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.
Ophrys tenthredinifera s.l.
Ophrys bornmuelleri s.l.
22/4/26 #OrchidsOfCrete - What a day in the field with our party in #Crete who have been treated to 40 #orchid taxa in a single day; a record here at @mariposanature.bsky.social. Highlights include (L) Ophrys leochroma and an awesome patch of Ophrys helios (R), found by @rogercharding.bsky.social
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...
Orchids at Monte Lauro, Sicily 20/2026 😃💜🇮🇹
Some fine examples of the colour range to be found in Orchis quadripunctata. Great time with @rogercharding.bsky.social at Rethymno prefecture, Crete, 19.04.26. #orchid #orchis @withylake.bsky.social
Steve, I had similar fortune with some bees a mile from my house. In my case it was the council who were told they were there. Good for you for trying. Don't give up.👏❤️
Comes and goes.....
I've had this too.
Seems OK now though.
Ophrys lepida, Orchids of Sardinia © Michele Viganò
Postcard from the field from tour leader Michele Viganò, leading our Orchids of Sardinia tour this week:
If ever an orchid lived up to the billing of its name, it's Sardinian endemic Ophrys lepida, 'lepida' meaning elegant or beautiful. This one was enjoyed by our group yesterday.
#orchids
Ophrys colossaea, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
It's #ThrowbackThursday to a week ago today, enjoying the first of the season's Ophrys colossaea on Rhodes with the @mariposanature.bsky.social #OrchidsOfRhodes tour I was leading with my good pal @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. We're both moving on to orchid-hunting pastures new this coming week...
Ophrys lepida, Orchids of Sardinia © Michele Viganò
Ophrys panattensis, Orchids of Sardinia © Michele Viganò
Tour update 🚨
With three bookings taken this morning, the 2027 edition of Orchids of Sardinia now moves to guaranteed departure status, also guaranteeing a donation to support the work of @bsbibotany.bsky.social. It's filling fast, and no wonder! #orchids
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Fly #Orchids now out in Kent!
Common twayblade reaching for the sky
Cornwall Council has informed town and parish councils that its wholly owned contractor Cormac will resume widespread use of the chemical weedkiller glyphosate on roads and footways throughout Cornwall.
Please sign the petition and share.
www.change.org/p/cornwall-c...?
I can't wait to co-lead this wonderful tour this summer with my dear friend Kate joining us - she's fabulous company, and will make a brilliant week of butterflies in some of Europe's most outstanding landscapes all the more enjoyable.
UFO 🤣
Early-purple and Green-winged orchids starting to flower at a deserted Berry Head, Devon, today 12/4/2026 @ukorchids.bsky.social
Naked Man Orchid (Orchis italica) © Jon Dunn
Ophrys calypsus © Jon Dunn
Tour update 🚨
Our flagship Orchids of Rhodes tour now books up years in advance, and no wonder - nobody knows the island's orchids, their hybrids, and colour varieties better than us.
Another place on our 2028 tour filled today...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Ophrys normanii x Ophrys chestermanii hybrid, Orchids of Sardinia © Michele Viganò
Postcard from the field from Sardinia, where Michele Viganò is leading our Orchids of Sardinia tour this week:
Yesterday, joined by acclaimed European orchid expert Helmut Presser, we recorded 16 species, and found the achingly rare hybrid Ophrys normanii x O. chestermanii.
#orchids
A small but exceptional Naked Man Orchid (Orchis italica). Saw this hyperchromic stunner in central southern Crete 12.04.26 #orchid #orchis
Lovely morning at Barrington Hill Meadows in Somerset between the showers.
@withylake.bsky.social @lizlouise.bsky.social @orchidvinny.bsky.social @ukorchids.bsky.social
Found an attractive green form of Serepias orientalis in eastern Crete today (12.04.26). Special bonus invertebrate on the plant - in the form of a Dwarf Mantis! #orchid @withylake.bsky.social
A tiny selection of orchid species regularly seen during our Orchids of Rhodes tours, images © Jon Dunn
Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI) logo
There's nobody who knows the #orchids of Rhodes better than us.
Naturally, *all* our orchid tours generate donations to support the brilliant conservation work of @bsbibotany.bsky.social. That support matters to us, and we know it matters to our guests too. (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
A selection of orchid hybrids & colour varieties recorded during our Orchids of Rhodes tours in 2026, images © Jon Dunn
Today marks the conclusion of our #OrchidsOfRhodes tours for 2026. They've been a resounding success, with almost 60 species recorded, and some spectacular hybrids & colour varieties enjoyed.
The 2027 & 2028 tours are fully booked; so we've laid on a second week for 2028. (1/2)
Wendy
I did this trip a couple of years back. I loved it so much That I have booked for next year!
Just a wonderful week.
Our @mariposanature.bsky.social Rhodes tour ends tomorrow after a fabulous week of orchid hunting. The incredible number & variety has to be seen to be believed! Thanks to @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social for site research & expertise. Good weather, good company, stunning scenery...
Thank you.
Thanks to the excellent @withylake.bsky.social Andy Rogers, I got tobsee the gorgeous alba EPO in mid Devon yesterday.
Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum), Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Ophrys calypsus, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
A truly memorable day with my @mariposanature.bsky.social #OrchidsOfRhodes guests and my close friend and co-leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. The fine orchids kept coming thick and fast all day long. Tomorrow is bursting with further promise.
#orchids #bloomscrolling
🤞
Anacamptis collina may look a little dull from a distance. However, when you get in close and the sun is shining - then it's an absolute dazzler! Prina, Crete, 09.04.26. @withylake.bsky.social #orchid
