May is a fine butterfly month at Alum Rock. One of my favorite trails to take then is the Sycamore switchback trail, which climbs a steep

 slope on the southeastern part of the park.

The Buckeye trees are in bloom as well as the Blue Elderberrys. 

There is a profusion of butterflies taking advantage of this, and it's wonderful to see.

This is a Western White butterfly on a buckeye inflorecence.

 (Aesculus californica)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkerspot on a buckwheat. the buckwheat.  Eriogonums are great pollinator plants. There are quite a few on the rocky outcrops half way up the trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Orange Tip on a Buckeye flower. (Aesculus californica)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Checkerspot on Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)