Western Spring Azure butterfly (Celastrina echo) female, May 9, 2018

Western Spring Azure butterfly (female)

Observed on the trail at Cape Mudge Village on May 9, 2018.

These are small early spring butterflies that I start seeing around mid-April into early summer. They are very abundant and can be seen all over Quadra.

What I find interesting is that the females come out a week or two after the males start to fly. They often settle on salmon berry and salad because the leave are wide and get warm in the sun. They finally spread their little wings to take in the sunlight.