Postcard from the field, where Team Mariposa are firing on all cylinders on our #OrchidsOfCrete tour led by @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social:
40 taxa in one day is a stunning achievement, testament to Richard's deep knowledge of the island's orchids, and our group's sharp eyes and teamwork.
Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) © Jon Dunn
Late Spider Orchid (Ophrys fuciflora) © Jon Dunn
Tour update 🚨
Today saw one of our two Kent orchid days this coming May now fully booked. Places remain available to join @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social for a day of colourful orchids, orchid lore, and a fine pub lunch on 31 May:
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), A Spring in Provence © Brian Small
Ashy-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava cinereocapilla), A Spring in Provence © Brian Small
Postcard from the field, from tour leaders Dave Fairhurst & Brian Small in southern France:
Our A Spring in Provence tour is under way, and we've spent a wonderful day in the wetlands of the Camargue, with masses of birds on show. More birds, butterflies, wildflowers to follow in the coming days...
Ophrys reinholdii, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys reinholdii, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
I've never yet met an Ophrys reinholdii I didn't like, but some I've encountered this week with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests were love at first sight.
What a stunning #orchid species this is, and there's nowhere better to enjoy its many iterations than on Rhodes with Mariposa.
Ophrys cretica, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys cretica, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Tour update 🚨
Just two of the many faces Ophrys cretica presents here in the orchid wonderland that's the #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. Speaking of twos, two more places have been taken this evening on the second week we're running in March 2028. See you there! #bloomscrolling (1/2)🧵
Ophrys calypsus variation, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys rhodia x Ophrys speculum hybrid, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
...and a myriad of colour forms and possible hybrids too in the space of week. Staying in a comfortable, family-run hotel set on the slopes of Mt. Attaviros in the heart of the island, we're in prime orchid-hunting country every moment of every day. It's the ultimate European orchid tour. (2/2)
Ophrys cornutula, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys attaviria, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
Our featured tour this week is Orchids of Rhodes, a flagship tour we're incredibly proud of and one, like ALL our orchid tours, that generates a donation to @bsbibotany.bsky.social. We anticipate seeing c.50 species...(1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Disa tenuifolia © Mayur Prag
Disa venusta © Mayur Prag
We're excited to announce Orchids of the Western Cape, a brand new tour in collaboration with our good friends at Birding Africa.
Their orchid and butterfly specialists will be designing further new tours to operate with us in future - watch this space!
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Serapias carica with bee within the orchid's flower, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Serapias carica with bee emerged, four orchid pollinia attached to it, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Thrilled to show my @mariposanature.bsky.social #OrchidsOfRhodes group masses of Serapias carica today, particularly when I found a flower with a bee tucked inside it. When it emerged, it had four orchid pollinia stuck to its head - a busy little bee indeed.
Ophrys mammosa, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys reinholdii, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys mammosa and Ophrys reinholdii both coming into their own, if a little soggy, yesterday after the preceding day's heavy rain here on Rhodes.
#orchids #OrchidsOfRhodes
Ophrys cretica hypochromic variation © Jon Dunn
Ophrys rhodia hypochromic variation © Jon Dunn
I'm normally no fan of a pale imitation of the real thing, especially on orchid tours, but in the case of these hypochromic Ophrys cretica and Ophrys rhodia we've found in the past 48 hours for our latest @mariposanature.bsky.social #OrchidsOfRhodes guests, I can make an exception.
Ophrys, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
BOOM. Well, what have we here in the midst of an extensive colony of Ophrys ferrum-equinum?
A superb find by my co-leader, Sarah, today.
But what is it... 😉
Ophrys calypsus var. scolopaxoides, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
As usual when orchid-hunting, I’ve a keen eye for a little variety. Ophrys calypsus presents itself in the scolopaxoides shape fairly frequently - and this one today had a mildly marbled lip too. Looking forward to finding something *really* wild here in Rhodes in the coming weeks…
Milky Orchid (Neotinea lactea), Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Orchis anatolica, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
We're feeling in the pink this week as the #OrchidsOfRhodes continue to delight with every turn. Today we started our exploration of upland and woodland sites, enjoying many orchids in peak condition, including these fine Neotinea lactea and Orchis anatolica.
Ophrys sicula variation, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Golden Ophrys sicula variation looking every inch the trophy #orchid for my @mariposanature.bsky.social Orchid Conservation Alliance #OrchidsOfRhodes guests today here in Rhodes. 🏆
A new site for Ophrys sancti-isidorii... our meticulous pre-tour recce and preparation already paying dividends for our #OrchidsOfRhodes guests.
Ophrys sicula hypochromic form, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Anacamptis papilionacea hyperchromic form, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Been in Rhodes a couple of days and already lining up the #orchid rarities for my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests. It's lovely to see old friends back for another flowering season - and to make some new acquaintances too.
Ophrys reinholdii, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
'Green-winged Orchid' Anacamptis morio ssp caucasica with pollinator, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Tour update 🚨
Our flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes tour is pretty special. We aim for c.50 species during an incredible week - it's exhilarating orchid-hunting. No wonder it's in such demand. The 2028 tour is now fully booked, so we've laid on a second week...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Customer service really matters to us.
It should go without saying that clear and prompt communication is important; as is the simple principle of treating people as we'd like to be treated ourselves. We know it's disappointing when other companies fail to do that - but that's not the Mariposa way.
A handful of the testimonials received from our Orchids of Rhodes guests
A tiny handful of the orchids seen on our Orchids of Rhodes tour
55 orchid taxa found last year alone, 2 of Europe's most determined orchid-hunters as your guides, 1 beautiful Greek island, and a donation made to @bsbibotany.bsky.social after every orchid tour, since our very first one.
There's only one #OrchidsOfRhodes tour, and it's worth waiting for. #orchids
Pink Butterfly Orchid (Anacamptis papilionacea), Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Pink Butterfly Orchid (Anacamptis papilionacea) with a pollinating bee, the orchid's pollinia adhering to the bee's head, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
My #CountdownToRhodes begins here - daily doses of bright wildflower cheer in the days before the @mariposanature.bsky.social #OrchidsOfRhodes season, replacing the murk of this long, wet winter with some joyous #bloomscrolling on your timelines. Here's Pink Butterfly Orchid - and a pollinating bee.
Scrub robin artwork from Birds of Greater Southern Africa fieldguide © Brian Small
Mediterranean Flycatcher (Muscicapa tyrrhenica) © Michele Viganò
Western Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna opaca), first record for Britain, Whalsay, Shetland, October 2023 © Jon Dunn
Cover of The Glitter in the Green - In Search of Hummingbirds, by Jon Dunn
Yes, we like birds too... and we're not just saying that because it's what we think you want to hear.
Many of Team Mariposa's leaders have some birding credentials in addition to their keen interest in other aspects of natural history... (1/5 🧵)
Canary Skipper (Thymelicus christi) © David Moore
Tenerife landscape © Dr Richard Bate
Canary Speckled Wood (Pararge xiphioides) © Dr Richard Bate
There's gold in those hills...
The volcanic landscape of Tenerife hides some gorgeous butterfly treasures, including these two gems - Canary Skipper and Canary Speckled Wood.
We'll be there for Butterflies of Tenerife in late March, and you could join us:
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
The Dark Red Helleborine is one of my favourite #orchid species and I'm leading a tour on Hutton Roof to find some for @mariposanature.bsky.social in July. Our tours support @bsbibotany.bsky.social and this tour supports @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social
Join us - www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Ophrys sipontensis, Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula © Jon Dunn
Ophrys oxyrrhynchos, Orchids of Sicily © Jon Dunn
Tour news 🚨 the Italian Job
More 2027 orchid tours now available to book on our website, with dates announced this morning for Orchids of the Gargano Peninsula, and Orchids of Sicily.
We may not blow the bloody doors off. But we aim to blow your socks off.
mariposanature.com/calendar
Aetherie Fritillary (Melitaea aetherie), Spring Butterflies of Andalusia © Clive Burrows
Fatma's Bavius Blue (Pseudophilotes fatma), Spring Butterflies of Marvellous Morocco © David Moore
Italian Marbled White (Melanargia arge), Spring Butterflies in Abruzzo © Marco Bonifacino
False Comma (Nymphalis vaualbum) False Comma & Summer Butterflies of Serbia © Janos Olah
Tour news 🚨
We've launched the first tranche of our 2027 butterfly tours on our website today. Lots to choose from, including Andalusia, Morocco, Abruzzo & Serbia, and many more to follow!
All generate donations to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social
mariposanature.com/calendar
Wonderful!!! Huge congratulations to you all ❤️
Canary Island Three-fingered Orchid (Habenaria tridactylites), Orchids of Tenerife © Jon Dunn
Gennaria diphylla, Orchids of Tenerife © Jon Dunn
Green with envy... we've spent today exploring the wooded areas and forest margins of Tenerife, in search of two special green orchids - Canarian endemic Habenaria tridactylites, and shy Mediterranean & Macaronesian specialty Gennaria diphylla. Both seen very well indeed! 💚
Lesser Fiery Copper (Lycaena thersamon), Butterflies of North Greece © Jon Dunn
Ophrys ortuabis, Orchids of Sardinia © Michele Vigano
Our January sale on 2026 tours with remaining spaces available to book upon them finishes tomorrow - any week-long 2026 tour booked before 1 February qualifies for £100 off the list price.
Full list of tours & availability of places here on our website:
www.mariposanature.com/calendar
Ophrys lucis, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Naked Man Orchid (Orchis italica), Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Tour update 🚨
We know we're the #1 choice for orchid-hunting holidays, and our guests know it too. Four more places on our flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes went today, just three places left available for 2028. The 2026 & 2027 tours are both long fully booked...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...