area, but this was only 1 week out of a whole season .

Small Heath: Eating out for the gourmets - this is for Charles :
Starters - Salade de Gésiers (duck's stomach salad): Mains - Canard confit (duck) and aligot
(aligot is basically mashed spuds with left-over cheese mixed in (no wasted cheese) - this, amongst others, is what gives the people of the Aveyron their national reputation of being 'very close to their money'). Pud - Croustillade aux pommes (apple tart): Can't wait to get back to Marseilles and see what's new on the BF scene - Meadow Browns should be out now .
Cheers, Chris

thanks for the foodie pics Chris !

i came across Salade de Gésiers in Carcassonne... unusual

aligot is nice with a crisp white wine ?

the apple croustillade looks scrumptieux

hope to see some more of your butterflies soon

Charles

Most French supermarkets carry tinned confit de gesiers (gizzards to them as speaks English). They are very cheap and absolutely delicious. Always worth bringing a couple of tins back .

Antoine M.

Much as I love France, these are definitely not on my shopping list.