Canfield Gulch Loop Trail - Antoine Peak

Last Sunday, May 27, I hiked the Canfield Gulch Trail northeast of Spokane, WA and observed many butterflies, several of which I was able to photograph. I was particularly thrilled to get several nice photos of Arctic Skippers and see more in a few hours (~10) than I have seen total (~4) in past years!

Arctic Skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon), +/- 10
Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba), 1
Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon), 2
Pale Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon), LOTS
Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus), >10
Sulphur sp. (Colias sp.), 1
Julia Orangetip (Anthocharis julia), 1
Thicket Hairstreak (Callophrys spinetorum), 1
Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon), 1
Echo Azure (Celastrina echo), LOTS
Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus), 2 confirmed, probably more
Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus), 2
Green Anglewing (Polygonia faunus), 1
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), 1
Mylitta Crescent (Phyciodes mylitta), 2
Northern Checkerspot (Chlosyne palla), 1
Western Meadow Fritillary (Boloria epithore), 1
Ochre Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia), +/- 20

One of many Black-headed Grosbeaks serenading our hike

Mylitta Crescent, male

Western Meadow Fritillary, male

Juba Skipper, female

Northern Checkerspot, male

Satyr Anglewing, female

Satyr Anglewing, female

Thicket Hairstreak, very fluttery and kept crawling around on the ground and flying, thus the blurry photo

Green Anglewing

Green Anglewing

Pale Tiger Swallowtail nectaring on Ninebark

Arctic Skipper, male

Arctic Skipper, male

Arctic Skipper, female (I think)

Arctic Skipper, female (I think)

Arctic Skipper, female (I think)

Echo Azure, male

Echo Azure, female ovipositing on Oceanspray

Freshly-laid Echo Azure egg on Oceanspray

Cooper Mountain Nature Park

On May 19, I hiked a loop of the Cooper Mountain Nature Park in Beaverton, OR. The weather was a bit cloudy but several butterflies were seen:
Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba)
Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
Silvery Blues (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
Mylitta Crescents (Phyciodes mylitta)
Lorquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)

Nelson's Checkermallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana), endangered

Silvery Blue egg on vetch

Fresh oak galls forming

Some kind of large native geranium

Oregon Sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum)

White Rock Larkspur (Delphinium leucophaeum), endangered

Cat's ear lily

Cat's ear lily

Mylitta Crescent (they wouldn't hold still!)

Silvery Blue

Silvery Blues

Mylitta Crescent

Book Announcement: Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest

My book with Robert Michael Pyle is now out! ...I know, I'm a bit late in posting this...it came out last month and has caused a flurry of activity in my trying to distribute complimentary copies to all the photographers and answering many dozens of emails. We've been pleased and humbled by the enthusiastic response it has had so far.
You may find it at major retailers and many local bookstores. It's a great resource covering all butterfly species in Washington, Oregon, and surrounding edges of British Columbia, Idaho and California, if I do say so myself :)

Also, don't forget to check out my own website where I'm selling my two self-published books: northwestbutterflies.com

Species Profile: Polygonia (Anglewings)

With a few reports of anglewings appearing on sunny days around our region lately, I thought it a good time to talk about these rustic beauties. We have four species in the Pacific Northwest: Satyr, Oreas, Hoary, and Green. They are also often referred to as "commas", a reference to the silvery white comma marking on the underside of the otherwise gray or brown hindwing. The lighter orange Satyr Anglwing and darker Green Comma are the most common across our region, with the Hoary Comma not far behind but more restricted to the mountains. The Oreas Anglewing is widespread but very uncommon and often pops up only in ones or twos mixed with the other anglewings. It is one of the few butterfly species I have yet to personally see in the Pacific Northwest!

Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus)

Wingspan: 45 to 51 mm

Male: golden orange with black spots, dark brown to rusty wing margin, HW margin has row of diffuse yellow spots. Ventral wings have bands in shades of brown with dark striations running parallel to the body. White comma on VHW.

Female: wings less angular and lighter in color, ventral pattern much less distinct.

Egg: light green.

Larva: brown and black with white patches in early instars, mostly cream with black and light yellow markings in final instar. All instars covered with sets of spines.

Pupa: yellowish gold or reddish brown with three pairs of silver spots.
Larval host: stinging nettle.

Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) final instar larva on stinging nettle.

Satyr Anglewing (Polygonia satyrus) chrysalis.

Oreas Anglewing (Polygonia oreas)

Wingspan: 40 to 50 mm

Male: rusty orange and gold with black spots, dark brown wing margin with row of bright yellow spots. Ventral is variegated in contrasting shades of dark brown and black. White comma on VHW.

Female: slightly lighter dorsal and ventral colors and less-distinct ventral mottling.

Egg: green.

Larva: first two instars are brown and pale beige with black hairs and spines. Last three instars are mostly black with thin, white or yellowish bands around each segment and covered with rows of yellow-orange spines.

Pupa: mottled reddish brown, white and gray, with three pairs of silver spots.
Larval host: currants (Ribes), primarily swamp currant (R. viscosissimum).

Hoary Comma/Anglewing (Polygonia gracilis)

Wingspan: 35 to 51 mm

Male: rusty orange with black spots, indistinct dark brown wing margin with row of bright yellow spots. Ventral wings are variegated in contrasting shades of gray with with a submarginal row of greenish yellow spots. White comma on VHW.

Female: slightly lighter dorsal and ventral colors.

Egg: green.

Larva: mostly black, finely marked with white, yellow, brown and orange and covered with rows of black and yellowish to reddish spines.

Pupa: mottled tan, dark brown, gray and black, with three pairs of silver spots.
Larval host: mostly currants (Ribes), sometimes elm (Ulmus) and Cascade azalea (Rhododendron albiflorum).

Hoary Comma (Polygonia gracilis) final instar larva on Cascade azalea.

Green Comma/Anglewing (Polygonia faunus)

Wingspan: 45 to 51 mm

Male: deep rusty orange with black spots, wide dark brown wing margin with row of yellow spots. Ventral wings are variegated in shades of gray and brown with two submarginal rows of teal-green spots. White comma on VHW.

Female: wings less angular and lighter in color, ventral pattern is less distinct.

Egg: green.

Larva: mostly black covered with white or lavender markings and rows of yellowish spines, developing orange markings in later instars.

Pupa: purplish tan with light and dark markings.
Larval host: Salicaceae (willow, alder, birch, aspen).

Off to the races!

My online store, northwestbutterflies.com, is now open for business! I am offering two books: Butterflies of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area and Pocket Guide to the Butterflies of Washington. There is a limited run of the Sinlahekin book due to an issue with the printer which I am hoping to resolve within a few months. I am also offering a selection of photographic prints and magnets in small quantities to test their popularity; if these are successful, I will begin to offer other items. Because my blog name has become well-known, I chose to register it as my official business. Speyeria Press is my self-publishing press name under the business of Northwest Butterflies.

Thank you for bearing with me as I work out the kinks of operating a business for the first time. I am only offering shipping to the USA and Canada to start with. I may be able to add other international shipping options once I become more established.