Remarkably, air temperatures reached ~70°F (~21°C) in Bodega Bay on 24 February 2024. I was doing a lot of desk work that day, but while eating lunch we saw quite a few butterflies flying by from north to south. Eventually I went out to identify which species were involved.
It was somewhat hard to tell at first because the butterflies weren't stopping, but with persistence I discovered that the majority were California Tortoiseshells (Nymphalis californica) — see above.
25 February 2024 was also a warm and sunny day, and although we didn't go for a walk until late in the afternoon, Eric and I came across a couple of West Coast Ladies (Vanessa annabella) in Cotati...
...and one Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta):
2 comments:
Hi, Jackie. Great to catch that tortoiseshell in flight! I have been enjoying the blue hairstreaks out by the Pt Reyes hostel, and mourning cloaks here and there on my backwoods bike jaunts.
On another subject, I think it was a year or two ago that I might have queried you about a False Killer Whale sighting I might have had off Limantour. Do you recall that - or any other info about one straying up around here?
Thanks and keep up the inspiring photography!
Dennis Olson
Hi, Dennis!
Hmmm...I don't remember a question about False Killer Whales. I'm aware of them being seen in Southern California, e.g., off San Diego.
I have seen the messages on North Bay Birds about the cetacean sighting off Abbotts Lagoon recently. I agree that minke whale is more likely. You'd certainly want to rule out minke before thinking about a more southern species like a False Killer Whale.
I have seen minke whales several times off Bodega Head (and some farther north in Sonoma County/Mendocino County) and on pelagic trips to Bodega Canyon/Cordell Bank -- although I've observed more minkes than I've photographed. They're fast!
https://bodegahead.blogspot.com/2013/07/breaking-surface.html
https://bodegahead.blogspot.com/2016/08/two-more-cetaceans.html
Jackie
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