Monday, April 16, 2012

More photos...


Mule deer
Western bluebird
Compton's Tortoiseshell, Nymphalis vaualbum
Mourning Cloak, Nymphalis antiopa
Satyr Anglewing, Polygonia satyrus
Satyr Anglewing, Polygonia satyrus
Green Anglewing, Polygonia faunus
Green Anglewing, Polygonia faunus

First Spring visit to the Sinlahekin

I spent a couple days at the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area northwest of Omak, WA this past week.  We didn't find the Moss' Elfin as we had hoped, but we recorded several new locations (in the wildlife area) for Mourning Cloaks, Compton's Tortoiseshells, Satyr Anglewings and Green Anglewings, in addition to seeing one each of Milbert's Tortoiseshell (Aglais milberti), Sara Orangetip (Anthocaris sara), and Echo Blue (Celastrina echo).  We also saw a nesting pair of bald eagles, a pair of golden eagles (flying), and several different ducks and other birds, along with over 100 whitetail deer, around 20 mule deer, and 5 bighorn sheep.  Here are some photos from the trip:
Conner's Lake
An arm of Sinlahekin Creek north of Blue Lake

Conner's Lake, view from "Kathy's Shelf"
View of the valley from Kathy's Shelf




Sunday, April 8, 2012

Spring has officially arrived!

Today I spotted two white butterflies fighting in someone's yard, I'm not sure if they were cabbage whites or spring whites, but they are the first of the year!  Next weekend I'll be heading up to the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area to scout out some early spring butterflies I need to photograph, as well as an attempt to find a particular species we believe should be there, and that would be a new record for the Sinlahekin.
I worked on photographing more of the specimens from the wildlife area this week; here is a sample for your enjoyment:
Blue Copper Lycaena heteronea
    

Purplish Copper Lycaena helloides


Behr's Hairstreak Satyrium behrii


"Cascadia" Blue Euphilotes (new species being described)

Boisduval's Blue Plebejus icarioides