iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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

Our base, the delightful Hôtel La Brèche de Roland in the village of Gedre, was also the lodging place of the 18th century botanist and explorer Louis Ramond de Carbonnières, after whom the Ramonda myconi (Pyrenean Violet) is named.

020

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.

141

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.

010

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

052

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

050

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

061

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

041

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

061

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...

010

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

040

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

In addition to the amazing flora, there were some cracking animals too… Alpine Marmot, Purple-edged Copper, Northern Wheatear and Alpine Marsh Fritillary.

000

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

Early morning walks through the woods near Pontresina were special. Below the pines the rocky terrain was clothed in mosses, lichens and masses of Twinflowers – Linnaea borealis – said to be the favourite flower of Carl Linneaus.

110

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.

120

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

022

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

Then there are the fritillaries... (Asian, Knapweed, High Brown and Heath).

120

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.

141

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

010

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.

031

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.

041

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

182

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

061

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

061

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

051

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

082

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

040

David Phillips @atomstogalaxies.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Another factor is latitude. If an eclipse occurs close to the equator the ground beneath the observer is moving at a greater speed, due to the rotation of earth, so the shadow of the moon passes over the observer more slowly. In 2027 the greatest eclipse is at 33°N. In 2026 it's at 65° N.

010

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

080

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

030