Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterfly catching some rays
I found this beautiful Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterfly perched in a shrub of native Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum, Rosaceae) - a perch in the sun on a chilly day. The butterfly looks black and white when it flies, but it is really rich chocolate brown with creamy yellow wing margins. The blue spots are wonderful. I don't see them very often, sometimes in midsummer (like this), but usually in midwinter. This completes a trio of the butterflies that I usually find in midwinter, including the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and the California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica). A couple of days ago, I spotted a little Blue (Polyommatinae, Lycaenidae) butterfly flying by. The years also fly by! (San Marcos Pass, 16 January 2017)
I had an appointment in town his morning, so I got a late start for new photos today. I took my usual walk in the canyon, and had some luck finding critters! I also found some mushrooms, and I'm falling behind with posting photos. We do have more rain expected on Wednesday night and Friday and again on Sunday, which might give me a chance to catch up. It's a good problem to have.
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterfly catching some rays
I found this beautiful Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterfly perched in a shrub of native Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum, Rosaceae) - a perch in the sun on a chilly day. The butterfly looks black and white when it flies, but it is really rich chocolate brown with creamy yellow wing margins. The blue spots are wonderful. I don't see them very often, sometimes in midsummer (like this), but usually in midwinter. This completes a trio of the butterflies that I usually find in midwinter, including the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) and the California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica). A couple of days ago, I spotted a little Blue (Polyommatinae, Lycaenidae) butterfly flying by. The years also fly by! (San Marcos Pass, 16 January 2017)
I had an appointment in town his morning, so I got a late start for new photos today. I took my usual walk in the canyon, and had some luck finding critters! I also found some mushrooms, and I'm falling behind with posting photos. We do have more rain expected on Wednesday night and Friday and again on Sunday, which might give me a chance to catch up. It's a good problem to have.