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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 1d

With another place secured by a guest yesterday, our Orchids of Rhodes tour now moves to being a guaranteed departure in 2027.

The ultimate #orchid tour of Rhodes, with leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, may be 18 months away, but it's starting to fill up already!

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 2d

...to see the widest possible array of butterfly species on the wing at the time of our visit to the stunning countryside in the vicinity of Lake Kerkini.

Naturally, like ALL our butterfly tours, the tour generates a donation to support the vital work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)

Lattice Brown (Kirinia roxelana) © Jon Dunn

Balkan Marbled White (Melanagia larissa) © Jon Dunn

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 2d

Good morning and welcome to a new week!

This week's featured tour is Butterflies of North Greece, our immersion next June into the intoxicating richness of butterfly life in the region. With David Moore & Martin Davies as their leaders, guests are sure...(1/2)

mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Blue Argus (Aricia anteros) © David Moore

Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon) © Jon Dunn

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Sharon Moncur @sharonmoncur.bsky.social · 2d

My advice? Book quickly!

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 2d

Our Orchids of Rhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of the orchid flora of that wonderful Greek island. The 2026 tour has been fully booked since April 2025, and now the first bookings are coming in for the 2027 tour... this one always fills fast! (And donates to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social)

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Andy Appleton @andyappleton.bsky.social · 2d

Yep, Rhodes in April is rather brilliant 👍🏻 - so so much to see.

Ophrys polyxo x rhodia, part of a clump of these great hybrids.

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Kirsty Evans @kirstyevans.bsky.social · 2d

Prepare to discover absolute treasures on this flagship trip! 😍

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 2d

www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...

Orchids of Rhodes

Led by Jon Dunn, author of 'Orchid Summer', and Richard Bate, one of the brightest stars in the European orchid scene, our time on Rhodes will be packed with colourful orchids - depending on the seaso...

www.mariposanature.com

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 2d

Our Orchids of Rhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of the orchid flora of that wonderful Greek island. The 2026 tour has been fully booked since April 2025, and now the first bookings are coming in for the 2027 tour... this one always fills fast! (And donates to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social)

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Reposted by Mariposa Nature Tours

martinswarren.bsky.social @martinswarren.bsky.social · 3d

The new European Butterfly Red List is published today, with worrying findings. Over 1/4 (28%) of Europe’s 442 species are threatened with extinction or are close to being so. The situation is far worse for our 148 endemic species, 40% are now threatened or nearly so www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?...

Front cover of the European Butterfly Red List, showing Polyommatus humedasae. The report can be downloaded at https://www.bc-europe.eu/webpage.php?name=red-list-butterflies-2025

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 4d

Like all of our botanical tours, Orchids of Cyprus generates a donation to support the fabulous conservation work of @bsbibotany.bsky.social. We've done this since day one of Mariposa's journey - it's important to us, and to our guests alike. (2/2)

www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...

Orchids of Cyprus

A week in Cyprus in early spring, focusing on the island's myriad and abundant orchids, some extremely scarce European species in their number, but also enjoying the other wildlife to be found here at...

www.mariposanature.com

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 4d

Good morning, and welcome to the weekend!

A little #bloomscrolling joy from Cyprus to start the day - island endemic orchids Ophrys kotschyi and Orchis troodi.

We see both on our annual Orchids of Cyprus tour - filling up fast now, just 2 places remain to join us there in March 2026. (1/2)

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 5d

It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies and artwork of FW Frohawk.

Today's featured species is Small Heath - a small tawny brown butterfly of, aptly enough, heathland, but also rough grassland. Frohawk's artwork doesn't do their hairiness justice!

#butterflies

Plate 41 of FW Frohawk's 'Natural History of British Butterflies', featuring Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 6d

Places remain available to join us there in 2026. If booked before 1 Dec 2025, they qualify for our Early Bird discount, automatically taking £150 off the list price of the tour. And the tour generates a donation to support @europebutterfly.bsky.social. 🦋(2/2)

www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour

This tour will suit those who enjoy being surrounded by thousands of easily accessible alpine butterflies at a fabulous time of year, as the burgeoning vegetation in this glorious Italian and French a...

www.mariposanature.com

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 6d

"If I were to set out to create my perfect butterfly tour then this would be it"

"I have never personally seen so many butterflies in such a short time"

"An absolutely fabulous experience"

Wonderful guest feedback for Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour! (1/2)

#butterflies

Guest feedback for Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour

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WA Orchids @wa-orchids.bsky.social · 6d

Enamel orchids (Elythranthera sp.) are endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. These orchids really do have the shiniest petals and sepals you will ever see 💜🩷

#orchids #ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #bloomscrolling

A pinky/purple Enamel orchid with highly shiny petals

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 9d

Your guides to a feast of fritillaries and a bonanza of blues will be our popular, knowledgeable, and friendly team of Paul Selby & Michele Viganò.

Importantly, like ALL of our butterfly tours, this one generates a donation to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)

Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) © Jon Dunn

Chequered Blue (Scolitantides orion) © Clive Burrows

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 9d

Good morning, and welcome to a new week!

Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour, a guaranteed departure tour in June 2026 that offers the best of both butterfly worlds on either flank of the mighty Alps. (1/2)

mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Southern Swallowtail (Papilio alexanor) © Clive Burrows

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 10d

Our Team Mariposa #orchid leaders never stop... Jon and Richard are wrapping up the 2025 season in the only way they know how to relax - by going to look for yet more #orchids!

You can join them both in 2026 for more orchid-hunting fun - Richard in Cyprus & Crete, and Jon in Sicily.

Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 10d

One of the very best days, #orchid -hunting with my good mate and fellow @mariposanature.bsky.social leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social in Madeira. We found over 20 flowering plants of European über-rarity, Goodyera macrophylla. A day of amazing plants, great company, good laughs, and muddy boots!

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Dr Richard Bate @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social · 10d

4/10/25 - There are always great #orchids to be seen in #Orctober but you have to put yourself out there to find them!

Goodyera macrophylla is an endemic of #Madeira and one you have to put a real shift in for! Joined by my good friend @dunnjons.bsky.social every step of the way #teamorchid

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 11d

Storm Amy may be making life a bit miserable at the moment in the UK, but here's something else that begins with A to brighten and cheer your October weekend - gorgeous Ophrys annae, an #orchid from Sardinia last April.

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 12d

It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.

Today features Large Heath, inhabitant of acidic, wet peatlands mostly in the north. Since Frohawk's time it's declined badly in England and Wales; Scotland remains a stronghold to this day.

Plate 40 of FW Frohawk's 'Natural History of British Butterflies', featuring Large Heath (Coenonympha tullia)

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Reposted by Mariposa Nature Tours

BSBI Botany @bsbibotany.bsky.social · 13d

Our annual membership special offer opens today!
Join us this month & you'll enjoy 15 months of membership benefits for the price of 12.
Those benefits are so numerous & fabulous you'll have to head over here to see them all:
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
Then join us! bsbi.org/join-us

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Reposted by Mariposa Nature Tours

Kirsty Evans @kirstyevans.bsky.social · 13d

You’d be crazy not to fancy one! It’s a proper treasure hunt💎🤩

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 13d

Each of our #orchid holidays generates a donation to support the superb wildflower conservation work undertaken by @bsbibotany.bsky.social. That matters to us, and we know it matters to our guests too.

Our full range of 2026 tours is on our website: (2/2)

www.mariposanature.com/calendar

Tour Calender | Mariposa Nature Tours

Our tour calender has all upcoming tour dates in one place, making it easier than ever to plan your holiday.

www.mariposanature.com

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Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 13d

Fancy a relaxing #orchid holiday in 2026, with lots of photographic opportunities, led by friendly & dedicated guides?

Two months remain to take advantage of our early bird booking deal, offering £150 off the list price of any week-long tour booked before 1 Dec 2025. (1/2)

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