California Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Nymphalis californica

Photographer: G. Price

back to Native Flora/Fauna

California Tortoiseshells fluttering around, Sept 6.2MB 540p 12 sec

Found a group of these at Little River Road east of Roseburg.
They were fluttering their wings and just walking around on the ground.

If one happens to walk in some grasses they'll alight on you and sip the
nectar off your jeans and shirt. I knew something was up when I looked at
my shadow and saw movement coming from the back of my shoulder.
The black splash pattern on the upper part of the wings is similar to a Compton Tortoiseshell.
P.S. Their proboscis tickles.

Habitat: lowland forest edges, glades, parklands

URL: https://www.oregonwaterfalls.net/tortoise.htm