Photos from Tuscany and Umbria

[moloch]

After our time on the Amalfi Coast, my wife and I headed north to Tuscany and Umbria. These are lovely regions with rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/1FlorenceMap.jpg

We spent 10 days in Firenze (Florence). This would be one of the nicest cities that we have ever visited. Our apartment was in the old section of town near the spectacular duomo (cathedral). Walking around here felt like walking through a gigantic, outdoor museum. We saw wonderful art, sculptures and renaissance buildings everywhere. It was a very easy place to explore.

October is mid-autumn in Italy and the warm weather finally began to depart. I found a number of butterflies on the first portion of our visit to Tuscany and Umbria but these became more difficult to locate as the temperatures dropped.

I will add butterfly photos later in the post but first I will begin with a number of shots of this amazing place.

Firenze (Florence)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence10.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence2.jpg


The duomo of Firenze. This was the most ornate building that I have ever seen. It was constructed with white, red and green marble and it was absolutely stunning.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence5a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence7a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/Florence7a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence7b.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence1.jpg

[moloch]

Ponte Vecchio, the only original medieval bridge that was not destroyed in WWII. Now, it is the place to go if you like gold jewellery.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence8.jpg

Arno River scene:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence17.jpg


There was not much green in the city but there were a few gardens. I visited the one inside the walls where I searched for butterflies. Weeds grew along the walls and these attracted several species of butterflies.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Florence11.jpg


A better place for butterflies was in the hills near the village of Fiseole. This was a 30 minute bus ride from central Firenze.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Fiseole4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Fiseole1.jpg


Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeus): only one in the gardens
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/LycaenaphlaeusSmallCopper1.jpg


Mallow Skipper (Carcharodus alceae)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/CarcharodusalceaeMallowSkipper1.jpg


I think that this is a male Cleopatra (Gonepteryx cleopatra). Unfortunately, it never would settle with open wings.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/cleopatra.jpg

[moloch]

While watching a Red Admiral near Fiseola, I realized that there was a snake sunning itself a couple of meters away. This was a juvenile Western Whip Snake (Hierophis viridiflavus).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/HierophisviridiflavusWesternWhipSnake1.jpg


Our 10-day visit to Firenze was split with a visit to Assisi in the Umbria region. We stayed in a B&B in Cannara, a village that was located about 10 km from the medieval town of Assisi and 8 km from Spello. Assisi was on the left flank of Mt. Subasio and Spello on the right flank of the photo below. We walked to/from these towns so had plenty of exercise. This was also a good way to see the butterflies and birds of the area. Most of the land was cultivated but there were occasional weedy patches that attracted other animals.

Mt. Subasio
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi1.jpg


A view along the walk to Assisi. Catholic churches were never far away in Italy. This was actually a large cathedral in the distance. I like the lighting with the overcast conditions but sunlit domes.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi2.jpg


Assisi was yet another stunning Italian town. It was walled and most buildings and roads were built with rocks.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi2a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/assisi3a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi16.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi18.jpg


I worked weedy areas around town as well as a road that ascended Mt. Subiaso for butterflies.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi20b.jpg

[moloch]

Butterflies like Clouded Yellows, Wall Browns and Large Whites (I think) were numerous on flowering plants around the fortress within the walls of Assisi.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi10.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/assisi10a.jpg

... view of the surrounding land from the fortress
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Assisi10b.jpg


Spello was also beautiful and also old. People have lived here for centuries and there were Roman ruins in parts of the town. We just loved the rock buildings and laneways.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Spello1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Spello2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Spello3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Spello5a.jpg

[moloch]

Wall Browns (Lasiommata megera) were one of the most commonly seen butterflies. I encountered them out in the plowed fields as well as in towns. The following individual was sheltering between rocks of the fortress walls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/WallBrown1a.jpg

Males had a heavy black bar on the forewing:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Wallbrown3.jpg


...females lacked that feature:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/WallBrown2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/WallBrown4.jpg


I think that the following are all Small Heath (Coenonypha pamphilus)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/SmallHeath1a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/SmallHeath1b.jpg

... the butterfly adopted this pose when a cloud drifted overhead.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/SmallHeath2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/SmallHeath5.jpg


... more tomorrow

[WillFolsom]

David;

A splendid vacation. Glad you took time to take ... and share... those photos. Made for an enjoyable evening. William

[scenar]

Great scenic and butterfly shots... somehow they look "hairier" than the ones we see in warmer climates??

[Silverstreak]

David ,

Beautiful scenery shots and butterflies !

Thank you for sharing with us !

:cheers:

[Bluebottle]

Beautiful place and photos! It must be one of the best vacations.
Thanks for sharing :cheers:
BTW, how many camera/lens were you carrying?

[moloch]

Thanks, all, for the feedback. It has been a fun trip.


Great scenic and butterfly shots... somehow they look "hairier" than the ones we see in warmer climates??
I agree, Yaoyang, that these seem "more hairy" than their tropical relatives. I would guess that it has to do with the cooler temps but am not certain about this.


Loke,
I took most of the scenery shots with a Tamron 18x250mm zoom. Most of the butterflies were photographed with the Tamron 180mm but sometimes I used the zoom if it is mounted at the time. For the snakes, I changed to a Canon 100mm when I have captured them and want closeups. I also have a Canon 50mm but rarely used it. I used a Canon 40D for most of the photos. Otherwise, I have an Olympus point-and-shoot for indoor or people shots.


Regards,

[moloch]

I think that these are male Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/PolyommatusicarusCommonBlue1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/PolyommatusicarusCommonBlue32.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/PolyommatusicarusCommonBlu4.jpg


This composite was common along roadsides. It was popular with the Lycaenids. I think that there are 2 or 3 species visible in this photo. I don't have an underside of the female so am not certain of the species. The large brown-coloured lycaenid was a Lysandra sp., possibly Chalk-hill Blue, Lysandra coridon (thanks, Les)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/blues1.jpg


Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithus).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Leptotespirithus2LangsShort-tailedBlue.jpg

... the uppersurface of the female looks much like the female of the Plumbago Blues (P. plinius) in Australia.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Leptotespirithus1LangsShort-tailedBlue.jpg



Les, this worn lycaenid was bigger than any of the others that I encountered. It usually held its wings almost flat when feeding. Any ideas about what it might be?
Lysandra sp., possibly Chalk-hill Blue, Lysandra coridon (thanks, Les)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/unk1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/unk2.jpg

[moloch]

Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus marshalli)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Cacyreusmarshalli1GeraniumBronze.jpg


Mallow Skippers (Carcharodus alceae)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/CarcharodusalceaeMallowSkipper3.jpg

... some sort of display. The skipper in the upper right landed near the other and then began to rapidly shake its wings.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/CarcharodusalceaeMallowSkipper2.jpg



Clouded Yellow (Colias crocea)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/CloudedYellow1.jpg


I think that was a Large White (Pieris brassicae) due to the size.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Pieris1.jpg


Italian Wall Lizards (Podarcis siculus) and Common Wall Lizards (P. muralis) are hard to separate. I think that this one was a Common Wall Lizard due to the pattern but cannot be certain.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/walllizard1.jpg


These are what I think to be Italian Wall Lizards but again am not certain.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/WallLizard2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/WallLizard3.jpg

[moloch]

Here are a few flower shots from the weedy fields near Cannara.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/flower2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/flowermallow1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/flower1.jpg


... and a sight that we enjoyed on most days, a Gelateria!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/gelato1.jpg


We also liked the following sight, a chocolate festival in Perugia. There were row after row of enclosures in the main piazza of Perugia and all were dedicated to various forms of chocolate.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Perugia2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Assisi/Perugia3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/TuscanyUmbria/Perugia1.jpg


An interesting, compact police vehicle in Assisi. The Smart Cars were tiny but then the laneways of Assisi were narrow.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Assisi/Assisi14.jpg

[Painted Jezebel]

1) I think that these are male Common Blues

2) This composite was common along roadsides. It was popular with the Lycaenids. I think that there are 2 or 3 species visible in this photo. I don't have an underside of the female so am not certain of the species.

3) Les, this worn lycaenid was bigger than any of the others that I encountered. It usually held its wings almost flat when feeding. Any ideas about what it might be?


1) The undersides are particularly strongly marked, the nicest I have seen!
2) Sorry, looks like a Lysandra species, but can not be sure.
3) Being larger than most, and going by the shape of the orange spots, this is again more likely to be a Lysandra species. However, they are extremely variable. You will understand what I mean when I say that there are over 400 named forms of the Chalk-hill Blue, Lysandra coridon. It is too worn to be able to give any definitive answer. Sorry.

[atronox]

Gelato AND chocolate!!!:redbounce

[Angiud]

Ohhhh l'Italia!

[moloch]

Thanks for help with the identifications, Les.

Aaron,
If you like gelato and chocolate, then Italy would be paradise. Both are everywhere.

Antonio,
Our trip is at an end, but we will come back again for another visit in a couple of years or so. Italy is a beautiful country.


Here is the list of birds that I observed in these regions. Birds were generally scarce and almost always wary:

Bird List Tuscany and Umbria
Little Egret: one along Arno River
Grey Heron: common near Cannara
Mallard: few along Arno River
Sparrowhawk: one flying at Fiseola
Kestrel: seen a few times
Hobby: one near Castellina in the Chianti Region
Moorhen: few along Arno River
Black-headed Gull: common
Rock Dove: common
Wood Pigeon: few around Florence
Collared Dove: common
Green Woodpecker: one in gardens across river from Florence
Crested Lark: common in fields near Cannara
White Wagtail: several along Arno River
Grey Wagtail: one in a drain near Cannara
Robin: common
Wren: one at Fiseola
Black Redstart: one adult and several juveniles near Assisi
Stonechat: two near Assisi.
Blackbird: common
Blackcap: several in gardens near Florence
Sardinian Warbler: several near Assisi
Cettis Warbler: one in thicket of Fiseola
Firecrest: a few near Assisi
Great Tit: fairly common
Long-tailed Tit: small flock at Assisi
Nuthatch: pair in gardens at Florence
Jay: fairly common
Jackdaw: common around towns
Hooded Crow: common
Starling: common
Italian Sparrow: common
Chaffinch: several in gardens of Florence
Goldfinch: common near Cannara
Serin: common

[moloch]

... a few more touristy snaps from this lovely region:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/Florence1a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/Florence25.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/Florence26.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/Florence27.jpg

lovely old medieval building with shops on the ground floor and apartments above:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/Florence23.jpg


Hills of Tuscany near Siena.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Italy%202011/Florence/TuscanynearCastellino1.jpg

[bluefin]

David, a fantastic set of scenic shots, accompanied by a good series of butty shots as well. :)

:cheers:

[moloch]

Thanks, Nelson. We are back in Rome and tomorrow will fly home. Next week, I am off to the eastern deserts of Queensland to look for reptiles. Hopefully, I will find a few butterflies as well so should have an Aussie post before long.

[butterfly_effect]

Wow... that's a lot of ice cream!!! And chocolates!!! Love~! Such beautiful pics! That snake is interesting. It looks like it has a crown on its head.