natomapaul's Favorites

Near it's host Willow and nectarting eclusivly on Shortpod Mustard (Hischfeldia incana) now budding and flowering. This is the second straight year that Sylvan Hairstreaks have returned to this area of MIssissippi Bar in very good numbers along this section of trail near the pedestrian/bike connector paved trail...it is sympatric with the California Hairstreak that emerges one week earlier.

Male seen nectaring on Leafy California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var.foliolosum) at the most eastern stand of buckwheat behind the Shadow Glen Horse Stables at Mississippi Bar.
Right now the numbers of Eastern Tailed-Blue are high in the area. The buckwheat has recently bloomed with many flower buds still seen. We seem to be getting off to a good year for butterflies with these California Buckwheat blooming out now.

"Two of a Kind" I hit a winner coming across Lake Natoma to the east side of the lake. Looking directly at "Cone Mountain" from the bike trail I found a very substantial stand of Leafy Fleabane (Erigeron Foliosus) that are drawing many
California Hairstreaks to it's flowers. I counted a good dozen or so in the area nectaring. My discovery is the first for seeing these hairstreaks across the lake and in these numbers looks good for a well established colony in this oak woodland in rock tailings.

Seen nectaring on Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus) blooms found along St Florian Ct road in Cool Ca.
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/L/imagehtmls/Nymph/Coenonympha_tullia_california_Upper_Kern_Canyon_Kern_Co_CA_USA_11-V-05_2_i.htm