A good Spring indicator butterfly is the close relative
to the Orange-tip Butterfly, the Marble. There are
several close species in the Marble group and you
would have to get a careful look to seperate them
(not as tough as gulls though!!). They have been
flying in the foothills since after the first couple of
days of the warm spell about three weeks ago.
An even earlier flier was the Mourning Cloak back
in February. They hibernate under bark, etc and
come out when sufficiently warmed regardless of
the season. Today, in Puyallup, the dreaded 'starling'
of the butterfly, the European Cabbage Butterfly,
world was visiting the dandelions (the 'starling' of
the plant world??).

ANother incredibly delicate spring butterfly, Spring Blue,
is out in small numbers, also.

Did I meet the 'bird' reference requirement of Tweeters?
Haven't seen a dragonfly, yet!!


Bob Taylor
Sumner, WA, USA
taylorrt at msn.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth Boyd" <critrhse at webtv.net>
To: <avisys at mindspring.com>
Cc: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: First Butterfly


> Ah yes, butterflies!
>
> I have seen one also, Sat. the 9th, in quilcene.
>
> I did not get close enough to tell if it was a painted lady for
> sure,but thought probably was.
>
> Betty
> Chimacum, Wa
> critrhse at webtv.net
>