Then I got a note that said many were flying near Auburn, specifically around where Hwy 49 crosses the North Fork of the American River. The note also said there were "a few" around Rock Creek Road on Hwy 193 near Chili Bar. I couldn't wait to go look. I drove out to the area, and while parking along the road for my first get-out-to-look stop, I saw a small blue bug flying by on the other side of the road. I grabbed my camera and walked over to wait for it to land, and when it did, I was staring at my first Sonoran Blue!In fact I spend only half an hour walking around that same spot and saw many many of them. The air temp was probably around 65° and the day was perfect for flight. I was very pleased.
The only other species I saw yesterday were a few Propertius Duskywings (Erynnis propertius).
I had to go back today and look again. What a strange surprise! Today I saw only one Philotes but I saw many many of what I think were Lupine Blues (Plebejus lupini; they may have been Acmon...) and numerous Painted Ladies (Vanessa cardui). Heck, I even watched three Sara Orange-tips (Anthocharis sara sara) fly by, but none would park for a photo. Add one sighting of a bright yellow bug going by fast and I'll suppose it was an Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) since there isn't anything else that color (at least commonly seen) that I can think of.
That makes a pretty good start for my year.
Visit the butterflie page at ElDoradoCNPS.org
