A slow and powerful flight, carried by the thermal currents of the summits.
A true survivor from the glacial eras, the Apollo is one of the few butterflies capable of thriving at altitudes exceeding 2,000 meters.
Its sturdy body is covered in fine black hairs that act as a thermal coat, allowing it to absorb every bit of solar heat from the earliest light. Unlike many other butterflies, its flight is heavy and somewhat bird-like, alternating between steady wingbeats and gliding. This energy conservation is vital in an environment dominated by wind and cold. Seeing this white silhouette against the deep blue of the alpine sky remains one of the most magical moments for a mountain photographer.
