Do you agree that being a lepidopterist is often about surprising yourself, or, rather letting nature surprise you? This could probably be said for any observer of nature. This month, we join our local lepidopterists in some unexpected moments from their autumn adventures.
Where do you find some of the elusive butterflies? Is it luck or savvy? Maybe a mixture of both. Join Steve Cary and other lepidopterists as they cleverly search out our winged friends.
The Sierra Grande of New Mexico beckons and proves to be a challenging, but fruitful, journey for local lepidopterist Steve Cary. Sugarite Canyon brings together butterfly enthusiasts from across the southwest and beyond. Will they find what they are looking for?
In spring, Monarchs from Mexico are working their way north and east into their milkweed breadbasket.
Brown Elfin is of a group of Hairstreaks (Callophrys spp.) that we see in spring; many are Elfins.
After overwintering as pupae, several species of whites and orangetips eclose in early spring and immediately set about searching for mates on desert hilltops.
Each of our resident butterflies has a plan to survive winter.
Mike Sanchez and I wanted to check out the northern side of the Sandias, so we started out early and the first place we stopped was the Tunnel Spring trailhead.
Bryan Reynolds has strong New Mexico connections and is very generous with his experience and with his spectacular photos.
