iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I’ve just returned from a week of exploring the magnificent peaks, valleys and immense cirques of French Pyrenees with @naturetrek.bsky.social. The mountains are home to a stunning array of butterflies and birds but for me, the flora stole the show.

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

While finalising arrangements for August's total solar eclipse, northern Spain has provided delights of the Narcissus kind! N. triandrus, N. bulbocodium and the diminutive N. minor.

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Cruising towards Raja Ampat we spent yesterday viewing (and then snorkelling above!) a pod of Sperm Whales. This morning we went in search of the Kofiau Paradise-kingfisher a beautiful bird that's endemic to one small island in eastern Indonesia. Travelling with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Ahead of an 11 night wildlife cruise across eastern Indonesia, a day in Tangkoko (Sulawesi) provided encounters with many of the islands endemic birds and mammals and reptiles. Travelling with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

The Waxbill, a bird of sub-Saharan Africa, has become naturalised in Portugal and a common sight. This morning we watched these birds in the hedgerows and feeding on the seedheads of rushes. In Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Following Storm Claudia there's a lot of water in the fields around the Tagus Estuary. Many of the birds have moved to different locations, some gathering in huge flocks. An extraordinary start to a week in Portugal with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

We've seen many waterfalls whilst travelling in Iceland this week but Svartifoss, with its basalt columns, must be the most pleasing. Leading for @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

It was wonderful to see several Wood Whites at Bury Ditches yesterday, but better still comes the news that they've hopped over the border into Wales. butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blo...

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Dozens, possibly hundreds of Chalk Hill Blues on Chalton Down (East Hampshire) this morning. They favoured the slopes with shorter grass, nectaring on Marjoram. @savebutterflies.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Last week I travelled by train through Switzerland’s Upper Engadine. The Diavolezza cable-car took me to an altitude of nearly 3,000m to find high alpine plants such as: Glacier Crowfoot, King of the Alps, Mossy Saxifrage and Alpine Toadflax.

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

With so much to see it’s difficult to select highlights, but here are a few more images from last week’s tour in the Valais region of Switzerland. Nutcracker, Clouded Apollo, Red Helleborine and Martagon Lily. Guiding for @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

The abundance of nature and glorious alpine vistas create a problem: where do you look?! Let's start the alpine flowers. In the Swiss canton of Valais with @naturetrek.bsky.social.

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

What a treat to see an exquisite White Admiral this afternoon and just 300m from my front door. Hampshire, UK. #ukbutterflies #hampshirewildlife

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

The Zarnesti Gorge, close to our guesthouse, has provided our groups with some special moments these last two weeks. In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social.

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Brown Bears have featured heavily in this week's 'Wildlife of Transylvania' tour with sightings from a hide in the forest and from the terrace of our guesthouse. In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social.

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Today was filled with some sensationally colourful wildlife. Heath and Knapweed Fritillary, Sand Lizard and European Bee-eaters. In Romania with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

A slow drive along a reed-fringed channel provided some super views of Little Bittern and Great Reed Warbler. Lake Kerkini with @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

On our final day in Northern Greece we visited the Orvilos mountains close to the border with Bulgaria, a region of karst limestone cliffs. The rich flora attracted butterflies including Sooty Copper, Gruner's Orange Tip, Swallowtail and Queen of Spain Fritillary. Guiding for @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Viewing the abundant birdlife from a boat on Lake Kerkini must be one of the finest nature experience in Europe. Among the highlights from yesterday... 2 species of Pelican, Pygmy and Great Cormorants, Spoonbill, 'Marsh Terns', Black-necked Grebes. Squacco and Night Herons. @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Our first full day at Greece's Lake Kerkini provided not only prolific birdlife but also some fine butterflies - Eastern Festoon and Queen of Spain Fritillary. Leading for @naturetrek.bsky.social

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

A Small Tortoiseshell in Hampshire this afternoon – a rare sight in recent times. Let’s hope the fortunes of this beautiful butterfly improve this year. #ukbutterflies

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

A bright, frosty morning at Longmoor and the mellifluous descending call of Woodlarks filled the air. #HantBirds #HantsBirding #birds

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David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

A fine week of Portuguese nature concluded with super views of Common Cranes and Great Bustards in the Alentejo region with @naturetrek@bsky.social

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