Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 23h

And a few more....

1 8

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 23h

Inspired by all the amazing fungi photos posted here recently, I took my camera on a stroll through an Exmoor wood.

2 3 52

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 23h

Carline on Braunton Burrows today brighten up a dull day

1 6

Reposted by Roger Harding

Liz Downey @lizlouise.bsky.social · 1d

Huge variety of Brittlegills & Milkcaps fruiting at the moment #Fungi #Mushrooms

1 8 140

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 1d

Snap these last places up quick!
I did this trip a couple of years back and it is (so far) the best Orchid trip i have done ( and I have done a few)
Best guides. Best Orchids. Best food and drink, and best guests. Very fond memories.

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 1d

With another place secured by a guest yesterday, our Orchids of Rhodes tour now moves to being a guaranteed departure in 2027.

The ultimate #orchid tour of Rhodes, with leaders @dunnjons.bsky.social & @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social, may be 18 months away, but it's starting to fill up already!

Reposted by Roger Harding

Liz Downey @lizlouise.bsky.social · 1d

Charcoal Burner with Beech in the Blackdowns #Fungi #Mushrooms

2 57

Reposted by Roger Harding

Liz Downey @lizlouise.bsky.social · 1d

First Fly Agarics of the year for me, plus some False Deathcap 🍄‍🟫🍄 #Fungi #Mushrooms

2 41

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 2d

Our Orchids of Rhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of the orchid flora of that wonderful Greek island. The 2026 tour has been fully booked since April 2025, and now the first bookings are coming in for the 2027 tour... this one always fills fast! (And donates to support @bsbibotany.bsky.social)

2 7 37

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 4d

Commitment as in "You should be commited"

Stevie P @stevieparsons.bsky.social · 4d

Not sure if commitment is the right word 🤣

Reposted by Roger Harding

Jelltex @jelltex.bsky.social · 4d

For #AnOrchidADay:

A sickly yellow White Helleborine, Cephalanthera damasonium probably var. chloritica.

From 2018. The plant appeared once since, but the whole wood lost all orchids, White Helleborines and Bird's Nest #Orchids, probably due to snails and slugs in the winter of 2023.

1 1 2

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 4d

Good morning, and welcome to the weekend!

A little #bloomscrolling joy from Cyprus to start the day - island endemic orchids Ophrys kotschyi and Orchis troodi.

We see both on our annual Orchids of Cyprus tour - filling up fast now, just 2 places remain to join us there in March 2026. (1/2)

1 8 42

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 4d

Like all of our botanical tours, Orchids of Cyprus generates a donation to support the fabulous conservation work of @bsbibotany.bsky.social. We've done this since day one of Mariposa's journey - it's important to us, and to our guests alike. (2/2)

www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...

Orchids of Cyprus

A week in Cyprus in early spring, focusing on the island's myriad and abundant orchids, some extremely scarce European species in their number, but also enjoying the other wildlife to be found here at...

www.mariposanature.com

4 13

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 4d

Love your commitment.
❤️❤️

1 1

Reposted by Roger Harding

Jelltex @jelltex.bsky.social · 5d

For #AnOrchidADay:

The rarest native Kent #Orchid of them all: Burnt (Tip) Orchid, Neotinea ustulata.

One of only three plants that I know of in the county.

2 1 2

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 7d

"If I were to set out to create my perfect butterfly tour then this would be it"

"I have never personally seen so many butterflies in such a short time"

"An absolutely fabulous experience"

Wonderful guest feedback for Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour! (1/2)

#butterflies

Guest feedback for Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour

1 6 21

Reposted by Roger Harding

Dave @sylvatica2024.bsky.social · 8d

This seems to be a female Ichneumon extensorius wasp that I found in my back garden today in Wadebridge. There's only 1 prior record for it in Cornwall from 1906, so any knowledgable insect person's input would be most welcome.

1 5 20

Reposted by Roger Harding

Andy Rogers @withylake.bsky.social · 9d

Goodyera macrophylla @860m in the Parque Florestal do Fanal, Madeira today, 5/10/2025 🇵🇹 😃

1 2 12

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 9d

Your guides to a feast of fritillaries and a bonanza of blues will be our popular, knowledgeable, and friendly team of Paul Selby & Michele Viganò.

Importantly, like ALL of our butterfly tours, this one generates a donation to support the great work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)

Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) © Jon Dunn

Chequered Blue (Scolitantides orion) © Clive Burrows

1 6 29

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 9d

Good morning, and welcome to a new week!

Our featured tour this week is Butterflies of the Italian Alps & French Mercantour, a guaranteed departure tour in June 2026 that offers the best of both butterfly worlds on either flank of the mighty Alps. (1/2)

mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Southern Swallowtail (Papilio alexanor) © Clive Burrows

1 9 62

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 10d

Super cool guys.

3

Roger Harding @rogercharding.bsky.social · 12d

Do tell please Jon??

Jon Dunn @dunnjons.bsky.social · 12d

I think it’s time for an adventure…

2

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 14d

Every one of our butterfly holidays generates a donation to support the superb butterfly conservation work undertaken by @europebutterfly.bsky.social. That matters to us, and we know it matters to our guests too.

Our full range of 2026 tours is on our website: (2/2)

www.mariposanature.com/calendar

Tour Calender | Mariposa Nature Tours

Our tour calender has all upcoming tour dates in one place, making it easier than ever to plan your holiday.

www.mariposanature.com

2 11

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 14d

Fancy a relaxing #orchid holiday in 2026, with lots of photographic opportunities, led by friendly & dedicated guides?

Two months remain to take advantage of our early bird booking deal, offering £150 off the list price of any week-long tour booked before 1 Dec 2025. (1/2)

2 3 18

Reposted by Roger Harding

Mariposa Nature Tours @mariposanature.bsky.social · 17d

That's us heading for home now after a resoundingly successful Autumn Exotica in Andalusia tour, with all the butterfly targets (and a huge bonus!) found, plus some fine dragonflies and birds too. We can't wait to return next year - and hope you might join us.

www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...

Two-tailed Pasha (Charaxes jasius) © Jon Dunn

Desert Babul Blue (Azanus ubaldus) © Jon Dunn

Desert Orange Tip (Colotis evagore) © Jon Dunn

Zeller's Skipper (Borbo borbonica) © Jon Dunn

5 43