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.
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| A tribute to the road builders |
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| Stunning views |
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| Just too cloudy |
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| David searching for a "sooty" |
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| Ed looking for eagles |
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| I tried to add at least one stone to every cairn |
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| 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.
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| Damon Blue |
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| Damon Blue |
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| Damon Blue |
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| Damon Blue |
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| Common Blue |
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| Chestnut Heath |
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| Chestnut Heath |
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| Chalk Hill Blue |
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| False Heath Fritillary |
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| Marbled Fritillary |
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| Small Blue |
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| Spotted Fritillary |
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| Spotted Fritillary |
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| Titania's Fritillary |
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| Amanda's Blue |
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| Amanda's Blue |
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| Amanda's Blue |
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| Large Wall |
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| 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.
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| Southern Comma |
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| Southern Comma |
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| Southern Comma |
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| 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)
