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
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)
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Sardinia, known as the jewel of the Mediterranean, is home to a jewel-box of #orchids, with a marvellous array including endemic and near-endemic species. Places remain available to join Michele Viganò there next April - the tour's a guaranteed departure... (2/3)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
November 13, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Sardinia, known as the jewel of the Mediterranean, is home to a jewel-box of #orchids, with a marvellous array including endemic and near-endemic species. Places remain available to join Michele Viganò there next April - the tour's a guaranteed departure... (2/3)
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Orchid tour update. 🚨
As of this morning, Late Spring Orchids of Sicily is now fully booked next year, joining Orchids of the Gargano in that status, and just leaving Orchids of Sardinia as our only Italian orchid tour with remaining 2026 availability... (1/3)
@bsbibotany.bsky.social #orchids
As of this morning, Late Spring Orchids of Sicily is now fully booked next year, joining Orchids of the Gargano in that status, and just leaving Orchids of Sardinia as our only Italian orchid tour with remaining 2026 availability... (1/3)
@bsbibotany.bsky.social #orchids
November 13, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Orchid tour update. 🚨
As of this morning, Late Spring Orchids of Sicily is now fully booked next year, joining Orchids of the Gargano in that status, and just leaving Orchids of Sardinia as our only Italian orchid tour with remaining 2026 availability... (1/3)
@bsbibotany.bsky.social #orchids
As of this morning, Late Spring Orchids of Sicily is now fully booked next year, joining Orchids of the Gargano in that status, and just leaving Orchids of Sardinia as our only Italian orchid tour with remaining 2026 availability... (1/3)
@bsbibotany.bsky.social #orchids
Reposted by Jon Dunn
My response to finding jewels such as these is always pretty emotional. 💎 It is a privilege to be guided on these voyages of discovery by leaders with such love, knowledge and expertise. Thank you! #mariposanaturetours 🤩
November 11, 2025 at 12:49 PM
My response to finding jewels such as these is always pretty emotional. 💎 It is a privilege to be guided on these voyages of discovery by leaders with such love, knowledge and expertise. Thank you! #mariposanaturetours 🤩
Part of the joy of working with European #orchids is seeing the reaction they elicit, whether in person from my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests or here online. It's so satisfying to see how they touch something in people. I'm currently writing about that emotional response for a new book.
November 11, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Part of the joy of working with European #orchids is seeing the reaction they elicit, whether in person from my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests or here online. It's so satisfying to see how they touch something in people. I'm currently writing about that emotional response for a new book.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Running 30 April - 7 May 2026, just 1 place remains available to join this perennially popular tour.
And, of course, like ALL our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
And, of course, like ALL our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
November 10, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Running 30 April - 7 May 2026, just 1 place remains available to join this perennially popular tour.
And, of course, like ALL our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
And, of course, like ALL our butterfly tours, it generates a donation to support the great conservation work of @europebutterfly.bsky.social. (2/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
Our featured Spanish tour of the week is Spring Butterflies of Andalusia - a chance to enjoy a mouth-watering array of special butterflies rare or absent elsewhere in Europe. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
Our featured Spanish tour of the week is Spring Butterflies of Andalusia - a chance to enjoy a mouth-watering array of special butterflies rare or absent elsewhere in Europe. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Good morning and welcome to a new week!
Our featured Spanish tour of the week is Spring Butterflies of Andalusia - a chance to enjoy a mouth-watering array of special butterflies rare or absent elsewhere in Europe. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
Our featured Spanish tour of the week is Spring Butterflies of Andalusia - a chance to enjoy a mouth-watering array of special butterflies rare or absent elsewhere in Europe. (1/2)
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
@europebutterfly.bsky.social
Reposted by Jon Dunn
the combination of 'amazing Mark Duffell' & etymology set me off down a rabbit hole that turned into a warren! Weasel scented: all mustelids are stinky, this one likened to rancid garlic x tomcat spray. Ancient Greek for weasel is galê (γαλέη). Myrica gale OTOH, is from Gagel, its German vernacular
Over the winter, our Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Project is running a series of webinars on Tuesday evenings. This week we had the amazing Mark Duffell explaining the etymology of scientific names.
Who knew that 'galeobdolon', the specific name of Yellow Archangel, means weasel-scented?
Who knew that 'galeobdolon', the specific name of Yellow Archangel, means weasel-scented?
November 9, 2025 at 12:38 PM
the combination of 'amazing Mark Duffell' & etymology set me off down a rabbit hole that turned into a warren! Weasel scented: all mustelids are stinky, this one likened to rancid garlic x tomcat spray. Ancient Greek for weasel is galê (γαλέη). Myrica gale OTOH, is from Gagel, its German vernacular
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Boom! All the 'red-tailed shrikes' done in Suffolk this year with Isabelline Shrike at N Warren this afternoon. Made sweeter as it is a grip back for me too, having missed the previous birds. No matter what anyone says to me, I can't see such pale birds not being isabellinus
November 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Boom! All the 'red-tailed shrikes' done in Suffolk this year with Isabelline Shrike at N Warren this afternoon. Made sweeter as it is a grip back for me too, having missed the previous birds. No matter what anyone says to me, I can't see such pale birds not being isabellinus
Reposted by Jon Dunn
My great-grandad was a piano tuner from Huddersfield. He was conscripted into the army during the First World War, and had an awful time. After I found out a bit about what he went through, I wrote a short story. I thought today might be a good day to share it. richarddsmyth.com/2025/11/09/n...
New short story: ‘FP Number Two’
The sky shivers with fever and there are devils on the roofs of the public houses.
richarddsmyth.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
My great-grandad was a piano tuner from Huddersfield. He was conscripted into the army during the First World War, and had an awful time. After I found out a bit about what he went through, I wrote a short story. I thought today might be a good day to share it. richarddsmyth.com/2025/11/09/n...
Ophrys lindia and Ophrys eptapigiensis from this year's @mariposanature.bsky.social Orchids of Rhodes tour that, as usual, I co-led with my good friend @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. Just two of the many rarities we saw that week - we know the island's secret places and hidden taxa treasures intimately.
November 9, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Ophrys lindia and Ophrys eptapigiensis from this year's @mariposanature.bsky.social Orchids of Rhodes tour that, as usual, I co-led with my good friend @thenewgalaxy.bsky.social. Just two of the many rarities we saw that week - we know the island's secret places and hidden taxa treasures intimately.
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Update on our featured tour of the week, Spring Butterflies of Central & Northern Spain - as of this afternoon, it's now got just 4 places left available.
Running 16-23 April, generating a donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social, catch it while you can!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Running 16-23 April, generating a donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social, catch it while you can!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
November 8, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Update on our featured tour of the week, Spring Butterflies of Central & Northern Spain - as of this afternoon, it's now got just 4 places left available.
Running 16-23 April, generating a donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social, catch it while you can!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Running 16-23 April, generating a donation to @europebutterfly.bsky.social, catch it while you can!
mariposanature.com/tours/butter...
Reposted by Jon Dunn
Still undersided?
Our 2026 Spanish butterfly tours are filling fast. All of them benefit from a £150 early bird discount if booked before 1 Dec 2025, and all generate a donation to support @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
Tours all to see on the calendar on our website:
mariposanature.com/calendar
Our 2026 Spanish butterfly tours are filling fast. All of them benefit from a £150 early bird discount if booked before 1 Dec 2025, and all generate a donation to support @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
Tours all to see on the calendar on our website:
mariposanature.com/calendar
November 8, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Still undersided?
Our 2026 Spanish butterfly tours are filling fast. All of them benefit from a £150 early bird discount if booked before 1 Dec 2025, and all generate a donation to support @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
Tours all to see on the calendar on our website:
mariposanature.com/calendar
Our 2026 Spanish butterfly tours are filling fast. All of them benefit from a £150 early bird discount if booked before 1 Dec 2025, and all generate a donation to support @europebutterfly.bsky.social.
Tours all to see on the calendar on our website:
mariposanature.com/calendar
Meanwhile, this coming January, I've the Up Helly Aa winter tour I co-lead here in Shetland for Shetland Nature with my good pal Kate to look forward to. There are still some places available if you fancy a wild and wintery #Shetland adventure with us.
www.shetlandnature.net/holidays/she...
www.shetlandnature.net/holidays/she...
November 7, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Meanwhile, this coming January, I've the Up Helly Aa winter tour I co-lead here in Shetland for Shetland Nature with my good pal Kate to look forward to. There are still some places available if you fancy a wild and wintery #Shetland adventure with us.
www.shetlandnature.net/holidays/she...
www.shetlandnature.net/holidays/she...