Heading up to Lambs Canyon for a butterfly check - it's been a week.
Canyon is still greening up. The only flowers are still the Forget-me-knots though the larger Parsley is getting close. Oh and I did find a couple of Yellow Violets in bloom.
Still no puddles or wet ground even though we had rain Monday-Weds.
Those black moths with white spots have decreased in numbers but the orange ones are flying strong.
The Painted Ladies are still the far dominant species flying - and they are still flying strong.
Very earlier on, I see a new butterfly for the season, the Large Marble.
(I see a total of 4.)
The Orangetips numbers have increased (6 males and 2 females).
The 1st female I see.
Then a bit farther down the road,I saw two Orangetips flying in loops. At first, I thought they were 2 males fighting but nope just a male and female.
The snow that was in parts of the road has melted. (The road is now clear other than the snowmobiles that are stilled parked near the bottom.)
I pass the little gully with all the CA Tortoiseshells last week and today, there is no action.
It's actually very quiet (other than the numerous Painted Ladies zipping around). I hoping that once I reach the mud and water things will pick up - not so much.
Finally, I reach the trail head and check the final puddle. Pretty dull other than a handful of Spring Azures.
Oh wait, there's a Duskywing flying in the vegetation. Hard to get a good look - it's a Sleepy Duskywing - the first of the season!
He must be one of the first to emerge as he is the only on I see (and he's perfect, fringes and all). Also, they tend to congregate in these mud puddles but today, he's it.
I look up the road and the snow that was there last week has melted leaving a huge wet road. I head up for a look. I find a couple of Satyr Commas! This one is laying eggs - pretty cool!
Great trip!
