May 31 - Mill D South (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs in the low 70s (and the possibly of afternoon storms) predicted.

Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to see what the snow situations is at the mid-elevations (7000-8000 feet). I'm honestly expecting snow in spots, especially the forested areas, but I'm thinking the big meadow (my destination) might just be clear. I'll soon find out.

Beautiful morning with the sun shining bright.

The canyon is greening up but there is definitely a lot of snow in the higher elevations.

I arrive at the Mill D parking with only a couple of cars parked (7200ft). The ground is snow free and the creek is running fast from the snow melt.

It's still early season as the only flowers I see in bloom are a few Buttercups.

The ducks are here; I walk by 4 male Mallards standing on the road.

And the ground squirrels are out.

In the wooded sections, there's patchy deep snow still.

Mt Reynolds is still very snowy and sticks out against the blue sky.

I reach the actual trail head, cross the creek

and start the uphill trek. The trail (a dirt road) is a mix of dry, wet, muddy and snow-packed.

The creek next to the trail slowing fast.

About 1/2 up in a clearing a bird call catching my attention. It's a pretty stunning bird; a Macgilivray's Warbler I believe. First time I've seen one but they do breed here in Utah. Cool!

The snow increases the higher I climb.

Despite the snow, I'm still hoping that the meadow might be clear; it's getting full sun after all.

Unfortunately, when I reach the meadow; there's still 3-4 feet still on the trail.  But it sure looks great! (Winter still on the last day of May - crazy!)

As I continue up,

I spot another interesting bird; an Audubon's Warbler I believe. Another first for me and this one breeds here as well.

I reach the flat spot (8220ft) and decide it's time to turn around -- I had my fill of the snow for the day.

Time to start down.

I find one more bird - unfortunately I have no guesses on this one.

Since it's warmed up, I'm hoping to see some overwinterers (Mourning Cloaks, Commas). And I do see one Mourning Cloak (yea).

Good hike!

May 30 - Grandeur Peak & Rattlesnake Gulch

Sunny day predicted and highs near 70.

I get out of work a bit earlier. My original plan was to hike the Little Cottonwood Trail but there's storm clouds brewing (yet again) so I decide to stay closer to home in Millcreek Canyon. My plan is to checkout the butterflies from the road to the Grandeur Peak Trailhead and then, if it hasn't rained yet, see what is flying along Rattlesnake Gulch.

The drive up Millcreek Canyon is devoid of butterflies - much different than the swarms of Painted Ladies flying last time I was here.

The trees (especially the Maples) have leafed out but there's hardly any flowers in bloom.

I park along the road and start up the road to the trailhead. The stream is flowing faster than I've ever seen it.

I check along the stream in the other muddy areas. Pretty disappointing to only find a few Spring Azures.

The unusually cold and wet Spring (over 10 inches of rain) has taken a toll on the butterflies this year.

I also see one Anise Swallowtail

and an Orangetip.

Nearing the trailhead, I stop at the lower falls

(just a single Azure here)

and then up to the upper falls.

I continue up to the footbridge above the falls; usually good butterflies here - but nothing.

Time to head down but first, I stop to watch a White-lined Sphinx moth hopping from Dandelion to Dandelion.

Now over to Rattlesnake Gulch.  This trail is more open an sagebrush but still not much flying. I do see a Red Admiral, a few Spring Azures, a couple of Rocky Mt Duskywings

and one Orangetip.

I make it up the hill and start west on the Pipeline Trail.

Not much in bloom here either but I do find a few Arrowleaf Balsamroot in bloom.

And I see a hummingbird perched on a tree and quickly flying off.

The clouds have really rolled in so I stop about 1/4 miles from the overlook but I still have a good view west.

Good day!

May 26 - Silver Lake and Willow Lake Trails (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Su-nny day in the low 70s predicted. But the sky is filled with high clouds this morning. I debate a bit before deciding to check out the mountains and their hike-ability today. Heading up to the end of Big Cottonwood Canyon and Silver Lake. Last time I was here a few weeks ago the foot bridges were covered in snow but becomes of the cold weather, I was able to get up and across the switchbacks. It's not that today and I'm just hoping to make to the switchback.

Heading up the canon, the snow is definitely melting but still plenty there especially past the town of Silver Lake.

I reach the Silver Lake parking. Temperatures are in the 40s and the sky is overcast. About 1/2 the snow has melted but there's still a good 3-4 feet remaining.

I start across the snow pack post holing along before I find the packed trail (yea). The foot bridge rails are now visible

and more of Silver Lake is visible.

Swallows are flying and a handful of Mallards are around.

I make my way along the side of the lake and take a trail towards the Twin Lakes trail. Unfortunately, due to the melting snow (and lack of traffic), I could not find a trail heading up to the switchback.

I head back to the main trail and over to the dock - again rails visible but dock has 2-3 feet of snow covering.

I was wondering what animal was making tracks along the open water and find my answer - Mallards!

I decide to not head around the remainder of the lake so I just backtrack to my car.

On the way down the canyon, I stop at the Willow Lake trail. It looks clear on the bottom so why not.

Lots of Bluebells emerging all along the trail (and many other flowers).

I see a couple of ground squirrels as I head up.

The aspens are not even starting to leaf out - still very early in the season.

The robins are very active - chirping, chasing each other - as are the Juncos.

I get to the top of the steep climb and as the trail turns east I run into snow. I walk off trail

to find the trail. I find it but its covered. I know I can find my way to the lake but decided I'll wait. In another week, the trail should be mostly clear (assuming we get some sunny days).

On the way down, I see a Flicker and several Stellar Jays.

Good day of scouting.

May 25 - Lambs Canyon Rd and Trail

Finally a sunny day! It's been raining (and snowing in the mountains) since last Thursday (and 20+ degrees below normal). We've even broke the all-time snowfall record at Snowbird; it was 690 inches, we now have 7XX.

Not sure how all the Spring butterflies are surviving this weather but I'm hoping to find some along the Lambs Canyon road this morning; before the clouds roll in around noon. And, I heading up the trail. Only going until I reach consistent snow on the trail and I know I will.

I arrive a bit after 9:30. It's sunny and 59 degrees. Ground is wet from last night rain. If the sun holds, it could be a fun return trip watching butterflies.

I start up the road. The Forget-me-knots are starting to fade and the Bisquitroot is still blooming. I see a new flower today - Bluebells. They are just starting to bloom.

Not expecting to see many butterflies on the way up - cool and much of the road is still in the shade. But surprise, there's a Painted Lady and Rocky Mt Duskywing (only 1)

and an Anise Swallowtail (only 1).

Quiet walk up just listening to the fast moving stream along the creek.

I reach the trail and start up. The trail is snow free at the bottom but no blooming flowers. Just a bunch of green including Solomon's Seal, Waterleaf and Heartleaf Arnica.

Along the creek, it's pretty muddy as expected and there's snow on the north facing side. Also, the Aspen trees are greening up nicely.

As always, hoping to see some butterflies; at least the over-winterers.

At one point I see a Blue but he's too quick but I do catch up with the next one - a Spring Azure.

I also see a Green Comma - first time I've ever got a good angle on the underside to see the green. It's blurry but green! Way cool!

And a Mourning Cloak.

The lower part of the trail is a bit of an obstacle course with all the winter dead fall. Over one log and under the next.

The trail gets easier once I climb the first switchback.

I look for deer or moose but only find tracks. But the birds are out. I see Chickadees and this Junco.

At some point, the clouds roll in. There's blue sky up there except I'm under this big gray cloud. Please go away!

The snow continues to increase and I make it definitely over 1/2 way (above 7600ft) when I reach the snow. Time to turn back.

Just before I reach the road again, I find Fairy Bells in bloom!!

When I'm back to the road, the sun is finally emerging from the big gray cloud. I sit at the trail head for a bit giving the butterflies a chance to come out. I wait long enough for a single Blue butterfly to fly by. Time to head back.

On the way down, I check the muddy areas but no puddling.

However, I do see: 1 Orangetip, a handful of Blues, several hyper Painted Ladies and one Large Marble. Not bad for a not so sunny day!

May 19 - Antelope Island

Yet another day of clouds, rain and hopefully, temps in the 60s. Where did the 70-80s of last week go?

I was supposed to be in southern Utah butterflying the week-end but with the forecast of rain throughout the state, decided to just stay home and enjoy the rain locally.

Heading to Antelope Island for a cruise (and to check on that baby owl as he should be leaving the nest soon).

Along the causeway, I see 2 Black-necked Stilts,

a Lesser Scaup

tons of Grebes,

and even more tons of Gulls.

I reach the island and as usual, head south towards the Ranch.

I don't have to go very far when I see a lone Coyote trotting south down the lake bed.

A little farther south, I spot another coyote moving thru the grasses. He's heading south too (and he's not too far from the Frary Peak road).

Continuing on, just past Frary Peak that I see 2 large ears staring at me in the distance. I pull off and hey, there's a male Pheasant crossing the road with its long tail dragging behind.

Oh yea, the deer; it takes me a little while but I do find those ears again. They are two bucks with growing antlers.

I continue south spotting some bison up close to the mountains.

And then it's the huge Mom/baby herd still in the same area as last week just north of the Ranch.

As I pull into the Ranch parking, there is one bison laying down in the overflow parking lot; 2 bison on the muddy road that leads to the Sentry Trail, and a couple of bison in the general area but farther west. Oh, and there's one bison that is stuck in the fenced area of the Ranch. That could get interesting.

The bison on the muddy road, trot off to the west as 2 horseback riders approach leaving their buddy caged by the fences.

I walk towards the Ranch (owl visit time) and there's a DNR lady trying to open/close the proper gates so that the bison can get out.

She says I can go back towards the owl but be careful because that's the area where the bison is. So I head back because she tells me the Owl babies are out of the nest. Babies! Last week I was told that only one has been seen - cool!!

I head back to the dead tree. There's already one person back by the tree. And the bison only 40 yards away - need to keep an eye on him.

I look up and there's Mom with one baby standing close again Mom.

I didn't get a very good look at the other baby - he's hidden by branches - as the bison is giving us the stink-eye and starts moving our direction. The guy with me says we should start moving back in the woods so I follow. We pass behind some tall grass and lose sight of the bison. We emerge on the other side and I see the bison sprinting through the woods to freedom! Cool, I can go back to the owls!

I return and find the other baby.

What a nice family!

They tell me the Papa hangs out in the trees along the fence line. I check and do not find the owl. But I'm certainly not complaining. Can't beat Mom and fluffy babies!

I head back thru the woods - lots of bison tracks in the mud. And a Robin's egg laying on the ground.

Time to head back north - maybe I'll find a few Pronghorn.

I check on the bison herd just north of the Ranch. They were all standing when I passed the first time, now they are all taking naps.

Continuing on, that small herd of bison near the mountains, well, it's the other half of the Mom/babies and they are on the move southward.

Just past the Frary Peak road, I see another coyote. I actually think he's the one I saw earlier in the day; it's the same area. Still cool!!

I check for that Burrowing Owl I saw last week, but no owl today.

And not far away and in the same spot as last week, I find a Willet (as least I think it's Willet).

I reach the north side of the island and before I can turn to head west, I see a lone Pronghorn on the ridge behind the Visitor's center!!

I start the loop and find a Curlew in the grasses

and 2 Pronghorn to my left.

Continuing on towards Bison Point, there's another Pronghorn (a lone one)!

I turn towards White Rock  and quickly see another 2 Pronghorn laying down. I turn and take the road up to Bison Point stopping at the turn-off to get a closer look at the Pronghorn.

Funny how with the biting gnats out, there's no one camping and no trail riders.

I return to the loop and start down the west side. There I see a Jackrabbit - just getting a quick look at feet and back side as he hops away.

One last look for the resident Burrowing Owl behind the Visitor's Center but no luck today either.

Awesome day!