A small selection of the orchids to be seen on our annual Orchids of Rhodes tour
We think a conservation charity shouldn't have to wait for a donation; not for months, and certainly not for years.
We've made our #OrchidsOfCyprus donation to @bsbibotany.bsky.social today, the day after the tour ended. We've donated to them after every orchid tour since Mariposa formed.
#orchids
If you fancy joining Richard and his co-leader Dave Fairhurst for a feast of orchids (and butterflies, wildflowers, herps, birds, et al) next spring, our #OrchidsOfCyprus tour is the one for you. It generates a donation to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social too.
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
9/3/26 #OrchidsOfCyprus - A couple of highlights from my final few hours on this wonderful island for this year; The beautiful Kotschy's Bee #Orchid (Ophrys kotschyi) and a hilltopping European Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). I'm already looking forward to returning in 2027!
8/3/26 #OrchidsOfCyprus - One of our invertebrate highlights from the last full day of our tour, an African Green Mantis (Sphrodomantis viridis) found by one of our guests @jelltex.bsky.social here on the Akamas peninsula. An absolutely awesome creature and our second mantis species at this site
With two such accomplished naturalists as Dave Fairhurst & Richard Bate, our #OrchidsOfCyprus tour features #MuchMoreThanOrchids* - today we've already enjoyed fabulous Black Francolin, and Cyprus Warbler.
*though we're proud to be the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays 😊
8/3/26 #OrchidsOfCyprus - Made a little friend in the shade under this beautiful tree towards the peak of one of the larger hills here in the Akamas peninsula; it’s a warm morning and perfect walking through this dappled glade
Orchis punctulata, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
Epipactis veratrifolia, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
Postcard from the field from our fabulous orchid tour leader, @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, on our #OrchidsOfCyprus tour:
Yesterday's highlights included these two Asiatic #orchids, on the very edge of their world range - dramatic Epipactis veratrifolia, and Orchis punctulata. Exciting finds!
Ophrys iricolor, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
Ophrys alasiatica, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
Postcard just received from tour leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social in Cyprus:
Our #OrchidsOfCyprus group have seen two spectacular Asian species on the edge of their world range today. These two (Ophrys iricolor & endemic Ophrys alasiatica) aren't them - but what utter beauties they are!
Ophrys mammosa with Empusa sp. mantid, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
Postcard from the field from tour leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, leading our #OrchidsOfCyprus tour:
#Orchids can be a trap* for the unwary. Pity the busy, busy bee that's attracted to this Ophrys mammosa; danger lurks in the form of an Empusa mantis.
*and seriously addictive for their admirers!
Ophrys kotschyi, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
Imagine going to Cyprus and not seeing the jewel in the Ophrys #orchid crown, Ophrys kotschyi...
Fortunately for our guests, that's the stuff of abstract nightmares only, for our brilliant guide @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social knows exactly where the best of them are to be seen.
#OrchidsOfCyprus
Our annual #OrchidsOfCyprus tour begins tomorrow - and what a fabulous array of Ophrys bee orchids alone our superb orchid tour leader, @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, has lined up for our guests. Knowing Richard's keen eyes, there may be a pleasant surprise or two during the week...
1/3/26 #OrchidsOfCyprus - A pair of magnificent #orchids found here on Cyprus; Ophrys iricolor on the left and the rare endemic Ophrys kotschyi on the right
Our preparation for our orchid tours starts early and runs deep. We're certainly not in the habit of 'winging it'! 😂
Tour leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social is in Cyprus doing groundwork for our imminent #OrchidsOfCyprus tour, and all we can say is our guests are in for a real treat...
#orchids
28/2/26 #OrchidsOfCyprus - Among the many highlights from today; a lovely flavescent example of the endemic #Orchid Ophrys elegans, and a trio of one of Europe's rarest #Orchids, Orchis punctulata
Countdown to #OrchidsOfCyprus 2026 - Dactyorhiza romana is a particularly lovely species from a genus that I sometimes lack enthusiasm for. It usually comes in two colour forms (like D. sambucina) but on Cyprus you can only find yellow ones!
mariposanature.com
@mariposanature.bsky.social
Countdown to #OrchidsOfCyprus 2026 - Ophrys bornmuelleri is a spectacular Bee #Orchid of the Middle East. The endemic Cypriot subspecies with larger flowers (ssp grandiflora) is even more impressive and recognised by some as Ophrys aphrodite
www.mariposanature.com
@mariposanature.bsky.social
Countdown to #OrchidsOfCyprus 2026 - I'll soon travel East to prepare the @mariposanature.bsky.social tour where we'll encounter around 30 species of #orchids. I'm looking forward to meeting up with Ophrys levantina, a charming Bee #Orchid whose mirror is shaped like a bowtie
www.mariposanature.com
Countdown to #OrchidsOfCyprus 2026 - One of my favourite #orchids is the Rainbow #Orchid (Ophrys iricolor). Its large flowers have mirrors that shimmer with multiple blue hues, forming an unforgettable contrast with the textured reddish labellum
@mariposanature.bsky.social
www.mariposanature.com
Countdown to #OrchidsOfCyprus 2026 - One of the first #orchids to flower is the lovely Fan-Lipped #Orchid (Anacamptis collina) at the beginning of the year.
Plants at altitude tend to flower a touch later, and may persist into early March
www.mariposanature.com
