French Pyrenees - Cirque de Gavarnie

Day 6 - Cirque de Gavarnie

There was a heavy fog hanging over Gedre as we started out for the Cirque but we were hopeful that we could get above the layer and find some butterflies. By the time we parked in Gavarnie the sun was doing its best to burn off the mist. As we were in for a fairly long walk I lightened the load and left the long lens behind, Murphy's Law kicked in as throughout the walk birds presented themselves in ideal poses.

There's a view up there somewhere.

Our first sightings for the day were a pair of Citril Finches, feeding just off the path, whilst up in the pines, several Crossbills were feeding on the cones. It wasn't long before we had Crested Tits and their calling was frequent on the way up.

Just a few butterflies to be captured in the small clearings adjacent to the path.

A Dingy Skipper from an unusual view.

A late Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - well past its prime.

A rather large Aquilegia caught my eye

Lunch at the café was accompanied by some friendly Alpine Choughs

 

 After lunch we pressed on up into the Cirque

 

 

 

It was the scenery that dominated with the Grande Cascade taking centre stage. The Gavarnie Falls  or the Grande Cascade de Gavarnie is a tiered waterfall and has an overall drop of 422 metres and  is the highest waterfall in France.

 

Other falls are available.

We were heading for the base of the falls but we found ourselves the wrong side of the river and the overnight thunderstorms and heavy rain meant that a crossing was out of the question. By the time we descended the sun had come through at last.

Citril Finches everywhere - no lens!

 On the way down we took an alternative route, avoiding the crowds and passing through some very pleasant meadows. Surprisingly we found a late Chequered Skipper, perhaps the whole season is late - accounting for not seeing some of the more common butterflies such as the Apollo.

Chequered Skipper

 

Lesser Marbled Fritillary

 

Another Pearly Heath - I quite like them!

 

Herb Paris, Paris quadrifolia - a tad weary but worth recording