Swallowtail Grove in the San Elijo Lagoon Area

Western Tiger Swallowtail on a sycamore

The San Elijo Lagoon, North of Del Mar, is known for the waterbirds that hang out in the waters and shore reeds and trees. However, we went searching for butterflies. A few weeks ago we walked along the S.E trail and towards the end we came upon a grove of eucalyptus and sycamore trees. A lone swallowtail flickered across the path and disappeared into the trees. We waited a little then turned back. This time, we decided we would wait a bit.

A Mournful Duskywing (Erynnis tristis)

A slight wind blew as we walked along the more open part of the trail. We wondered if it would be too much for the butterflies. Nevertheless, we saw a couple blues, an orange tip and some cabbage butterflies. As we reached a hill covered with shimmering yellow flowers, an orange butterfly flew across the path and down the hill; but we lost it.

Western Tiger Swallowtail on eucalyptus

Once in the grove, we soon saw a Western Tiger Swallowtail that quickly disappeared. We sat down on a very conveniently placed bench and waited. A hummingbird zipped up to the branches across from us. “I think it went to a nest,” Rowshan said. He zoomed in with his camera and found it. As I tried to locate it with my binoculars, the swallowtail returned. It fluttered off teasingly but another emerged from a forest. They seemed to be fascinated by a particular tree—a sycamore. I didn’t know it was a sycamore at the time. One of the benefits of watching butterflies is you learn a lot about plants as well.

Aggressive Mourning Cloak

Rowshan went over to the tree and several startled swallowtails flew off. They eventually came back, saw Rowshan and circled away. As this was happening, I noticed a mourning cloak. It aggressively chased the larger swallowtails adding yet another obstacle to Rowshan’s photographic attempts.

Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis milberti)

The mourning cloak perched on a tree in front of me. Its wings were a bit ragged. According to one of the books I read recently, this is because the mourning cloak can last through the winter in its butterfly form. In the spring, the new broods hatch with rich brown wings. As I was watching the mourning cloak, Rowshan told me to look up. There directly above me was a beautiful silver shouldered hawk. It surveyed us for a while and then took off, perhaps startled when my binoculars reflected a flash of sunlight.

Dancing Swallowtails

Finally, a compliant swallowtail settled on a eucalyptus branch in the sunlight. Rowshan happily got his photographs. Then another flew up and they seemed to engage in a strange dance of circling, hovering and spinning. A third joined the frenzy. Then they dispersed.

We’ve decided to name the grove Swallowtail Grove in honor of the butterflies that live there.