Observation date: July 25, 2025
Date notes: sunny, 80 degrees, still some wild fire smoke from Canada in our air
Submitted by: Allison Barta
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I found two of them basking on a sandy/gravel road with Gray commas, and 1 Eastern Comma
They open and close their wings very fast, making photos difficult I had no idea what species it was. I'm shocked to see that I found 2 California Tortoiseshells in Northern Minnesota !
Status: Stray
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: July 26, 2025
Coordinator notes: Whoa! Quite a sighting for Minnesota...especially that far north! Have there been recent southerly winds or big storm systems moving up from the SW or the Plains? They must've caught a ride...although it seems pretty fresh. -Jeff Gesell
