Today I had a bit of time to run out and check out a tiny bit of Alum Rock Park inbetween all the business with The House. I was there for almost an hour before I had to head back. And I saw SO MANY BUTTERFLIES, it’s not even funny.

A while back, Liam O’Brien told me to check out Alum Rock Park in the early Spring for Butterflies. He MAY have told me that’s where and when to spot Silvery Blues? But it’s a park nearbyish to my parents’ house, and I’m so interested in visiting the many green spaces in the area I had no idea existed where I grew up.

As I was there eversobriefly, I’ll have to absolutely come back. What little I did see of the place, along the Penitencia Creek Trail, was absolutely intriguing and worth far more time there. In addition to SO MANY BUTTERFLIES, there were fascinating rock formations that looked like caves must be in the area. And tons of mysterious ruins when the place was a Mineral Spring destination.

From what little I’ve read so far about the area, it has such an interesting history of these mineral springs. A train even took people there for the “healing benefits” from downtown San Jose!

Unfortunately it is far too late to get into it. But I have to say that I’m so thrilled to have seen sweet views of an Acmon Blue, many a brightly colored yellow Butterfly that NEVER STOPPED FOR ME, loads and loads of Variable Checkerspots, Vivid Dancers getting it on, small fishes in the creek (Sacramentor Suckers??) trying to swim upstream, a California Sister stopping to drink, a Painted Tiger Moth caterpillar (which reminded me of all the Moth versions of it that Allen Fish has been posting to iNat recently!), a Gorgon Copper that I can’t believe I didn’t get decent views or photos of, and a newtome Butterfly!

The Checkered White, which I totally thought was one of many Cabbage Whites flying about. On closer look, it was definitely more designed on its dorsal wings. So pretty! And I’d never heard of this White before!

I saw so little of the place. And can’t wait to spend so much more time there. Next time…