Another orchid hybrid today from Rhodes - Ophrys x buttleri, hybrid of the Mirror Orchid (O. speculum) I shared earlier this week, and King Ferdinand's Orchid (O. regis-ferdinandii), also shown here for comparison.
Not long now before I'm back among the #OrchidsOfRhodes...
Not long now before I'm back among the #OrchidsOfRhodes...
December 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Another orchid hybrid today from Rhodes - Ophrys x buttleri, hybrid of the Mirror Orchid (O. speculum) I shared earlier this week, and King Ferdinand's Orchid (O. regis-ferdinandii), also shown here for comparison.
Not long now before I'm back among the #OrchidsOfRhodes...
Not long now before I'm back among the #OrchidsOfRhodes...
King Ferdinand’s Orchid or Earwig Orchid (Ophrys speculum subsp. regis-ferdinandii).
Small flowered and (some say) ugly #orchid. What say you?
Small flowered and (some say) ugly #orchid. What say you?
March 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
King Ferdinand’s Orchid or Earwig Orchid (Ophrys speculum subsp. regis-ferdinandii).
Small flowered and (some say) ugly #orchid. What say you?
Small flowered and (some say) ugly #orchid. What say you?
Just 4 of 19 orchid species the Greenwings Rhodes tour were privileged to see on our first full day. Ophrys regis-ferdinandii, Ophrys calypsus, Serapias vomeracea and Ophrys rhodia. #orchid
April 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Just 4 of 19 orchid species the Greenwings Rhodes tour were privileged to see on our first full day. Ophrys regis-ferdinandii, Ophrys calypsus, Serapias vomeracea and Ophrys rhodia. #orchid
Always a popular #orchid on our exclusive Rhodes tour. As is Ophrys speculum subsp. regis-ferdinandii (& the hybrid between the two).
There is still time to join us this spring..
greenwings.co/our-holidays...
A donation goes to @bsbibotany.bsky.social from this tour too!
#BSBICorporateSupporter
There is still time to join us this spring..
greenwings.co/our-holidays...
A donation goes to @bsbibotany.bsky.social from this tour too!
#BSBICorporateSupporter
February 20, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Always a popular #orchid on our exclusive Rhodes tour. As is Ophrys speculum subsp. regis-ferdinandii (& the hybrid between the two).
There is still time to join us this spring..
greenwings.co/our-holidays...
A donation goes to @bsbibotany.bsky.social from this tour too!
#BSBICorporateSupporter
There is still time to join us this spring..
greenwings.co/our-holidays...
A donation goes to @bsbibotany.bsky.social from this tour too!
#BSBICorporateSupporter
Pulchrocladia sp. (possibly P. ferdinandii)
This has to be one of the most beautiful and delicate lichen species that we have in Australia. This one was growing on a granite outcrop in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region
#fungifriends #lichen #wildoz #inaturalist
This has to be one of the most beautiful and delicate lichen species that we have in Australia. This one was growing on a granite outcrop in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region
#fungifriends #lichen #wildoz #inaturalist
July 9, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Pulchrocladia sp. (possibly P. ferdinandii)
This has to be one of the most beautiful and delicate lichen species that we have in Australia. This one was growing on a granite outcrop in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region
#fungifriends #lichen #wildoz #inaturalist
This has to be one of the most beautiful and delicate lichen species that we have in Australia. This one was growing on a granite outcrop in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region
#fungifriends #lichen #wildoz #inaturalist
I've shared some outrageous Ophrys bee orchid hybrids with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests in Rhodes on recent tours. These take some beating - Ophrys speculum x O. rhodia, and Ophrys regis-ferdinandii x O. ferrum-equinum.
Just 3 places left available to join me for #OrchidsOfRhodes 2027...
Just 3 places left available to join me for #OrchidsOfRhodes 2027...
December 11, 2025 at 7:06 AM
I've shared some outrageous Ophrys bee orchid hybrids with my @mariposanature.bsky.social guests in Rhodes on recent tours. These take some beating - Ophrys speculum x O. rhodia, and Ophrys regis-ferdinandii x O. ferrum-equinum.
Just 3 places left available to join me for #OrchidsOfRhodes 2027...
Just 3 places left available to join me for #OrchidsOfRhodes 2027...
For an #OrchidADay: Ophrys regis-ferdinandii
August 28, 2024 at 5:30 AM
For an #OrchidADay: Ophrys regis-ferdinandii
Today seems like the day to share an ugly royal in my #CountdownToRhodes - King Ferdinand's Orchid is, with the best will in the world, not the most attractive of Ophrys bee #orchids. Still, apart from spawning the occasional hybrid, it's not implicated in any serious wrongdoing...
February 19, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Today seems like the day to share an ugly royal in my #CountdownToRhodes - King Ferdinand's Orchid is, with the best will in the world, not the most attractive of Ophrys bee #orchids. Still, apart from spawning the occasional hybrid, it's not implicated in any serious wrongdoing...
How better to start the weekend than with some colourful, unabashed joy? Here's just a small selection of the Ophrys bee #orchids we'll be sharing with our guests on our popular Orchids of Rhodes tour in just a few weeks time.
February 22, 2025 at 7:05 AM
How better to start the weekend than with some colourful, unabashed joy? Here's just a small selection of the Ophrys bee #orchids we'll be sharing with our guests on our popular Orchids of Rhodes tour in just a few weeks time.
Many of the Granite outcrops of the southern regions of WA can be home to
Pulchrocladia ferdinandii, an incredibly structured Lichen that grow on the moss beds and under shrubs of the outcrops! I wonder what evolutionary pressures, the outcrops cause this growth habit?
Pulchrocladia ferdinandii, an incredibly structured Lichen that grow on the moss beds and under shrubs of the outcrops! I wonder what evolutionary pressures, the outcrops cause this growth habit?
September 6, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Many of the Granite outcrops of the southern regions of WA can be home to
Pulchrocladia ferdinandii, an incredibly structured Lichen that grow on the moss beds and under shrubs of the outcrops! I wonder what evolutionary pressures, the outcrops cause this growth habit?
Pulchrocladia ferdinandii, an incredibly structured Lichen that grow on the moss beds and under shrubs of the outcrops! I wonder what evolutionary pressures, the outcrops cause this growth habit?
Here's a #bloomscrolling start to the weekend - a couple of fine #orchid hybrids from Rhodes to brighten the day!
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2027 is now almost half full - we can't wait to see what rare treasures we find there.
#BSBIcorporatesupporter
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2027 is now almost half full - we can't wait to see what rare treasures we find there.
#BSBIcorporatesupporter
October 18, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Here's a #bloomscrolling start to the weekend - a couple of fine #orchid hybrids from Rhodes to brighten the day!
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2027 is now almost half full - we can't wait to see what rare treasures we find there.
#BSBIcorporatesupporter
Our Orchids of Rhodes tour for 2027 is now almost half full - we can't wait to see what rare treasures we find there.
#BSBIcorporatesupporter
Apparently, no one has mentioned the Pompa Introitus Ferdinandii on Bluesky so far. Yay! It just so happens that I am passionate about it. 🧵 #art #AncientBluesky
December 1, 2024 at 7:42 PM
Apparently, no one has mentioned the Pompa Introitus Ferdinandii on Bluesky so far. Yay! It just so happens that I am passionate about it. 🧵 #art #AncientBluesky
Yep, Rhodes in April is rather brilliant 👍🏻 - so so much to see.
October 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Yep, Rhodes in April is rather brilliant 👍🏻 - so so much to see.
A Lemon-Scented Sun Orchid (Thelymitra antennifera) on a sunny, spring-like day growing on a granite outcrop next to a Coral Lichen (Pulchrocladia ferdinandii) #orchids #biodiversity #lichen #ozflora #wildoz 🌿🍄📸
August 11, 2024 at 10:18 PM
A Lemon-Scented Sun Orchid (Thelymitra antennifera) on a sunny, spring-like day growing on a granite outcrop next to a Coral Lichen (Pulchrocladia ferdinandii) #orchids #biodiversity #lichen #ozflora #wildoz 🌿🍄📸
In Rhodes on an orchid tour and your guides haven't shown you these achingly rare #orchid hybrids? You're not travelling with Team Mariposa on the ultimate #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. It's no wonder our tours here fill up 2 years in advance. Second week for 2028 now taking bookings...
April 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
In Rhodes on an orchid tour and your guides haven't shown you these achingly rare #orchid hybrids? You're not travelling with Team Mariposa on the ultimate #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. It's no wonder our tours here fill up 2 years in advance. Second week for 2028 now taking bookings...
#WilliamScrots (fl. 1537-54)
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
before 1549
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
before 1549
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
June 14, 2025 at 11:07 AM
#WilliamScrots (fl. 1537-54)
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
before 1549
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
before 1549
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
#OTD #TDIH #February25, 1634:#HBD #Wallenstein! #AlbrechtVonWallenstein #ThirtyYearsWar #ReligiousWars #HolyWars #BellumSacrum #FerdinandII #FerdinandIIHolyRomanEmperor #HabsburgMonarchy #Religion #Catholicism #Protestantism #Christianity #TIRO
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrech...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrech...
February 25, 2025 at 3:33 AM
If you’re thinking about a #RhodesOrchidOddity, we’ve just the tour for you - our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of Rhodes’ incredible array of orchid species, hybrids and variants. Our track record speaks for itself; guest testimonials speak volumes too. (1/2)
#orchids
#orchids
April 17, 2026 at 6:52 AM
If you’re thinking about a #RhodesOrchidOddity, we’ve just the tour for you - our #OrchidsOfRhodes tour is the ultimate exploration of Rhodes’ incredible array of orchid species, hybrids and variants. Our track record speaks for itself; guest testimonials speak volumes too. (1/2)
#orchids
#orchids
#OTD 23 Jan 1516
King #FerdinandII of Aragon died in Madrigalejo, Extremadura & laid to rest in the Royal Chapel, La Capilla Real Granada
His was succeeded by his imprisoned & declared insane daughter, #JuanaofCastille
But it was her son who ruled becoming #CharlesI of Spain & Holy Roman Emperor
King #FerdinandII of Aragon died in Madrigalejo, Extremadura & laid to rest in the Royal Chapel, La Capilla Real Granada
His was succeeded by his imprisoned & declared insane daughter, #JuanaofCastille
But it was her son who ruled becoming #CharlesI of Spain & Holy Roman Emperor
January 23, 2025 at 6:26 AM
#OTD 23 Jan 1516
King #FerdinandII of Aragon died in Madrigalejo, Extremadura & laid to rest in the Royal Chapel, La Capilla Real Granada
His was succeeded by his imprisoned & declared insane daughter, #JuanaofCastille
But it was her son who ruled becoming #CharlesI of Spain & Holy Roman Emperor
King #FerdinandII of Aragon died in Madrigalejo, Extremadura & laid to rest in the Royal Chapel, La Capilla Real Granada
His was succeeded by his imprisoned & declared insane daughter, #JuanaofCastille
But it was her son who ruled becoming #CharlesI of Spain & Holy Roman Emperor
Of course, there's another @mariposanature.bsky.social orchid tour I lead that qualifies for #Twosday, and that's the flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes. It's full for 2027, and for 2028, so we're running a second week in 2028... which has 2 places left available...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
June 16, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Of course, there's another @mariposanature.bsky.social orchid tour I lead that qualifies for #Twosday, and that's the flagship #OrchidsOfRhodes. It's full for 2027, and for 2028, so we're running a second week in 2028... which has 2 places left available...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
www.mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
Hybrid #orchids are so cool. Here are just some of what #Rhodes offered us in April 2025.
@mariposanature.bsky.social
@mariposanature.bsky.social
May 20, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Hybrid #orchids are so cool. Here are just some of what #Rhodes offered us in April 2025.
@mariposanature.bsky.social
@mariposanature.bsky.social
Tour update 🚨
As of this evening, the first two bookings have been made for the 2028 edition of our unrivalled #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. These tours fill years in advance, and for good reason - there's simply no orchid tour that bears comparison with them. #orchids
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
As of this evening, the first two bookings have been made for the 2028 edition of our unrivalled #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. These tours fill years in advance, and for good reason - there's simply no orchid tour that bears comparison with them. #orchids
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
January 19, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Tour update 🚨
As of this evening, the first two bookings have been made for the 2028 edition of our unrivalled #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. These tours fill years in advance, and for good reason - there's simply no orchid tour that bears comparison with them. #orchids
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
As of this evening, the first two bookings have been made for the 2028 edition of our unrivalled #OrchidsOfRhodes tour. These tours fill years in advance, and for good reason - there's simply no orchid tour that bears comparison with them. #orchids
mariposanature.com/tours/botani...
#OTD 22 Apr 1451
#IsabellaI warrior Queen of Castile was born
Reigning over a unified Spain with her husband #FerdinandII of Aragon
Pious & devout yet unafraid to ride into battle it is evident where daughter #KatherineofAragon qualities originated
She died aged 53 Medina del Campo
#IsabellaI warrior Queen of Castile was born
Reigning over a unified Spain with her husband #FerdinandII of Aragon
Pious & devout yet unafraid to ride into battle it is evident where daughter #KatherineofAragon qualities originated
She died aged 53 Medina del Campo
April 22, 2024 at 12:38 PM
#OTD 22 Apr 1451
#IsabellaI warrior Queen of Castile was born
Reigning over a unified Spain with her husband #FerdinandII of Aragon
Pious & devout yet unafraid to ride into battle it is evident where daughter #KatherineofAragon qualities originated
She died aged 53 Medina del Campo
#IsabellaI warrior Queen of Castile was born
Reigning over a unified Spain with her husband #FerdinandII of Aragon
Pious & devout yet unafraid to ride into battle it is evident where daughter #KatherineofAragon qualities originated
She died aged 53 Medina del Campo
So with each passing week, I sorted hundreds of photos to find one of each species. With help on hand from our guides @dunnjons & @thenewgalaxy, and Tsifis & Antonipoulos’s trusty 2 volume atlas. All errors (there must be some!) and omissions my own
#AnOrchidAWeek #orchids
3/n
#AnOrchidAWeek #orchids
3/n
April 3, 2025 at 5:58 PM
So with each passing week, I sorted hundreds of photos to find one of each species. With help on hand from our guides @dunnjons & @thenewgalaxy, and Tsifis & Antonipoulos’s trusty 2 volume atlas. All errors (there must be some!) and omissions my own
#AnOrchidAWeek #orchids
3/n
#AnOrchidAWeek #orchids
3/n
#FrancescoTerzi (1523-91)
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
ca. 1556-7
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
ca. 1556-7
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
June 14, 2025 at 11:12 AM
#FrancescoTerzi (1523-91)
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
ca. 1556-7
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg
Portrait of #FerdinandII, Archduke of Further Austria (1529-95), who was #BornOnThisDay
ca. 1556-7
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna
#Habsburg