Butterflying in the Alpes-Maritime, Col de La Lombarde

Day 2 and the plan consisted of a trip to our first Col with the target being Cynthias Fritillary and possibly a scarce Pyrgus or two. Of course the journey up and down can be broken with frequent stops at riverside meadows and small but well populated sites adjacent to the road.

Last year our first roadside stop was memorable as I was totally overwhelmed by the number of butterflies present, I learned pretty rapidly that in a target rich environment you shouldn't attempt to photograph everything as all you get is a load of poor photos. Better to concentrate on a single quarrry and when quality has been achieved, move on to the next species.  So, when we stopped at the same location this year I was ready for action, unfortunately the late spring meant that the numbers were disappointing.

Still, it was nice to find a pair of Silver-studded Blues engaged in making more Silver-studded Blues, an extremely obliging Niobe Fritillary and a worn Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Every cloud as they say - it was nice to find a great stand of Martagon Lilies, last year they were well past their sell by date.

Silver-studded Blues

Niobe Fritillary

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Martagon Lily

On up to the Col at an altitude on 2,350 metres or 7,710 feet in real money. Again butterflies were not numerous and every time a member of the group found a Cynthias Fritillary I seemed to be the furthest away, resulting in fleeting glimpses rather than photographic records. I consoled myself with a fairly fresh Grison's Fritillary, a worn high altitude Marsh Fritillary and some nice Vanilla Orchids. At first I thought they were Red Vanilla, Nigritella rubra but l now consider them to be Cornelias Vanilla Orchid, Nigritella corneliana. Happy to be corrected.

Grison's Fritillary

A bonus - a high altitude Marsh Fritillary on a Vanilla Orchid!

Nice to see Stemless Gentians, Gentiana acaulis in bloom, another species that had long gone last year. Sadly most of the blooms were a bit battered by the weather.

Then a drop down the valley to find Geranium Argus and a break for lunch. The sun disappeared and I struggled to find a single specimen, of course as soon as the sun re-appeared they emerged in good numbers. Added bonus was an Amanda's Blue, the Mazarine Blue that I tracked for some time was spooked just as I was about to operate the shutter.

Geranium Argus

Amanda's Blue

Amanda's Blue

Amanda's Blue

Another roadside stop above a fast flowing river, the grassy banks either side were alive with butterflies but it was a moth that stole the show, a Nine Spotted Moth or Yellow Belted Burnet, Amata phegea. 

Turquoise Blue

Turquoise Blue

Yellow Belted Burnet

Yellow Belted Burnet

Yellow Belted Burnet

Finally the ubiquitous Black-veined White and an obliging Heath Fritillary

Black-veined White

Heath Fritillary

Butterflying in the Alpes-Maritimes - Col de la Bonette

Today was a day when the pace slowed just a little, only because the weather was just a little unkind. The plan was to ascend the Col de la Bonnette but as we approached you could see the weather closing in on the summit. Never mind, it was a gamble worth taking for the Sooty Ringlet that dwells at the very top. It was much cooler too, everyone in the group put warm clothing on, I even saw a beanie. I have to admit I did succumb and donned a light cotton sweater, it was the only time on the tour where I felt truly comfortable - I don't do heat very well.

The upshot is that four of us took the path to the top and were rewarded by stunning views rather than a diminutive butterfly. The sun came out briefly and we heard bees and saw a lone high altitude Red Admiral.

At the foot of the climb there is a sign stating that the road is the highest in Europe, unfortunately this is being a bit economical with the truth. Wikipedia begs to differ - Col de la Bonette (el. 2,715 metres (8,907 ft)) is a high mountain pass in the French Alps, near the border with Italy. It is situated within the Mercantour National Park on the border of the departments of Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The road over the col is the seventh highest paved road in the Alps.

The road around the Cime de la Bonette reaches an altitude of 2,802 m (9,193 ft), this is not a "pass", but merely a scenic loop. It is, however, the highest asphalted road in France and is the highest through road in Europe.

A tribute to the road builders

Stunning views

 

Just too cloudy

David searching for a "sooty"

Ed looking for eagles

 

I tried to add at least one stone to every cairn

I know why the plants up here are short - the wind is real mean.

So we abandoned the high ground and descended to Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage for lunch and some warmer butterflying.


First up were some charming Damon Blues, a life tick for me.

Damon Blue

Damon Blue

Damon Blue

Damon Blue



Common Blue

Chestnut Heath

Chestnut Heath



Chalk Hill Blue



False Heath Fritillary



Marbled Fritillary

Small Blue

Spotted Fritillary

Spotted Fritillary

Titania's Fritillary

Amanda's Blue

Amanda's Blue

Amanda's Blue

Large Wall

Large Wall

 

 On the return to Rimplas the group stopped off at a large buddleia bush just outside the village. It was alive with butterflies but I recorded none. Then into the village and a scan of the lavender - Southern Comma!!!!  "At last" said David. Now I know these pics were in a previous blog but I re-processed them and they are here for chronological correctness.

Southern Comma

Southern Comma

Southern Comma

Southern Comma

Then a final, weary walk down the promenade, not too many butterflies present.  The vegetation had a definite arid look about it, most of the nectaring flowers were well past their best. The butterfly season was coming to a close as was our visit. All I found of note was this pink hued grasshopper - which is actually a Blue-winged grasshopper (Oedipoda caerulescens)