Leona’s Little Blue butterfly is endemic to Oregon, only found in a small area, roughly six square miles, of pumice fields east of Crater Lake. It is so tiny, with a wingspan of <.75 inches. It is easy to identify, there is nothing else that looks like it. Leona Land, Klamath County, Oregon 42.87053, -121.84761…

The Thicket Hairstreak is a true forest butterfly, spending most of it’s time up in the trees. I have a hard time finding butterflies that do that. These are most likely male, as they were puddling. W Boundary Road, Klamath County, Oregon 42.87051, -121.84763 At a mud puddle where Sand Creek crosses the road July…

While I was at the site photographing this, I thought it was either a Cascade or Columbia Blue. But when I got home and looked at it, I was pretty sure it was not either of those. But after carefully looking at all the maps and checking the counties in Oregon Butterfly Records, it could…

Apparently the Behr’s Hairstreak are quite abundant, but I had never seen one before. Look for them on bitterbrush in hot dusty terrain, along roads and edges of the forest. I found these at the puddle located along the highline path, and it was quite hot and dusty. They also occur in Washington, but in…

The Lilac-bordered Copper is a common Mountain butterfly, often found in flowery meadows or above tree line. None the less, I saw my first ones this year, in both Washington and Oregon. It’s quickly becoming a favorite. Lost Prairie, Linn County, Oregon 44.40371, -122.07576 The prairie is located along Highway 20 in a mountainous section…

Western Pine Elfins are really fast flyers, and can be hard to catch. But when they do alight, I find them usually cooperative to be photographed. Crane Prairie, Deschutes County, Oregon 43.79695, -121.76211 At a campsite we picnicked at next to Crane Prairie Reservoir. July 9, 2023 This is such a bad shot. But it…

I have the best luck finding Mariposa Coppers in meadows or boggy areas, and a moist boggy meadows is the place I’ve had the best luckk. But I have also found them in regular dry meadows and along roadsides. Crane Prairie, Deschutes County, Oregon 43.7969, -121.76218 At the Crane Prairie Campground, beside Crane Prairie Resevoir.…

Boisduval’s Blues are common and numerous. Probably the blue butterfly species I encounter most often in the northwest. Crane Prairie, Deschutes County, Oregon 43.79699, -121.7622 At a campsite we picnicked at next to Crane Prairie Reservoir. July 9, 2023 See I.icarioides in Washington and Idaho.