A sparkling Pacific Ocean, photographed from Bodega Head on 5 October 2013
It was a warm fall day with an offshore wind, conditions that are good for butterflies (among other things!).
I think I saw more Buckeyes (Junonia coenia) on Bodega Head today than I've ever seen before, including several mating pairs.
Below you can see a pair in the mating position, "tail to tail."
Here's a view from the side, with wings closed, which makes it a little easier to see both individuals (this is the same pair as in the photo above). Butterflies may stay in this position for ~30 minutes or several hours.
I don't know if Buckeye caterpillars ever grow up on Bodega Head, but I'm glad the adults visit here in the fall!
1 comment:
We were walking around behind PRBO yesterday, and also saw more Buckeyes than we'd ever seen in one day before.
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