Sunday, May 31, 2009

California Tortoiseshell

This visitor to the garden stopped just barely long enough so that I could take its picture.



The larvae of the California Tortoiseshell butterfly feed on Ceanothus. The adult butterflies feed on nectar.

6 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a beauty! Love the deep black edging on the wings. We have ceanothus but probably none of those guys. The bees do love it, though!

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  2. Ah, well, I'm always amazed when I see a butterfly photo. So far, I've not managed this feat. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Karen, this butterfly ranges throughout the western US so you might see it.

    Town Mouse, butterfly photos are always a matter of luck for me. I've been seeing Chalcedon Checkerspots all over the garden but can't get a shot!

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  4. That's lovely! Butterflies are difficult to catch.

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  5. Michelle,
    We saw 10s of thousands of these last August near Yosemite. The whole day was a woow experience. Came back the next day and only 50 or so remained, they travel in large numbers.

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  6. Randy, that had to have been an amazing sight. I don't think I've seen one of these in the garden yet this year.

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