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Jon Dunn

@dunnjons.bsky.social
4.8K followers 977 following 1.1K posts

Nature writer, photographer, tour leader. FLS. BSBI Shetland county recorder ‘Obscure rarity’ Author for Basic Books, Bloomsbury Books, Hachette, Princeton University Press Rep’d: Peters, Fraser & Dunlop www.jondunn.com

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Reposted by Jon Dunn
Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 9h
That's #Leptember over for another year. We'd like to celebrate not just butterflies, but the people who care so much about them - our guests, with whom we've enjoyed so many wonderful moments this past year. Here's just a tiny sample of the feedback they've shared with us.
A small selection of testimonials received lately from Mariposa guests - thank you all!
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 19h
Tour update 🚨 As of this morning, now just one place remaining to join Mariposa founder and European butterfly finder extraordinaire David Moore for Spring Butterflies of the French Pyrenees: www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Violet Copper (Lycaena helle) © Clive Burrows
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Sarah @sarahfaulkner.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
A celebration of Small Copper. 🦋 Thrilled to find my mint covered in my all-time favourite butterflies, busy nectaring. A recent emergence? Some lovely variety - classic bright orange to darker sooty tones & one with tiny pale dots on the hindwing. Just glorious. 🧡 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social
Some of the Small Copper nectaring on the flowers of the mint plant in my Weymouth allotment. Such beautiful, feisty butterflies (though all tranquil here).
Some showing the classic bright orange, others with a darker, sooty palate, and one with small pale dots on the hindwing. All fabulous. What a treat!
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I can't wait to lead this tour! Serbia justly has a stellar reputation as a butterfly-watching destination.
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Tour update 🚨 Another place secured yesterday on the 2028 edition of our Serbian butterfly tour - and this one by a guest who's done the tour before. That speaks louder than words just how good this tour is... www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi) © Clive BurrowsGuest testimonial from our False Comma and Summer Butterflies of Serbia tour
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Helsinki Birder @helsinkibirder.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"They have taken the bridge and the Second Hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes... drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. The shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out...They are coming."
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Good morning & welcome to a new week! This week's featured tour is Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula. Europe's natural rock garden is a wonderful orchid-hunting venue with massive diversity to see there. The tour generates a donation to @bsbibotany.bsky.social www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Ophrys sipontensis © Jon Dunn
Ophrys apulica © Jon Dunn
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A 5 mile transect walked the length of my island home yesterday was surprisingly productive for @wildflowerhour.bsky.social material - though no shocks until the very last, a Sea Pink running extraordinarily late in the year. #WildflowerHour
A collage of wildflowers (and an autumnal interloper) from a walk in Shetland yesterday
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Tour update 🚨 Unsurprisingly, given the record-breaking total of species recorded by our group this year, and with the combined experience of @selbypaul.bsky.social & Miki Vigano leading it, Butterflies of the French Alps is now fully booked. Remaining 2027 tours: mariposanature.com/calendar
Alpine Blue (Agriades orbitulus) © Jon Dunn
Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia) © Jon Dunn
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Distraction from Team Mariposa work this morning. A Barred Warbler is skulking through the bushes in my Shetland garden.
Barred Warbler (Curruca nisoria) © Jon Dunn [archive image from 2023 - no camera with me today!]
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Tour update 🚨 The 2027 edition of our highly popular Serbian tour, False Comma and Summer Butterflies of Serbia, moves to guaranteed departure status this morning with another booking received, which means a guaranteed donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Just a tiny handful of the wonderful butterflies we expect to see in Serbia, images © Janos Olah & Clive Burrows

[clockwise from top left] Balkan Copper, False Comma, Freyer's Fritillary, Russian Heath, Yellow-banded Skipper, Lesser Lattice Brown
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wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Joining in with #Wildflowerhour is easy! Look for wild & naturalised blooms from across Britain & Ireland during the week & then share Sunday 8-9pm!
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
'Another wonderful holiday with Mariposa. The team not only know their wildlife but also take excellent care of their guests' We love hearing that our guests have enjoyed the whole experience of travelling with us. Thank you so much, Jenny, for these kind words!
Guest testimonial from our Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour
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Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Working on the contents pages for my forthcoming book, GREENSHIRTS. Nazis. Hydroelectric dams. HP Lovecraft. Vikings. Mussolini. Deep Ecology. Trump. The Unabomber. Folklore. The National Front. Tarka The Otter. A RICH STEW INDEED.
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Patrick Barkham @patrickbarkham.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I've written Joe Harkness's obituary for the Guardian. I hope it pays good tribute to a wonderful man who was brave, honest and made the world a better place. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Joe Harkness obituary
Writer, teacher and naturalist who explored the effects of the natural world on neurodivergency
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
'What a way to round off the summer! I am again impressed by the dedication of Team Mariposa, always going the extra mile to ensure every guest gets the most from their tour' The very first testimonial we received for last year's Autumn Exotica in Andalusia - thank you Kirsty! 🦋
Guest testimonial from our Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Our Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour, our featured tour of the week presently, isn't just about butterflies. A superb range of pioneering North African dragonfly species are also seen during the week, including the firm fan favourite, Violet Dropwing. mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) © Jon Dunn
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Time spent in Andalusia at this time of year is always richly rewarded for dragonflies. Back home now, I'm already missing them... but they'll be there for my return next year with @mariposanature.bsky.social. #Dragonfly #Odonata #WildlifePhotography
Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) © Jon Dunn
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma) © Jon Dunn
Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) © Jon Dunn
Northern Banded Groundling (Brachythemis impartita) © Jon Dunn
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
'Mariposa guides are friendly, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable. Recommended without reservation' Yet more lovely feedback from a guest on our Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour. Thank you, Ian! 🙏 Our tours are friendly and enjoyable affairs for all concerned.
Guest testimonial for our Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour
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Butterfly Conservation Europe @europebutterfly.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
And we are very grateful for your support at this critical time for Europe’ s butterflies and moths. This year, together with partner in almost every country, we produced a new Red List of European Butterflies and the moth version is due this autumn. We are gearing up to take more action
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We're proud we were the first wildlife tour company to commit to support @europebutterfly.bsky.social. If you'd like to read more about the work Butterfly Conservation Europe does, and/or make a personal donation to support them, they have a superb website: bc-europe.eu/index.php
Butterfly Conservation Europe's logo, and a Large Blue, just one of Europe's threatened butterfly species that BCE's science-led work helps to protect and conserve
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Just a couple of days after our final butterfly tour of the year concluded, we've made our donation to support the brilliant, science-led work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. We do this after every one of our butterfly tours - our commitment to BCE is immediate, and unwavering.
Butterfly Conservation Europe's logo, and a Danube Clouded Yellow, just one of Europe's threatened butterfly species that BCE's science-led work helps to protect and conserve
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Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Dr Stuart Desjardins, current Editor-in-Chief of #BritishandIrishBotany is looking to stand down at the end of 2026. The search is on to find a successor: could that be you? There will be lots of support on offer: bsbi.org/blog/2026/09... Details of the role & how to apply: bsbi.org/about/people...
bsbi.org
Changing of the guard at British & Irish Botany
The BSBI is for everyone who cares about the wild plants of Britain and Ireland.
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
'Albarracin – simply the most picturesque place to be based for this outstanding butterflying experience' A lovely guest testimonial for Butterflies of Montes Universales - thank you, Kirsty! The townsfolk are warm and welcoming; many have become good friends over the years we've been visiting.
Guest testimonial for our Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Tour update 🚨 Bookings coming in steadily for 2027 tours and beyond - another in the past day for the 2028 edition of our highly successful Serbian butterflies tour, featuring the simply gorgeous False Comma. mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
False Comma (Nymphalis vaualbum) © János Oláh
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Really looking forward to leading this one next year for the fourth consecutive year. It's a lovely way to end the year's butterflying.
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Good morning & welcome to a new week! Our featured tour of the week, Autumn Exotica in Andalusia, promises a host of butterflies rare in a European context, and a donation to support the brilliant science-led conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social: www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
(l-r, top to bottom)

Monarch, African Babul Blue, Two-tailed Pasha, Desert Orange Tip
Mediterranean Skipper, False Mallow Skipper, Plain Tiger, Zeller's Skipper
African Babul Blue, Desert Orange Tip, Desert Babul Blue, African Grass Blue

Images © Jon Dunn & David Moore
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Richard Smyth @rsmythfreelance.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Jesus. Shocking and terrible news. Not sure what to say. Joe was one of the good guys. Fucking, fucking hell.
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A pleasant surprise yesterday to find that my patented pasha paste also had its charms for Tree Grayling, when this individual dropped in to sample the dubious delights to be found on the bark of a cork oak.
Tree Grayling (Hipparchia statilinus) © Jon Dunn
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"The Mariposa team delivered spectacularly" More lovely feedback received this week for our Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour - thank you, Roderick! Montes is a jewel in the crown of European butterfly-watching, and we're delighted our guests enjoy it so much with us.
Guest testimonial for our Butterflies of the Montes Universales tour
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Helen Bennett 🌿 @helenbennett.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Today I saw a field full of beautiful Common Toadflax. Such an uplifting sight especially as I have never seen these gorgeous wildflowers before! The pollinators loved them too! 🫶📷💛🐝 #Photography #InsectThursday #Invert #ColorADay #YellowThu #BloomScrolling #WildFlowerHour #Scape #Nature #ECK
A photograph of a vertical stalk of Common Toadflax flowers being visited by a hoverfly in mid-air coming in to land. The background blurred, soft-focus of the vibrant green grass. The plant features an upright green stem topped with a cluster of pale yellow flowers that heavily resemble snapdragons. Each blossom has an elongated, downward-pointing spur and a two-lipped opening highlighted by a bright, golden-orange centre. Several unopened green buds sit tightly clustered at the very peak of the stalk, while fully opened flowers flare out lower down.  On the rightmost petal is a hoverfly captured mid-flight, its clear wings blurred from rapid motion with its legs just touching the petal. The insect features a black body with distinctive, bright yellow bands across its abdomen. It faces left, leaning its head directly into the orange throat of the blossom to gather nectar.  Taken on a bright sunny day, September 2026 UK
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Up into the hills today in Andalusia with my patented pasha paste ready to deploy as bait... and it worked a treat, luring a couple of Two-tailed Pasha to come and check us out. One settled and buried its tongue in the goo for ages, allowing a close approach...
Patented Pasha Paste oozing from a crack on a treeTwo-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) © Jon Dunn
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Given the incredible things we've seen on this tour in recent years, I'm expecting it to fill pretty quickly for 2027. Hope to see you there...
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Having Spain's pre-eminent butterfly scientist with our group this week has been such an honour, and it was wonderful to see Prof. Miguel Munguira's delight and hear his insights while watching African Babul Blue ovipositing on their acacia larval foodplant.
African Babul Blue (Azanus jesous) laying an egg on the flower buds of acacia, the larval foodplant © Jon Dunn
African Babul Blue (Azanus jesous) laying an egg on the newly emerging leaves of acacia, the larval foodplant © Jon Dunn
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Another pioneering African butterfly species that's now well-established in suitable habitat here in Andalusia is the charming Zeller's Skipper. A large skipper, with an engaging feisty character, like a terrier in butterfly form.
Zeller's Skipper (Borbo borbonica) on the flower of Squirting Cucumber (Ecballium elaterium) © Jon Dunn
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Dr Marcus Rhodes @marcusrhodes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Thrilled to find a Queen of Spain Fritillary in Cot Valley, St Just, this afternoon! My first encounter with this wonderful butterfly on British soil.
A Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly basking on asphalt. The upperside of its wings are orange with black spots.A side-on view of a Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly basking on asphalt. The upperside of its wings are orange with black spots.A Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly resting on asphalt with its wings partially closed. The underside of its wings are orange with large, pearly white spots.A Queen of Spain Fritillary butterfly basking on asphalt. The upperside of its wings are orange with black spots.
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Absolutely elated to have seen my second pioneering babul blue species in Europe in consecutive years with one of my @mariposanature.bsky.social groups. Last year it was self-found Desert Babul Blue; this year African Babul Blue, c/o some very fine site gen from a kind friend.
Desert Babul Blue (Azanus ubaldus), Andalusia 2025 © Jon Dunn
African Babul Blue (Azanus jesous), Andalusia 2026 © Jon Dunn
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Postcard live from the field. OMG! Well that's huge. For the second consecutive year our Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour guests have enjoyed a babul blue species - the rarest of African butterfly vagrants to mainland Europe. And this year it's a different species - African Babul Blue!
African Babul Blue (Azanus jesous) © Jon Dunn
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Tour update 🚨 A booking today for Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees moves that tour to guaranteed departure status for next summer. And you can join Mariposa founder David Moore and @europebutterfly.bsky.social co-founder Chris van Swaay there too! www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Gavarnie Blue (Agriades pyrenaicus) © Jon Dunn
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Helen Bennett 🌿 @helenbennett.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Good morning. A beautiful Small Heath butterfly seen feeding on the wild Calluna heather last week... it must have been a late brood as the butterfly was looking nice and fresh! 📷️ 🌿 🧡 Happy new week everyone! 🕊️ 👋 #MacroMonday #NaturePhotography #Invert #Butterflies #Insects #Pollinators #ECK
A close-up photograph of a small brown-and-orange butterfly perched on pink heather blossoms, its antennae and furry head visible against a soft purple background.
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Postcard from the field from our Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour, currently running this week: A brilliant find today was the North African skipper False Mallow Skipper, existing on the very edge of its world range here in southern Spain. A gorgeous image by guest Martin. 👍
False Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus tripolinus) © Martin E
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
And we're under way with the 2026 Autumn Exotica in Andalusia I'm delighted to be co-leading alongside my Team Mariposa counterparts David Moore and legendary Spanish lepidopterist Miguel Munguira. Today, lovely views of Desert Orange Tip to welcome us to the area.
Desert Orange Tip (Colotis evagore) © Jon Dunn
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Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Ok So, #FavouritePlant #WildflowerHour Is over so I can post my REAL favourite flower of the year, because it was not (sadly!) In UK. How about THiS. Courtesy of @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social @dunnjons.bsky.social And @mariposanature.bsky.social Can"t be bettered.
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Good morning and welcome to a new week! Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Tenerife, led by the brilliant orchid-hunter @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. It's a fine way to break the winter doldrums with an array of very special island orchids. www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Canary Three-fingered Orchid (Habenaria tridactylites) © Jon Dunn
Tenerife Giant Orchid (Himantoglossum metlesicsianum) © Jon Dunn
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"A total of 106 species including 10 Erebia ringlets was beyond our expectations, and all against a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery" More lovely feedback for Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees. Thank you Chris & Sheila!
Guest testimonial for our Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees tour
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Lin Hawthorne @haggewoods.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Should you wish to indulge your love of beetles (and why wouldn’t you) this brilliant and scholarly website will certainly help. It’s a work of art by a human. www.rosspiper.net/2020/01/10/s...
rosspiper.net
Saproxylic beetles - Dr. Ross Piper
This is an intro and visual guide to the extraordinary diversity of beetle species associated with dead and decaying wood in the UK. Numbering some 650 species, this habitat supports the greatest dive...
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Bit of a week, that.
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"Richly rewarded with rare Erebias and local specialities, evidence of the extensive site research that had been done" A lovely testimonial from a guest for our current featured tour of the week, Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees. Thank you, Harry! www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Guest testimonial for our Butterflies of the Hautes Pyrenees tour
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Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Finding this butterfly was my personal wildlife highlight of 2025. Hard to imagine it'll be surpassed next week, but never say never...
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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Tour update 🚨 The last place on Spring Butterflies in Abruzzo was taken today, making that the 16th of our 2027 tours to be fully booked. Places remain on other 2027 tours... Full details here on our website: www.mariposanature.com/calendar
Spanish Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus albicans), Butterflies of the Montes Universales © Jon Dunn
Ophrys apulica, Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula © Jon Dunn
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