Since the mountains are still snowy, I'm heading back to Lambs Canyon. The road was supposed to open on June 1 but the Forest Service decided to keep it closed. My guess is that the road in the upper part of the canyon still has snow on it; the road to the trail head has been free of snow for weeks. Oh well, I get to look for butterflies along the road still. And hopefully with the sun and temps at the road at 64 degrees, there will be some activity along the road.
On my way up, the Forget-me-knots are still blooming, the Bisquitroot is fading, the Longleaf Balsamroot is increasing and the Heartleafed Arnica are now in bloom.
Seeing many Blues flying around. The ones I look at are all Spring Azures. But the Western Tailed Blues and Silvery Blues should be flying soon.
I also see a couple of Orangetips (males) and 2 Anise Swallowtails
and a Hoary Comma.
I reach the trail head and the water/mud near the parking has just a couple of Spring Azures around.
Time to start up the trail and see how far I get today.
On the way, there's a few more Fairy Bells blooming
and the Virgin's Bower's is now blooming.
Ever other green plant is just getting bigger.
On the way up, I continue to see many Spring Azures including a group party
a few Orangetips a couple of Mourning Cloaks and a few Hoary Commas.
The snow has significantly decreased over the last week but still plenty of it.
At one point, I'm following moose tracks up the trail.
I make it farther than last week reaching around 7900 feet (only 200 ft in elevation from the top) before I'm am stopped by a huge dead fall.
I don't see way around it so it's time to turn around.
At that turnaround point, some young plants are just emerging. They are yellow in color - thought they were flowers at first.
On the way down the trail, I see a couple more Commas, Orangetips and Spring Azures.
Back down at the road, the mud/water near the parking is full of fluttering Blues. Wonderful to see. Still look like all Spring Azures.
I also see a Rocky M Duskywing.
Just a little feet farther down, Painted Lady, Western Tailed Blues (first ones of the year),
and Two banded Skipper (yea! First of the year!)
Continuing down I spot a Western Tanager (non-breeding male) - cool bird.
The clouds are now rolling in however, I still see several Rocky Mt Duskywings along the road
and a beautiful Large Marble.
At one of the first gravel pull-outs, there are lots of Blues puddling there - mostly Western Tailed Blues and a Silvery Blue (first of the year).
It's sprinkling but the time I reach my car.
Awesome day!
