Queen Red-tailed Bumblebee Hunting for a Nesting Site

Bombus lapidarius, a Queen Red tailed bumblebee, likely searching for a nesting site along one of the hiking trails on Mont Ventoux, France.  These large bumblebees nest underground, often under rocks or in abandoned rodent nests.  This one was headed towards my sneakers, possibly thinking they were a large rock to burrow under.

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly, Aglais urticae

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly, Aglais urticae, high on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, France. There were a lot of these beautiful Tortoiseshell butterflies; however,they would typically close their wings for better camoflage when they landed. I finally found one with his wings open, as shown in this shot.
This beautiful butterfly is found throughout Europe, Asia, Siberia, China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. It's larvae apparently feed on stinging nettles in at least part of its range.

Wild Daffodils in France

Double Bloom on a Wild Daffodil, Narcissus poeticus, in a medium-sized colony growing in the middle of a meadow high up on Mont Ventoux, France. The same meadow is used as a ski run in the Winter while in summer it is covered in yellow buttercups (not shown).