Hiking up to 11,000 feet is tough even for humans. So I am in awe of the alpine butterflies who soar over windy ridges and saddles above treeline, casually fluttering and looking just as colorful and no worse for the wear from their incredible journey. Last week in Yosemite I hiked to a saddle in Gaylor Lakes basin at 11,200 feet and observed an entire rainbow of butterflies on my journey. And at the top, this beautiful Ainse swallowtail butterfly flew by—the wind made it hard to hold my camera but this little creature barely flinched. These alpine butterflies are amazing.
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