Roger Harding
@rogercharding.bsky.social
Lover of all things natural history, particularly orchids, butterflies, birds.
Also, travelling to photograph them.
Play harmonica and poker and love whisky
Also, travelling to photograph them.
Play harmonica and poker and love whisky
Reposted by Roger Harding
#ArtAdventCalendar Day 9 is a post-thunderstorm snapshot in the old-growth forest where I work. This black-throated green warbler gave me a rare moment of stillness to admire him. 🪶
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
#ArtAdventCalendar Day 9 is a post-thunderstorm snapshot in the old-growth forest where I work. This black-throated green warbler gave me a rare moment of stillness to admire him. 🪶
Reposted by Roger Harding
Every now and again on Rhodes I'll come across a largely white example of an orchid that would normally be highly colourful. Like the hyperchromic #orchids, they're a fairly scarce find - and one I love to share with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests on our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
December 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Every now and again on Rhodes I'll come across a largely white example of an orchid that would normally be highly colourful. Like the hyperchromic #orchids, they're a fairly scarce find - and one I love to share with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests on our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour.
Reposted by Roger Harding
I've a keen eye for the unusual, and love stumbling upon orchid varieties, particularly when I have @mariposanature.bsky.social guests with whom to share them.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 AM
I've a keen eye for the unusual, and love stumbling upon orchid varieties, particularly when I have @mariposanature.bsky.social guests with whom to share them.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Rhodes is always a happy hunting ground - here just a handful of hyperchromic #OrchidsOfRhodes we've found there over the years.
Reposted by Roger Harding
The Tenerife Giant Orchid, Himantoglossum metlesicsianium, at 1100m asl. in the Corona Forrestal, Tenerife 😃💜🌋 6-12-2025. Especially for Messrs Cole and Blood ... @ukorchids.bsky.social @orchidvinny.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The Tenerife Giant Orchid, Himantoglossum metlesicsianium, at 1100m asl. in the Corona Forrestal, Tenerife 😃💜🌋 6-12-2025. Especially for Messrs Cole and Blood ... @ukorchids.bsky.social @orchidvinny.bsky.social
Reposted by Roger Harding
Every year I, or my European orchid-hunting friends, find at least one flavescens or chlorantha variety of Ophrys bee orchid in Rhodes. Always a pleasant surprise to see the way the genetic dice have rolled and come up with something slightly wayward, where normal rich colours are diminished.
December 7, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Every year I, or my European orchid-hunting friends, find at least one flavescens or chlorantha variety of Ophrys bee orchid in Rhodes. Always a pleasant surprise to see the way the genetic dice have rolled and come up with something slightly wayward, where normal rich colours are diminished.
Matt
I have noticed that you have stopped using the tag RhodesOrchidOdyssey and now use the same RhodesOrchids tag as Mariposa Nature tours.
Is there a business advantage in copying Jon?
@mariposanature.bsky.social
I have noticed that you have stopped using the tag RhodesOrchidOdyssey and now use the same RhodesOrchids tag as Mariposa Nature tours.
Is there a business advantage in copying Jon?
@mariposanature.bsky.social
Day 6 of my #orchid #AdventCalendar
Dense-flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata). Here I present my favourite 'raspberry ripple' flavour, alongside the more frequently encountered 'plain old vanilla' flavour!
#OrchidsOfRhodes
Dense-flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata). Here I present my favourite 'raspberry ripple' flavour, alongside the more frequently encountered 'plain old vanilla' flavour!
#OrchidsOfRhodes
December 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Matt
I have noticed that you have stopped using the tag RhodesOrchidOdyssey and now use the same RhodesOrchids tag as Mariposa Nature tours.
Is there a business advantage in copying Jon?
@mariposanature.bsky.social
I have noticed that you have stopped using the tag RhodesOrchidOdyssey and now use the same RhodesOrchids tag as Mariposa Nature tours.
Is there a business advantage in copying Jon?
@mariposanature.bsky.social
How very weird to copy Jon Dunn's last post today.
Day 6 of my #orchid #AdventCalendar
Dense-flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata). Here I present my favourite 'raspberry ripple' flavour, alongside the more frequently encountered 'plain old vanilla' flavour!
#OrchidsOfRhodes
Dense-flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata). Here I present my favourite 'raspberry ripple' flavour, alongside the more frequently encountered 'plain old vanilla' flavour!
#OrchidsOfRhodes
December 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
How very weird to copy Jon Dunn's last post today.
Look
I rarely post anything unrelated to natural history or wildlife.
BUT what the fxxx is this peace prize from FIFA?
He is a Cuxt.
Ask Venezuela if he deserves it.
FIFA's boots can be seen just sticking out of POTUS arse.
I rarely post anything unrelated to natural history or wildlife.
BUT what the fxxx is this peace prize from FIFA?
He is a Cuxt.
Ask Venezuela if he deserves it.
FIFA's boots can be seen just sticking out of POTUS arse.
December 5, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Look
I rarely post anything unrelated to natural history or wildlife.
BUT what the fxxx is this peace prize from FIFA?
He is a Cuxt.
Ask Venezuela if he deserves it.
FIFA's boots can be seen just sticking out of POTUS arse.
I rarely post anything unrelated to natural history or wildlife.
BUT what the fxxx is this peace prize from FIFA?
He is a Cuxt.
Ask Venezuela if he deserves it.
FIFA's boots can be seen just sticking out of POTUS arse.
Melissa, it is one of my strongest memories of the trip.
Perhaps "Get a xxxxxxx move on" is clearer though?
😁❤️😁❤️
Perhaps "Get a xxxxxxx move on" is clearer though?
😁❤️😁❤️
For #ArtAdventCalendar Day 5, here is a gorgeous Freija's fritillary seen this summer on the @mariposanature.bsky.social trip to the European Arctic. This butterfly was much admired, then much rained on, then relocated and adored once more.
December 5, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Melissa, it is one of my strongest memories of the trip.
Perhaps "Get a xxxxxxx move on" is clearer though?
😁❤️😁❤️
Perhaps "Get a xxxxxxx move on" is clearer though?
😁❤️😁❤️
My mate @stevieparsons.bsky.social will love this. He is a suckered for slime moulds.
A colony of Badhamia utricularis (Hanging Slime-mould) feeding on Bleeding Oak Crust on the underside of a fallen oak in Old Sulehay Forest. Three stages were present - the orange-yellow plasmodium, and both developing and ripe fruiting bodies, the latter dark-grey hanging on orange threads.
📷🍄
📷🍄
December 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
My mate @stevieparsons.bsky.social will love this. He is a suckered for slime moulds.
Reposted by Roger Harding
‘If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise’ 😮 The amazing Aseroe rubra (Anemone Stinkhorn). Surrey 4/12/25 #fungi #FungiFriends
December 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
‘If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise’ 😮 The amazing Aseroe rubra (Anemone Stinkhorn). Surrey 4/12/25 #fungi #FungiFriends
Reposted by Roger Harding
Like all of our orchid tours, from day one of Mariposa's inception, our flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes tour generates a donation to help support @bsbibotany.bsky.social's invaluable conservation work. It's important to us, and we know it's important to our guests too.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
December 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Like all of our orchid tours, from day one of Mariposa's inception, our flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes tour generates a donation to help support @bsbibotany.bsky.social's invaluable conservation work. It's important to us, and we know it's important to our guests too.
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
These are just so cool.
Time-lapse of various species of mushrooms growing
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
These are just so cool.
Reposted by Roger Harding
Day 2 of our #AdventCalendar, and it's a Late Spider Orchid seen in Kent - a star of our Orchid Garden of England daytrips. Like several folk who joined us this year, you could say it with flowers this Christmas for the orchid-lover in your life - a daytrip makes a great present!
December 2, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Day 2 of our #AdventCalendar, and it's a Late Spider Orchid seen in Kent - a star of our Orchid Garden of England daytrips. Like several folk who joined us this year, you could say it with flowers this Christmas for the orchid-lover in your life - a daytrip makes a great present!
"Are you bonkers - booking an orchid hunting trip in 487 days time?"
"Well, I have another trip booked that's 534 days away to Southern Italy"
It's well worth the wait.
You just can't get better than @mariposanature.bsky.social
@dunnjons.bsky.social
and
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
"Well, I have another trip booked that's 534 days away to Southern Italy"
It's well worth the wait.
You just can't get better than @mariposanature.bsky.social
@dunnjons.bsky.social
and
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
Looking at some old orchid photos from Rhodes in 2024 brought back warm memories.
I had to book AGAIN.
A look at the @mariposanature.bsky.social website showed it and just about ALL their 2026 trips were fully booked
So I have booked for 2027!
@dunnjons.bsky.social
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
I had to book AGAIN.
A look at the @mariposanature.bsky.social website showed it and just about ALL their 2026 trips were fully booked
So I have booked for 2027!
@dunnjons.bsky.social
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
"Are you bonkers - booking an orchid hunting trip in 487 days time?"
"Well, I have another trip booked that's 534 days away to Southern Italy"
It's well worth the wait.
You just can't get better than @mariposanature.bsky.social
@dunnjons.bsky.social
and
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
"Well, I have another trip booked that's 534 days away to Southern Italy"
It's well worth the wait.
You just can't get better than @mariposanature.bsky.social
@dunnjons.bsky.social
and
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
Looking at some old orchid photos from Rhodes in 2024 brought back warm memories.
I had to book AGAIN.
A look at the @mariposanature.bsky.social website showed it and just about ALL their 2026 trips were fully booked
So I have booked for 2027!
@dunnjons.bsky.social
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
I had to book AGAIN.
A look at the @mariposanature.bsky.social website showed it and just about ALL their 2026 trips were fully booked
So I have booked for 2027!
@dunnjons.bsky.social
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Looking at some old orchid photos from Rhodes in 2024 brought back warm memories.
I had to book AGAIN.
A look at the @mariposanature.bsky.social website showed it and just about ALL their 2026 trips were fully booked
So I have booked for 2027!
@dunnjons.bsky.social
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
I had to book AGAIN.
A look at the @mariposanature.bsky.social website showed it and just about ALL their 2026 trips were fully booked
So I have booked for 2027!
@dunnjons.bsky.social
@thenewgalaxy.bsky.social
Reposted by Roger Harding
Intended to have a productive foray but Rubes & I were beaten by the rain & wind & turned back after 30 mins - all I found was a single (but perfect) Humpback Brittlegill (Dorset) #Fungi #Mushrooms
December 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Intended to have a productive foray but Rubes & I were beaten by the rain & wind & turned back after 30 mins - all I found was a single (but perfect) Humpback Brittlegill (Dorset) #Fungi #Mushrooms
👍❤️
It's December 1st, day 1 of our annual Mariposa #AdventCalendar - daily wildlife wonders shared until Christmas!
Today we've Ophrys x fajarama, a spectacular hybrid orchid from our brand new Orchids of Basilicata, Campania & Puglia tour. No wonder that one's already fully booked... 😍 #orchids
Today we've Ophrys x fajarama, a spectacular hybrid orchid from our brand new Orchids of Basilicata, Campania & Puglia tour. No wonder that one's already fully booked... 😍 #orchids
December 1, 2025 at 8:56 AM
👍❤️
Reposted by Roger Harding
This week’s #thewinter10 challenge to myself, ten from Kenfig NR in South Wales. It’s definitely getting more difficult but here they are, plus a bonus Sea Spurge that wasn’t really in flower, but I liked it anyway. #wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
This week’s #thewinter10 challenge to myself, ten from Kenfig NR in South Wales. It’s definitely getting more difficult but here they are, plus a bonus Sea Spurge that wasn’t really in flower, but I liked it anyway. #wildflowerhour @wildflowerhour.bsky.social
It's been wonderful to hear positive feedback from existing Mariposa guests, today here at the @bsbibotany.bsky.social conference, and over the course of the last couple of years.
We love being the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays, and are proud those tours support BSBI's great work.
We love being the first choice for orchid-hunting holidays, and are proud those tours support BSBI's great work.
November 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Get on the 'net today. Choose a fabulous trip, and save enough to cover (some of) your bar bill!
🥂🍾🦋🥀
#Mariposa_Nature
These guys REALLY make nature charity donations EVERY trip!!
🥂🍾🦋🥀
#Mariposa_Nature
These guys REALLY make nature charity donations EVERY trip!!
Just a quick post to say this is the last day of our full Early Bird booking discount on our 2025 week-long tours - offering £150 off the list price if booked before midnight tonight.
Full list of tours and remaining availability here on our website:
mariposanature.com/calendar
Full list of tours and remaining availability here on our website:
mariposanature.com/calendar
November 30, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Get on the 'net today. Choose a fabulous trip, and save enough to cover (some of) your bar bill!
🥂🍾🦋🥀
#Mariposa_Nature
These guys REALLY make nature charity donations EVERY trip!!
🥂🍾🦋🥀
#Mariposa_Nature
These guys REALLY make nature charity donations EVERY trip!!
Reposted by Roger Harding
It's such an honour to have the brilliant orchid-hunter @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social as part of Team Mariposa. We're having a great day here at @bsbibotany.bsky.social conference - meeting friends old and new, sharing stories, making plans.
Discussing the Ghost #Orchid and its current status in the British Isles at the @bsbibotany.bsky.social Botanical Conference 2025, handily been put next to the @mariposanature.bsky.social stand so I can talk about our tours too, where you can come and see Ghost #Orchids in the wild if you want to!
November 29, 2025 at 2:15 PM
It's such an honour to have the brilliant orchid-hunter @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social as part of Team Mariposa. We're having a great day here at @bsbibotany.bsky.social conference - meeting friends old and new, sharing stories, making plans.
Reposted by Roger Harding
Ophrys lucis, your 'orchid of light' on Rhodes.
I enjoyed shedding some light myself today. Remember the time a competitor who boasts of his conservation credentials lobbied BSBI to refuse charitable donations from my wildlife tour company?
I do. It's an illuminating tale.
I enjoyed shedding some light myself today. Remember the time a competitor who boasts of his conservation credentials lobbied BSBI to refuse charitable donations from my wildlife tour company?
I do. It's an illuminating tale.
November 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Ophrys lucis, your 'orchid of light' on Rhodes.
I enjoyed shedding some light myself today. Remember the time a competitor who boasts of his conservation credentials lobbied BSBI to refuse charitable donations from my wildlife tour company?
I do. It's an illuminating tale.
I enjoyed shedding some light myself today. Remember the time a competitor who boasts of his conservation credentials lobbied BSBI to refuse charitable donations from my wildlife tour company?
I do. It's an illuminating tale.
Reposted by Roger Harding
Discussing the Ghost #Orchid and its current status in the British Isles at the @bsbibotany.bsky.social Botanical Conference 2025, handily been put next to the @mariposanature.bsky.social stand so I can talk about our tours too, where you can come and see Ghost #Orchids in the wild if you want to!
November 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Discussing the Ghost #Orchid and its current status in the British Isles at the @bsbibotany.bsky.social Botanical Conference 2025, handily been put next to the @mariposanature.bsky.social stand so I can talk about our tours too, where you can come and see Ghost #Orchids in the wild if you want to!
Polar Bear
Mountain Gorrilla
Manatee
Bengal Tiger
Wolverine
Mountain Gorrilla
Manatee
Bengal Tiger
Wolverine
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild:
Bengal Tiger
Northern Right Whale
Bison
Leopard
Blue whale
Bengal Tiger
Northern Right Whale
Bison
Leopard
Blue whale
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild:
Elephant
Rhino
Moose
Badger
Sting Ray
Elephant
Rhino
Moose
Badger
Sting Ray
November 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Polar Bear
Mountain Gorrilla
Manatee
Bengal Tiger
Wolverine
Mountain Gorrilla
Manatee
Bengal Tiger
Wolverine