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I'd missed the previous spring's butterflies (as usual), so I was very eager to see some of the species one only sees early in the season. I went to Malibu Creek State Park for what would be my thirteenth trip of the year, and finally the Sara Orangetips I hoped to see had emerged. This male is at Fiddleneck on Crag's Peak Road, which leads through the heart of the park to the area where the TV show M*A*S*H was filmed.

February 25, 2006

Another much sought-after species is the Sonoran Blue, distinguished by the orange patches on its blue wings. I have found it reliably in the San Gabriels along the West Fork trail up San Gabriel Canyon, and on Barrett-Stoddard Road off Mt Baldy Road. Until the 1960s there was a colony of a different Sonoran Blue subspecies that were darker on the underside and resided in the San Gabriel Canyon wash, but by the time they were scientifically described they were gone, wiped out by an Army Corps of Engineers project that destroyed their habitat in the canyon.

March 3, 2006

When hiking in our local mountains you may see many Acmon Blues; in guides you'll see a similar species called the Lupine Blue that is easily confused with Acmon. For a long time I wondered whether I actually had any Lupine photos among the scores of Acmon I had shot over the years, and I really tried to learn the subtle differences between the two species. Then I finally saw this Lupine Blue female on the West Fork Trail in the San Gabriels and I instantly knew what it was. It was noticably larger than Acmon, the orange hindwing band was a deep orange, and the blue was almost denim-blue. That holds true for the San Gabriels, but the situation is different as you move beyond our area. In fact, the taxonomy of this group has long been controversial and is still unsettled.

May 6, 2006

This was another sublime butterfly that for some reason had eluded me. On this day I went to Malibu Creek State Park with a couple of target butterflies in mind: the Gorgon Copper and the Satyr Comma. Not only was the weather perfect that day (70s and clear, no wind, and it had rained a couple days before), but I wasn't even out of the parking lot when I saw a Gorgon Copper - my first - right there along the edge of the asphalt. I took a couple dozen shots of that male, then started the hike, but not before seeing a Satyr Comma still in the parking lot and a mule deer grazing nearby. The Comma didn't stay long and the background wasn't great, but the hike was off to a great start and I actually got this Gorgon later in the hike and the Comma (below) further in. A hike in early summer at Malibu Creek, while everything is still green and flowering, can be incredible. Mud, flowers and sun - three reasons to call in sick and get outdoors on a quiet weekday.

May 23, 2006

What I remember about this photo is the sense of relief I felt when I took it. I had been to Malibu Creek many times and seen fresh Satyr Commas patrolling along the creek past one of the far bridges (before the MASH site), but no matter how patient I was I could not get one to stop where I could get just the right photograph. But this is not an uncommon species in riparian habitats so I figured I would eventually get a good shot. As I mentioned above, I'd seen one in the parking lot but the background - asphalt - wouldn't do. I would have to wait... and wait.... Finally, crossing the bridge over the creek one day, I saw this one right in front of me. I set my flash, focussed, and clicked. Just that easy. You can be in the right place at the right time, but when all is said and done, it's up to them.

May 23, 2006

I found this Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak along the Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriels in June. In fact, I saw much more than this, and that is one reason I've included the photo. The Yerba Santa along that highway in June can be absolutely swarming with butterflies, and I must have seen over a thousand that day, which is unusual for our local mountains. This is when Variable Checkerspots are peaking, and hundreds of them are joined by several species of hairstreak, some blues, and many of the usual nymphs, swallowtails and skippers. Stopping at the pullouts where there are flowers at the right time of year and taking a close look is all you have to do to have a memorable day.

June 25, 2006

This was taken in the meadow near the Champion Lodgepole Pine near Big Bear Lake. I had two dozen species that day, including these Greenish Blues (subspecies 'hilda'). The brown butterfly is female, the blue is male. Late June is a potentially great time for this area, which is about 7500' elevation and on the north-facing slopes. The snow has usually melted by then, the creeks are flowing and the butterfly and wildflower action is at its peak. On a sunny day this is my favorite area in the San Bernardino Mountains.

June 27, 2006

I planted a Cassia tree in my backyard for one reason: to draw Cloudless Sulphurs. Once in the ground, it took just a couple of weeks before the females started stopping by to oviposit on the buds, as did this one. Before the Cassia I didn't see these in the yard, so it's been really satisfying to watch them appear regularly. No larva have survived yet, possibly because ants aggressively patrol the whole plant, but it is rapidly growing and I think that will change.

October 25, 2006