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Balkan Copper
Lycaena candens
5th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
This gorgeous Balkan Copper was one of a number of new life-ticks that I added to my list during a tremendous 17 day tour of south-west Bulgaria, this particular male being photographed in a damp meadow at an altitude of 1080 metres above sea level.
5th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
This gorgeous Balkan Copper was one of a number of new life-ticks that I added to my list during a tremendous 17 day tour of south-west Bulgaria, this particular male being photographed in a damp meadow at an altitude of 1080 metres above sea level.
Meleager's Blue
Polyommatus daphnis
7th July 2025. Kyustendil. Bulgaria.
Surely one of the most attractive of the European blue butterflies, this mating pair show off the uniquely scalloped hindwings to great effect. Photographed along a woodland track, where large numbers of other blues were also flying.
7th July 2025. Kyustendil. Bulgaria.
Surely one of the most attractive of the European blue butterflies, this mating pair show off the uniquely scalloped hindwings to great effect. Photographed along a woodland track, where large numbers of other blues were also flying.
Poplar Admiral
Limenitis populi
5th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
Getting this photo of a stunning male Poplar Admiral down on the ground was one of the highlights of my European butterfly career! Such a dramatic, magnificent creature, I had dreamt of getting close up to one for many years; this moment had been a long time coming and it certainly didn't disappoint!
5th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
Getting this photo of a stunning male Poplar Admiral down on the ground was one of the highlights of my European butterfly career! Such a dramatic, magnificent creature, I had dreamt of getting close up to one for many years; this moment had been a long time coming and it certainly didn't disappoint!
Poplar Admiral
Limenitis populi
17th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
An even harder photograph to obtain is of a female Poplar Admiral grounded. The females come down less often and are much more flighty than the males, so I was beyond delighted to capture this image!
17th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
An even harder photograph to obtain is of a female Poplar Admiral grounded. The females come down less often and are much more flighty than the males, so I was beyond delighted to capture this image!
Sandy Grizzled Skipper
Pyrgus cinarae
5th July 2025. Kyustendil. Bulgaria.
Another life tick - this female Sandy Grizzled Skipper was one of only two seen during our visit. I failed to get an upperside shot, but am happy to have seen it at all!
5th July 2025. Kyustendil. Bulgaria.
Another life tick - this female Sandy Grizzled Skipper was one of only two seen during our visit. I failed to get an upperside shot, but am happy to have seen it at all!
Scarce Copper
Lycaena virgaureae
15th July 2025. Bansko. Bulgaria.
It is always a pleasure to see and photograph this iridescent gem of a copper - this fresh male was irresistible, so fresh and posing adorably.
15th July 2025. Bansko. Bulgaria.
It is always a pleasure to see and photograph this iridescent gem of a copper - this fresh male was irresistible, so fresh and posing adorably.
Nicholl's Ringlet
Erebia rhodopensis
18th July 2025. Borovets. Bulgaria.
Yet another lifer, this time a high altitude species photographed on the way from Yastrabets up to Musala hut, where it was flying in excellent numbers. This is a fairly small but rather pretty Erebia, fond of basking on bare rock and stony ground.
18th July 2025. Borovets. Bulgaria.
Yet another lifer, this time a high altitude species photographed on the way from Yastrabets up to Musala hut, where it was flying in excellent numbers. This is a fairly small but rather pretty Erebia, fond of basking on bare rock and stony ground.
Nicholl's Ringlet
Erebia rhodopensis
18th July. Borovets. Bulgaria.
See previous photograph for commentary.
18th July. Borovets. Bulgaria.
See previous photograph for commentary.
Map
Araschnia levana
4th July 2025. Sofia. Bulgaria.
I have many photographs of summer brood Map butterflies, but still find it impossible not to take more when I come across them. This one was particularly obliging, way too busy taking up salts to be disturbed by the camera. A delightful insect!
4th July 2025. Sofia. Bulgaria.
I have many photographs of summer brood Map butterflies, but still find it impossible not to take more when I come across them. This one was particularly obliging, way too busy taking up salts to be disturbed by the camera. A delightful insect!
Lesser-spotted Fritillary
Melitaea trivia
12th July 2025. Melnik. Bulgaria.
This is a common species out in many parts of Greece and Bulgaria, but always nice to see. Found in a range of flowery habitats including meadows, woodland rides and along roadside verges.
12th July 2025. Melnik. Bulgaria.
This is a common species out in many parts of Greece and Bulgaria, but always nice to see. Found in a range of flowery habitats including meadows, woodland rides and along roadside verges.
Lesser Purple Emperor
Apatura ilia
4th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
The area around Samokov was fantastic for Emperors. We had three species (Purple, Lesser Purple and Freyer's) mud-puddling together on the same damp patch along a track running through riverine woodland, an unforgettable sight! This male Lesser Purple was showing off its amazing colours to full effect!
4th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
The area around Samokov was fantastic for Emperors. We had three species (Purple, Lesser Purple and Freyer's) mud-puddling together on the same damp patch along a track running through riverine woodland, an unforgettable sight! This male Lesser Purple was showing off its amazing colours to full effect!
Freyer's Purple Emperor
Apatura metis
4th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
Yet another lifer for me here, and one of my top three targets for our Bulgaria adventure, finally catching up with Freyer's Purple Emperor was a magical moment. Somewhat smaller than the Purple Emperor and very obviously orange in flight, we soon got our eye in for these, and saw quite a few during our stay.
4th July 2025. Samokov. Bulgaria.
Yet another lifer for me here, and one of my top three targets for our Bulgaria adventure, finally catching up with Freyer's Purple Emperor was a magical moment. Somewhat smaller than the Purple Emperor and very obviously orange in flight, we soon got our eye in for these, and saw quite a few during our stay.
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