June 24, 2023 – Trip Leader: David James

Bethel Ridge, west of Yakima along Hwy 12, is always a good place to find butterflies during the summer. And it lived up to its reputation on our late June field trip. We saw 20 species in the sunshine from swallowtails, to whites, sulfurs, checkerspots, blues and duskywings. We also saw a few Julia Orange Tips, testament to the fact that it was still spring at 5,000 feet. The snow had only thawed a few weeks previously and the normally riotous flower show was only just beginning. We did see a gorgeous Painted Lady, one of the pioneers that have since set up a very good Painted Lady summer in Washington. Later in the day, the clouds came over and slowed the butterflies down. The silver lining from these particular clouds was the fact that butterflies with sub-optimal body temperatures paused long enough on fingers and hands to provide excellent photographic opportunities. We were also able to see close up just how hairy mountain butterfly bodies can be to provide insulation from mountain cold.

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