Cryptic underside of a California Tortoiseshell butterfly's wings
Here is one more shot of a California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) butterfly on my hand, see my [Previous] photo. The cryptic underwings are remarkable, like the marbled endpapers of fine old books. The butterflies are almost invisible with wings closed unless you happen to see one land. This specimen is somewhat tattered. These butterflies overwinter as adults, but I've been seeing more of them right now in spring than I've ever seen before. I have another photo (not on Flickr) with six of them on a sandstone outcrop at one time. (San Marcos Pass, 25 March 2019)
Cryptic underside of a California Tortoiseshell butterfly's wings
Here is one more shot of a California Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis californica) butterfly on my hand, see my [Previous] photo. The cryptic underwings are remarkable, like the marbled endpapers of fine old books. The butterflies are almost invisible with wings closed unless you happen to see one land. This specimen is somewhat tattered. These butterflies overwinter as adults, but I've been seeing more of them right now in spring than I've ever seen before. I have another photo (not on Flickr) with six of them on a sandstone outcrop at one time. (San Marcos Pass, 25 March 2019)