Behr's Metalmark Butterfly

Behr's Metalmark Butterfly, Apodemia mormo virgulti, Sycamore Canyon, Poway.

Caterpillar Phacelia

Phacelia cicutaria var hispida, a.k.a. Caterpillar Phacelia, growing on a hot, sunny slope at the Goodan Ranch Sycamore Canyon Preserve. I shot this picture because I really liked the way the bristles glisten like small crystals in the sunlight. A little research on my part revealed that those pretty bristles are a source of contact dermatitis (i.e., a tad toxic). Still pretty but I'm glad I didn't get too close while photographing them.