San Fran very very long shot....

[rezamink]

Hi all,

Whilst in San Francisco earlier this month I managed to get a couple of 'Not great' shots of a couple of skippers.....

These are two different individuals taken in different locations round the city....

Any ideas?

Cheers!

Damian

[Padfield]

The markings on the underside do suggest some form of sandhill skipper (Pollites sabuleti), though the upperside strikes me as not being this.

I think Pete has been to California and had direct experience. If he can't do it, I do have a butterfly mate in Switzerland who spent a year in California whom I can ask. I haven't seen him for over a year, though, because it turned out he was a collector and I don't like going butterflying with collectors...

Guy

[Pete Eeles]

I think Pete has been to California and had direct experience.

Unfortunately, I was there in February and only saw Monarchs. Lots of 'em

Oh - and a few West Coast Lady.

Cheers,

- Pete

[rezamink]

Thanks very much for your help on this...

Please note: The two butterflies shown are different individuals (hence upper and hindwings don't match). The first individual (uppersides shot) was taken in Golden Gate park by the side of 'Stow Lake', whilst the second shot (underside view) was taken in the 'garden' of my hotel on the Shore of San Francisco Bay (by the Airport). Both individuals were amazingly 'fast' and only alighted briefly before disappearing never to be seen again!

Here's a skipper I did manage to ID!

It's a Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus) which was a fantastic little butterfly!