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| Western Tiger Swallowtail on a sycamore |
The San Elijo Lagoon, North of Del Mar, is known for the waterbirds that hang out in the waters and shore reeds and trees. However, we went searching for butterflies. A few weeks ago we walked along the S.E trail and towards the end we came upon a grove of eucalyptus and sycamore trees. A lone swallowtail flickered across the path and disappeared into the trees. We waited a little then turned back. This time, we decided we would wait a bit.
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| A Mournful Duskywing (Erynnis tristis) |
A slight wind blew as we walked along the more open part of the trail. We wondered if it would be too much for the butterflies. Nevertheless, we saw a couple blues, an orange tip and some cabbage butterflies. As we reached a hill covered with shimmering yellow flowers, an orange butterfly flew across the path and down the hill; but we lost it.
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| Western Tiger Swallowtail on eucalyptus |
Once in the grove, we soon saw a Western Tiger Swallowtail that quickly disappeared. We sat down on a very conveniently placed bench and waited. A hummingbird zipped up to the branches across from us. “I think it went to a nest,” Rowshan said. He zoomed in with his camera and found it. As I tried to locate it with my binoculars, the swallowtail returned. It fluttered off teasingly but another emerged from a forest. They seemed to be fascinated by a particular tree—a sycamore. I didn’t know it was a sycamore at the time. One of the benefits of watching butterflies is you learn a lot about plants as well.
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| Aggressive Mourning Cloak |
Rowshan went over to the tree and several startled swallowtails flew off. They eventually came back, saw Rowshan and circled away. As this was happening, I noticed a mourning cloak. It aggressively chased the larger swallowtails adding yet another obstacle to Rowshan’s photographic attempts.
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| Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis milberti) |
The mourning cloak perched on a tree in front of me. Its wings were a bit ragged. According to one of the books I read recently, this is because the mourning cloak can last through the winter in its butterfly form. In the spring, the new broods hatch with rich brown wings. As I was watching the mourning cloak, Rowshan told me to look up. There directly above me was a beautiful silver shouldered hawk. It surveyed us for a while and then took off, perhaps startled when my binoculars reflected a flash of sunlight.
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| Dancing Swallowtails |
Finally, a compliant swallowtail settled on a eucalyptus branch in the sunlight. Rowshan happily got his photographs. Then another flew up and they seemed to engage in a strange dance of circling, hovering and spinning. A third joined the frenzy. Then they dispersed.
We’ve decided to name the grove Swallowtail Grove in honor of the butterflies that live there.