Observation date: August 07, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Above timber line Around 11,500+ sunny day both days first day saw 2-3, Next day saw more. males patrol a small area fight other males that stray to close Pm they are closed wing if it gets hot. Blend in with color of rocks very hard to see if not startled will go to moist areas especially near melting snow. Males fight for areas chasing others up slope or straight up into the air. After noon windy as desert hot air rises and is replaced by cool Mt. air Females wary easily startled and fly away male return over and over to same spot. Saw one female that was looking for hosts? or moving location that was much lower that others but on a mission not stopping
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: August 13, 2018
Coordinator notes: Glad you found one still flying. I don't think anyone found them during the Yosemite butterfly count. Actually Robert, I have a full series of the California Rockslide Checkerspot and the Colorado ones (not a full series) Chlosyne damoetas. There are actually two species going under the name Rockslide Checkerspot. It is better to look for them a little earlier in the season, they even stray down into Hudsonian Forest at the bottom of the talus slides, even down to Ellery Lake-Ken Davenport
