HikeArizona.COM

Hi, this is my first time hiking in October but I am very taken by all the butterflies in the sonoran desert. Based on your experience, which are the best months for butterflies? Do they last through our winters? Which months are best for spring butterflies? Think I am developing a new addiction here
Thank you in advance.
Usha

Butterflies will be active through the winter, but they avoid the frost. In my experience the most concentrated sightings are usually along flowing creeks in muddy areas.

It thins out in the Winter, especially after the Frost and in the Spring, Summer and Fall, the Species tend to change according to their Cycle or Migratory Patterns...Right now, the Sulphurs and the Hairstreaks are the most promiment with some particular Species of other Families mixed in....You want to go nuts over Photographing Sulphurs, go to Gilbert Water Ranch right now...They are thick, thick, thick and if you have several hours you might get to see a few land and sit still for 1/1000 of a second...

As you learn your way around HikeArizona.com you will find all sorts of hidden treasures. In the Books Section under Flora and Fauna is the best reference on Arizona Butterflies http://hikearizona.com/books.php?ID=119&STu=3

Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Desert Botanical Garden have special butterfly exhibits in the spring.

Another possible option, I don't know of anyone who has been yet, but this just opened up this year in Scottsdale.
http://www.butterflywonderland.com/

@nonot
thank you for the suggestion. Dragonfly trail/spur cross area near me fits the description. I will hang out there(no pun intended) more often

@Outdoor Lover
thank you for the suggestion. will plan to go there. Do you think Monarchs will come to town soon

@Al_HikesAZ
Love those books. Just ordered them today. Thank you

@The Eagle
I plan to go there with my daughter soon. But I heard that they have tropical butterflies there instead of sonoran butterflies. Will post pictures.

The Eagle wrote:Another possible option, I don't know of anyone who has been yet, but this just opened up this year in Scottsdale.
http://www.butterflywonderland.com/

I went there with my 8 year old and her munchkin friends. Not sure what to think of it. I debate whether the sense I left with was "gimmicky and not well done tourist trap" or "true nature experience for the public good and education." There are definitely a lot of butterflies on display, both live and flying around, and also the pinned variety. The film was fine, and interesting.

I'm having trouble putting my finger on why it felt less impressive than it should have. Maybe it's lacking exhibits, and quality information and educational materials for either kids or adults. The atrium was the main feature. Everything else looked cheaply put together without much thought. The "live ant colony" was downright pathetic.

All that to say that you should definitely visit, as someone interested in butterflies, and form your own opinion. I'd be interested to hear what you think.

I've heard from multiple parents: "Expensive ripoff" but I have no personal knowledge.
What about the golf thing

New2hyk wrote:Do you think Monarchs will come to town soon

They're already here...Some Monarchs actually call AZ Home while others Migrate through...The Migration would have started at the end of August and is probably still going on somewhat...

mazatzal wrote:What about the golf thing

I don't get it

@Outdoor Lover
Ok. I will keep looking.

Saw at least 4 different species at Lost Dutchman State Park today, including monarchs.

Saw one butterfly that had mostly black wings with red and maybe gold or orange on them. Tried to photograph but I'm only human and that's not quick enough for these fellas.

@neilends
They surveyed MSP recently and identified 35 species. I don't think I saw all of them yet. Pipevine swallow tails don't sit long enough to be photographed