As ever, I can't wait to lead this wonderful orchid tour with my good pal @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social.
We take great pride in giving our guests the ultimate experience of the #OrchidsOfRhodes - as, indeed, we do on all our orchid tours. That the tour is almost full 2 years off speaks volumes.
Some of the testimonials received for our Orchids of Rhodes tour
A tiny selection of the orchids seen on our Orchids of Rhodes tour
Tour update 🚨
As of this morning, the 2028 edition of our Orchids of Rhodes, the ultimate exploration of the wonderful #orchids found on this delightful island, has just one place left available on it. As our guests will tell you, it's worth the wait...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Paphos Blue (Glaucopsyche paphos) and Anacamptis syriaca, Orchids of Cyprus © Dr Richard Bate
If any image sums up what we love best here at Team Mariposa, it's this one from tour leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social today - a lovely, fresh Paphos Blue on Anacamptis syriaca, the sophisticated cousin of Green-winged Orchid. We can't think of any better thing for a butterfly to sit upon.
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 😊
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!
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
Beauty
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!
Orchis troodi © Dr Richard Bate
Ophrys lapethica © Dr Richard Bate
Postcard from the field from tour leader @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, leading our Orchids of Cyprus group:
We've still got two full days ahead of us in which to enjoy Cyprus, and we're revelling in the glorious habitats and sheer orchid abundance and diversity to be found here.
#orchids
Naked Man Orchid (Orchis italica), Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn Just two places remain available on the 2028 Orchids of Rhodes tour...
Ophrys cretica ssp beloniae, Orchids of Rhodes © Jon Dunn
Our 2026 & 2027 #OrchidsOfRhodes tours are both fully booked, and have been for a long time now. The 2028 tour has just two places left available on it - it's the ultimate orchid-hunting holiday, 50+ taxa in a week, donation to
@bsbibotany.bsky.social, top craic.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
That's the one.
Well done.
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
Stunner.
Glad you are having such a good trip.
Xx
Indeed.
I well recall trying to cancel a trip with a competitor (bad word - carries implication of equalish competition - @mariposanature.bsky.social are 10 times better) after I discovered I was being deceived.
I eventually got my deposit back, but it was a deeply unpleasant process.
This Oxford Giant Orchid is scant consolation for missing my trip to Cyprus. But it is lovely.
@mariposanature.bsky.social we're wonderful. Mail from David and call from Jon whilst at airport. No hassle refund.
This is why they are so successful. Nice guys, brilliant guides and top customer service.
A few nice walks with Ruby the last couple of days. Saw the very tiny Hutchinsia (Hornungia petraea) for the 1st time & my first Common Whitlowgrass of the year. Plus a Deer Shield mushroom 🍄🟫🤍🌿
@alan678.bsky.social
@robcrank68.bsky.social #BirdOfTheDay
#SideView
A Whimbrel posing for a field guide illustrator.
@alan678.bsky.social
@robcrank68.bsky.social #BirdOfTheDay
#SideView
#Yellow
This Montezuma Oropendola seems to tick both boxes.
Cheers Kirsty
Half a dozen or so went out a few days early. Lucky move.
And my flight cancelled. That orange faced evil manbaby has made me miss my orchid trip to Cyprus.
I have a particular set of skills............
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) dying of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenze (HPAI). Once contracted, this disease invariably proved fatal for Gannets, and in 2022 ripped through Britain's breeding population, killing countless thousands of birds. Image © Jon Dunn
Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) gathering marine waste to line its nest. This can have fatal consequences when birds entangle in plastic or nylon. Image © Jon Dunn
Gannets are fabulous. But they've had it tough lately. Marine pollution's a constant problem, and avian influenza hit them hard. The last thing they need is an annual hunt, even a small one in the name of tradition. Please consider signing to stop the hunt:
petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE...
Oh Steve.
I have to wait a fortnight for those beauties.
Hope there are still some in bud waiting for me?
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...
Dinner at Gatwick.
Not so groovy.
😔
Yes. I shall be meeting up with Richard @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social and Ian @jelltex.bsky.social tomorrow.
Very excited
I shall certainly be posting a photo or two Kirsty.
En route to Gatwick as we speak. ✈️🥀
A selection of some Ophrys reinholdii forms found over the years in Rhodes © Jon Dunn
One of my favourite of all European orchids today in my countdown to the incomparable @mariposanature.bsky.social #OrchidsOfRhodes tour - Ophrys reinholdii. I love everything about them - not least their contrasting colours and variability. They work on a visceral level.
#orchids #bloomscrolling
The Ibis were in mangrove on the western Pacific coast.
The Honeycreeper was at an extraordinary place called Pierella Gardens. Best stop on our trip!
I am guessing everyone is getting a bit yawny about my "I've been to Costa Rica you know" posts.
So here are my last two I promise.
@alan678.bsky.social
#BirdOfTheDay
#FourOrMore
#Blue
Red-legged Honeycreeper
Four White Ibis.
Gorgeous stuff. See you Monday afternoon. ✈️🍻
