Mokka mit Schlag » Nature

Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus
Shipley Nature Center, Huntington Beach, 2008-05-26

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California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Dana Point, 2008-03-26

West Coast Lady, Vanessa annabella
San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge, 2008-03-11

I saw this one as soon as I pulled into the parking lot after work. It was clearly a lady, but didn’t feel quite right for either Painted or American. I had to go home and check the field guide, and it did prove to be a uniquely west coast species.

Sara Orangetip, Anthocharis sara
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, 2008-03-02

I think this is my first new butterfly since I moved to California.

Western Fence Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange County, California, 2008-03-02

These things make the Green Anoles I grew up with look like Disney characters.

Harlequin Bugs, Murgantia histrionica
San Joaquin Wildlife refuge, Irvine, CA, 2007-02-18

Despite the warm weather, there aren’t a lot of macroscopic insects out here in southern California just yet. These are the first really interesting ones we’ve found.