Notes about your surroundings.

Brushing Up on Butterflies--As the spring season reaches its peak, the spring flowers are not the only nature show in town. Eighty to 100 varieties of butterflies are common to the county and can now be spotted, hopping from flower to flower and tree to tree.

The following is a list of some of the more abundant butterfly varieties found here this time of year and their identifying characteristics.

* Western tiger swallowtails--Dramatic markings of black bands on yellow wings and the “tails” protruding from each hind-wing make these butterflies easily distinguishable from others. They feed on poplar and willow trees.

* Skippers--Several varieties are common to the area. They are distinguished by their brown color and their flight pattern, which resembles skipping. They are also different from other butterflies in that their antennae end in curved clubs.

* Blues--Again, several species are common here. These are small butterflies and are usually blue, although their colors are darker and more pronounced in spring than in summer. The pygmy blue--the smallest of all North American butterflies--is spotted here frequently.

* California ringlets--Near-white in color, these small butterflies are very common. They prefer wooded areas to open fields and usually feed only at night, on grasses.

* California sisters--Brownish butterflies with orange-tipped wings and white bands, they frequent the upper branches of live oaks.