Jon Dunn
@dunnjons.bsky.social
Nature writer, photographer, tour leader. FLS.
BSBI Shetland county recorder
Author for Basic Books, Bloomsbury Books, Hachette, Princeton University Press
Rep’d: Peters, Fraser & Dunlop
www.jondunn.com
BSBI Shetland county recorder
Author for Basic Books, Bloomsbury Books, Hachette, Princeton University Press
Rep’d: Peters, Fraser & Dunlop
www.jondunn.com
Pinned
Jon Dunn
@dunnjons.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Blimey. There's suddenly a LOT more people here. Hello! For those who weren't on the bird site and don't already know, amongst other things, I write stuff, and with Christmas coming up, maybe a joyful book about orchids, or one about hummingbirds, might be a colourful antidote to winter and Now?
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Tour update. As of this morning, our featured tour of the week, Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees, has just 3 places remaining available to book to join us.
Any booking made before 1 December will qualify for a £150 early bird discount. Vamos!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Any booking made before 1 December will qualify for a £150 early bird discount. Vamos!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
November 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Tour update. As of this morning, our featured tour of the week, Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees, has just 3 places remaining available to book to join us.
Any booking made before 1 December will qualify for a £150 early bird discount. Vamos!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Any booking made before 1 December will qualify for a £150 early bird discount. Vamos!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Tour update. Our flagship Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2026 has been fully booked for months now. As of this morning, the 2027 edition of the ultimate orchid-hunting holiday on Rhodes has just 5 places remaining available. #orchids #bloomscrolling #NaturePhotography
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
November 21, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Tour update. Our flagship Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2026 has been fully booked for months now. As of this morning, the 2027 edition of the ultimate orchid-hunting holiday on Rhodes has just 5 places remaining available. #orchids #bloomscrolling #NaturePhotography
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Long-tailed & Short-tailed Blue, both great British rarities in Frohawk's day. The latter still is, but Long-tailed Blue now seems to arrive annually in southern England in very small numbers.
Today features Long-tailed & Short-tailed Blue, both great British rarities in Frohawk's day. The latter still is, but Long-tailed Blue now seems to arrive annually in southern England in very small numbers.
November 21, 2025 at 6:53 AM
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies & artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Long-tailed & Short-tailed Blue, both great British rarities in Frohawk's day. The latter still is, but Long-tailed Blue now seems to arrive annually in southern England in very small numbers.
Today features Long-tailed & Short-tailed Blue, both great British rarities in Frohawk's day. The latter still is, but Long-tailed Blue now seems to arrive annually in southern England in very small numbers.
June 2017, orchid-hunting as always, but above all blessed to be at Hampden Park on 24 June. The Stone Roses were the soundtrack to so many of my days in the field.
"Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened"
#RIPMani
"Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened"
#RIPMani
November 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
June 2017, orchid-hunting as always, but above all blessed to be at Hampden Park on 24 June. The Stone Roses were the soundtrack to so many of my days in the field.
"Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened"
#RIPMani
"Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened"
#RIPMani
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Like all our butterfly tours, Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees next July offers ample opportunities for guests to take their time to enjoy their photography, and to take home beautiful lasting memories.
#NaturePhotography
#NaturePhotography
November 20, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Like all our butterfly tours, Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees next July offers ample opportunities for guests to take their time to enjoy their photography, and to take home beautiful lasting memories.
#NaturePhotography
#NaturePhotography
Reposted by Jon Dunn
The accommodation for our Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees is a cut above - Casa Sarasa is run by naturalists for naturalists, set in stunning countryside and with wildlife on the doorstep. Leader Peter's moth trap can yield some enormous surprises...
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The accommodation for our Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees is a cut above - Casa Sarasa is run by naturalists for naturalists, set in stunning countryside and with wildlife on the doorstep. Leader Peter's moth trap can yield some enormous surprises...
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Rafflesia hasseltii: a plant seen more by tigers than people. Watching this flower open by night was the closest thing to magic:
November 19, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Rafflesia hasseltii: a plant seen more by tigers than people. Watching this flower open by night was the closest thing to magic:
Reposted by Jon Dunn
1/2 #speciesaday no. 672 is the obscene Parasitic Bolete (Pseudoboletus parasiticus) growing from its host Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum). Around 10 years ago I was seeing this all around the West Weald. I guess it will come round again.
November 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
1/2 #speciesaday no. 672 is the obscene Parasitic Bolete (Pseudoboletus parasiticus) growing from its host Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum). Around 10 years ago I was seeing this all around the West Weald. I guess it will come round again.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Postcard from the field from our wandering tour leader, Michele Viganò - Miki has been in the Western Sahara in the past week, and his first postcard shared with us is this gorgeous Sand Cat (Felis margarita). Stay tuned for more North Africa wildlife postcards from Miki this coming winter!
November 18, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Postcard from the field from our wandering tour leader, Michele Viganò - Miki has been in the Western Sahara in the past week, and his first postcard shared with us is this gorgeous Sand Cat (Felis margarita). Stay tuned for more North Africa wildlife postcards from Miki this coming winter!
Reposted by Jon Dunn
It's not just butterflies that feature on our Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees tour. Our local naturalists, Peter Rich & Pau Lucio, are no one-trick ponies - they know their other wildlife too, and will be pointing out birds, moths, orchids et al!
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
November 18, 2025 at 9:11 AM
It's not just butterflies that feature on our Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees tour. Our local naturalists, Peter Rich & Pau Lucio, are no one-trick ponies - they know their other wildlife too, and will be pointing out birds, moths, orchids et al!
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Cotswold grazed grassland was where I saw this chunky little Cordyceps militaris recently #Fungi #Mushrooms #Mycology #UKNaturalist #Wildlife #FungiFriends
November 17, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Cotswold grazed grassland was where I saw this chunky little Cordyceps militaris recently #Fungi #Mushrooms #Mycology #UKNaturalist #Wildlife #FungiFriends
Reposted by Jon Dunn
And naturally, like ALL of our butterfly tours, this one generates a donation to support the crucial conservation work of the brilliant team @europebutterfly.bsky.social, who work tirelessly to help some of the most threatened #butterflies across Europe. (3/3)
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
November 17, 2025 at 8:39 AM
And naturally, like ALL of our butterfly tours, this one generates a donation to support the crucial conservation work of the brilliant team @europebutterfly.bsky.social, who work tirelessly to help some of the most threatened #butterflies across Europe. (3/3)
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
A mouth-watering range of butterflies may be seen during the tour, including some of the most iconic species found in Europe, and some Pyrenean specialities too.
A guaranteed departure on 2-9 July, your leaders will be knowledgeable local naturalists Peter Rich & Pau Lucio. (2/3)
A guaranteed departure on 2-9 July, your leaders will be knowledgeable local naturalists Peter Rich & Pau Lucio. (2/3)
November 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A mouth-watering range of butterflies may be seen during the tour, including some of the most iconic species found in Europe, and some Pyrenean specialities too.
A guaranteed departure on 2-9 July, your leaders will be knowledgeable local naturalists Peter Rich & Pau Lucio. (2/3)
A guaranteed departure on 2-9 July, your leaders will be knowledgeable local naturalists Peter Rich & Pau Lucio. (2/3)
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
Our featured Spanish tour this week is Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees, a tour that offers guests an unrivalled immersion into the outstanding and dramatic butterfly diversity of the Pyrenees. (1/3)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Our featured Spanish tour this week is Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees, a tour that offers guests an unrivalled immersion into the outstanding and dramatic butterfly diversity of the Pyrenees. (1/3)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
November 17, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
Our featured Spanish tour this week is Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees, a tour that offers guests an unrivalled immersion into the outstanding and dramatic butterfly diversity of the Pyrenees. (1/3)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Our featured Spanish tour this week is Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees, a tour that offers guests an unrivalled immersion into the outstanding and dramatic butterfly diversity of the Pyrenees. (1/3)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) near Gipsy Point, East Gippsland, VIC. The flowers are fairly small at this location but they generally feature some of the bushiest beards of the local Calochilus. Only saw the one plant out this year in a dry spring #Orchids #OzPlants #InTheField
November 15, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Purple Beard Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) near Gipsy Point, East Gippsland, VIC. The flowers are fairly small at this location but they generally feature some of the bushiest beards of the local Calochilus. Only saw the one plant out this year in a dry spring #Orchids #OzPlants #InTheField
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady orchid
I’ve posted this picture before, but I’m posting it again because I love the contrast between the orchid’s blue flowers and reddish orange of the Aussie bush it’s growing in 💙🧡
#orchids #ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #photography
I’ve posted this picture before, but I’m posting it again because I love the contrast between the orchid’s blue flowers and reddish orange of the Aussie bush it’s growing in 💙🧡
#orchids #ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #photography
November 14, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Thelymitra crinita - Blue Lady orchid
I’ve posted this picture before, but I’m posting it again because I love the contrast between the orchid’s blue flowers and reddish orange of the Aussie bush it’s growing in 💙🧡
#orchids #ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #photography
I’ve posted this picture before, but I’m posting it again because I love the contrast between the orchid’s blue flowers and reddish orange of the Aussie bush it’s growing in 💙🧡
#orchids #ozflora #wildoz #nativeplants #nature #photography
Reposted by Jon Dunn
In addition to the 50+ species of orchids we regularly find for our guests on our Orchids of Rhodes tour, the ultimate orchid experience on the island, we also make a point of seeking plants with curious colour and pattern variations. Variety is good!
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
November 15, 2025 at 10:27 AM
In addition to the 50+ species of orchids we regularly find for our guests on our Orchids of Rhodes tour, the ultimate orchid experience on the island, we also make a point of seeking plants with curious colour and pattern variations. Variety is good!
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
There's something two-faced in Rhodes. I don't see it every year, but I keep my eyes open for it...
Occasionally Ophrys bee #orchids form lusus flowers, with aberrant petals and/or sepals. Here's Ophrys calypsus and O. polyxo, each with two lips fused on one flowerhead.
Occasionally Ophrys bee #orchids form lusus flowers, with aberrant petals and/or sepals. Here's Ophrys calypsus and O. polyxo, each with two lips fused on one flowerhead.
November 15, 2025 at 9:17 AM
There's something two-faced in Rhodes. I don't see it every year, but I keep my eyes open for it...
Occasionally Ophrys bee #orchids form lusus flowers, with aberrant petals and/or sepals. Here's Ophrys calypsus and O. polyxo, each with two lips fused on one flowerhead.
Occasionally Ophrys bee #orchids form lusus flowers, with aberrant petals and/or sepals. Here's Ophrys calypsus and O. polyxo, each with two lips fused on one flowerhead.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Tailed leek orchid (Prasophyllum appendiculatum) near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only found the two plants out here this year which may have been a result of a dry spring - or me only having a quick look a week or so earlier than I usually drop by ;) #orchids #inthefield #ozplants
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Tailed leek orchid (Prasophyllum appendiculatum) near Genoa, East Gippsland, VIC. Only found the two plants out here this year which may have been a result of a dry spring - or me only having a quick look a week or so earlier than I usually drop by ;) #orchids #inthefield #ozplants
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Coppers may be pennies from heaven, but we know the pounds count too - which is why our Early Bird booking discount offers £150 off the cost of any of our week-long tours in 2026 if booked before 1 December.
All our tours, and availability, are here:
www.mariposanature.com/calendar
All our tours, and availability, are here:
www.mariposanature.com/calendar
November 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Coppers may be pennies from heaven, but we know the pounds count too - which is why our Early Bird booking discount offers £150 off the cost of any of our week-long tours in 2026 if booked before 1 December.
All our tours, and availability, are here:
www.mariposanature.com/calendar
All our tours, and availability, are here:
www.mariposanature.com/calendar
Reposted by Jon Dunn
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies and artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Large Copper, a flaming brand of a butterfly that once haunted the fens of East Anglia. Habitat loss, draining of the land for agriculture, sealed their fate - now lost as a British native.
Today features Large Copper, a flaming brand of a butterfly that once haunted the fens of East Anglia. Habitat loss, draining of the land for agriculture, sealed their fate - now lost as a British native.
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
It's #FrohawkFriday, the day we celebrate the butterfly studies and artwork of FW Frohawk.
Today features Large Copper, a flaming brand of a butterfly that once haunted the fens of East Anglia. Habitat loss, draining of the land for agriculture, sealed their fate - now lost as a British native.
Today features Large Copper, a flaming brand of a butterfly that once haunted the fens of East Anglia. Habitat loss, draining of the land for agriculture, sealed their fate - now lost as a British native.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Anacamptis morio has several subspecies across its European range; this is ssp caucasica from Rhodes
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
Good mourning!
Here's a busy little mourning bee in Rhodes, with Green-winged Orchids on its mind.
#orchids
Here's a busy little mourning bee in Rhodes, with Green-winged Orchids on its mind.
#orchids
November 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Anacamptis morio has several subspecies across its European range; this is ssp caucasica from Rhodes
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
The vernacular name comes from the easily overlooked “Green Wings” on the inside of the hood but its botanical name “morio” means “fool” and references the bright colours associated with a clown
Reposted by Jon Dunn
🦋 Spring Butterflies of Central & Northern Spain
🦋 Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees
🦋 Autumn Exotica in Andalusia
Like ALL our butterfly tours, they generate donations to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
🦋 Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees
🦋 Autumn Exotica in Andalusia
Like ALL our butterfly tours, they generate donations to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
November 13, 2025 at 5:07 PM
🦋 Spring Butterflies of Central & Northern Spain
🦋 Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees
🦋 Autumn Exotica in Andalusia
Like ALL our butterfly tours, they generate donations to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
🦋 Summer Butterflies of the Spanish Pyrenees
🦋 Autumn Exotica in Andalusia
Like ALL our butterfly tours, they generate donations to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Butterfly tour update. 🚨
As of this afternoon, our featured Spanish tour of the week, Spring Butterflies of Andalusia, is now fully booked.
Good news! We've still got availability on 3 further butterfly-watching tours in mainland Spain in 2026. (1/2)
www.mariposanature.com/destinations...
As of this afternoon, our featured Spanish tour of the week, Spring Butterflies of Andalusia, is now fully booked.
Good news! We've still got availability on 3 further butterfly-watching tours in mainland Spain in 2026. (1/2)
www.mariposanature.com/destinations...
November 13, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Butterfly tour update. 🚨
As of this afternoon, our featured Spanish tour of the week, Spring Butterflies of Andalusia, is now fully booked.
Good news! We've still got availability on 3 further butterfly-watching tours in mainland Spain in 2026. (1/2)
www.mariposanature.com/destinations...
As of this afternoon, our featured Spanish tour of the week, Spring Butterflies of Andalusia, is now fully booked.
Good news! We've still got availability on 3 further butterfly-watching tours in mainland Spain in 2026. (1/2)
www.mariposanature.com/destinations...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
...and, of course, like all of our orchid holidays, this one generates a donation to @bsbibotany.bsky.social. From our very first orchid tour, we've donated to support the superb, proactive conservation research and work BSBI, its staff, and its generous volunteers perform every single year. (3/3)
November 13, 2025 at 8:32 AM
...and, of course, like all of our orchid holidays, this one generates a donation to @bsbibotany.bsky.social. From our very first orchid tour, we've donated to support the superb, proactive conservation research and work BSBI, its staff, and its generous volunteers perform every single year. (3/3)