We're in the midst of a now two-week long rainy spell. But on February 24, and also on February 27, I saw fresh male cabbage butterflies during a couple of dry days. The first butterflies of the year! Once this storm passes through and the weather warms up a bit, the western tiger swallowtails (Papilio rutulus) should be out and about.
I work in the wildlife protection field. Mainly endangered species. My favorite endangered species are the California tiger salamander, Queen Alexandre's birdwing butterfly and the Ohlone tiger beetle.