Despite the Algarve being a Portuguese stronghold for butterflies, I didn’t manage to photograph many butterflies before we left. I suspect it was because it is still early Spring and the winds have been really cold this year. It may have been the warmest worldwide but March was the coldest month on record for Portugal. There again perhaps my failure to photograph the butterflies was because the camera was looking the wrong way!
A few did catch my eye and kindly remained in one spot long enough for me to photograph. With the exception of the two though. They flew in front of us whilst we were walking in the serra and every time after landing they closed their wings. They then became invisible. Well almost as I did photograph them but all I was left with was their undersides each and every time! Only with hindsight did I think of filming them. Never mind I have my memories and maybe you can identify them.
It wasn’t only butterflies that caught my eye, some other insects and wildlife did too. You’ll recall from One of Nature’s Helicopters I was intrigued by one of the Portuguese names cavalinho-das-bruxas. Such a great name, if anyone knows why they are called this do tell. Do also let me know if you can identify those two butterflies with brown undersides!
The really exciting news though is that it was warm enough for Fiddler Crabs before we left. The first few appeared just before Easter, and since then have been quite easy to spot at low tide. I’ll probably post more on them soon as I have lots of photographs. For now though in case you are wondering what they are check out my post from a while ago.
Some lovely insects Becky, some of your butterflies look like they’ve made lucky escapes from bird’s beaks! Your brown butterfly with the cream band & rings is a Spanish Gatekeeper (Pyronia bathseba) and the larger one looks like a Meadow Brown.
Oh thank you so so much. I did half wonder about the Gatekeeper but wasn’t certain. Didn’t even think of the Meadow Brown for the other one.
So delighted I’ve got names for them 😊
I don’t much go for self-promotion, but there is a butterfly id page on my Nightingale Trails blog with most of the ones I photographed in Spain that you might find useful when in doubt. https://theresagreen2.wordpress.com
oh that’s brilliant, thank you. Will have a look later today, and if you don’t mind include the link one day in a future post?
Hope you find it useful Becky and all links welcome!
Great findings. Very beautiful.
Thank you so much – I think Butterflies are amazing.
What a lot you found.
I’ve just found out you’re from Winchester, drove through there last month!
Ah if I had still been here you could have popped in for coffee, maybe next time you are driving past!