Heading out for some butterflying on the Mormon Trail.
I head out just after 8am for the trail. Not expecting many butterflies at the start of the hike because it'll be in the 50s and I'm sure most of the early sections of trail will be in the shade. But I'll make up for it on the way back to the car. My plan is to hike about 3.5 miles of the trail so I can get to some muddy sections.
On the way, I have a bit of excitement. I'm heading down the dirt road towards the trail. I slow down to drive past a lady holding her dog on my right and a guy walking his dog on my left. I thought it was strange that she is holding her dog but I hear the guy say "well that's not good".
I drive a little farther and I see two dogs run across the road onto the hill side. Oh, I know why she is holding her dog and what's "not good". Those dogs are coyotes! It's a pair of them and they are looking south to where the lady with the dog is. I'm pretty excited about seeing them! But I can see why the lady with the little dog isn't.
It bit farther down the road, the cattle are grazing nearby this morning. I have to slow down to a crawl a couple of times to drive past a few cows in the middle of the road.
I get to the trail head. There's people camping, people with a boat (I don't know why), but I think the trail should be clear.
I start past the camp towards the bridge. Looks like the Forest Service is doing a bit of trail work as there's crushed gravel laid to the bridge and bit on the other side too. Many of the muddy ruts are gone and there are some orange directional markers on the ground. Hoping they are improving the trail so it doesn't flood any more. (Oh and the Garlic Mustard that was out last year is gone. I send email last year but got no response. They must have been out because it's gone. Yea!)
I reach the trail and start along. The first butterfly of the day is Common Ringlet!
The White Yarrow, Salsify
and False Hollyhock is now blooming - one of my favorite flowers.
There's also Cinquefoil (still), Meadowrue, and the Clovers are just starting to bloom.
Most of the trail is still in the shade as I expected. There are a few butterflies here and there.
I manage to scare a deer -- even heard it chirp. It ran behind some trees - but I can still see it.
When I reach the Camp/Pond area, the flyers start picking up. Even see a Clodius Parnassian!! (See about 6 today.)
As are the dragonflies.
I check the muddy area behind the dam. Not much happening yet as much of the area is in the shade but plenty of Weidemeyers Admirals. (They are definitely the butterfly of the day! Closely followed by Northern Checkerspots)
More and more butterflies flying after the 2 mile marker.
I'm excited to see the White Columbine blooming.
Northern Checkerspots mating
A Boisduval's Blue laying eggs on Lupine.
There's a bunch of horse scat on the trail today and the butterflies are even enjoying that! (Weidemeyer's Admirals and Painted Lady)
And I can't forget the dead weasel. (Definitely, not the way I want to see a weasel.)
I reach the 3 mile marker and I'm done. Time to turn back.
The trail is hopping with butterflies now. I even hear a biker comment on how he's enjoying all the butterflies. (Made me smile!)
In total, I see Checkered White (several of them)
Sara Orangetip (1)
Western Tiger Swallowtail (1)
Two Tailed Swallowtail (1)
Field Crescent (many)
Northern Crescent (many)
Northern Checkerspot (lots)
Boisduvals Blue
Western Tailed Blue
Greenish Blue
Common Ringlet (still many but a bit reduced from last week)
Callipe Frit
Great Basin Frit (I think)
Relict Frit (1 -- yes, still flying)
Great Spangled Frit (1)
Common Checkered Skipper (1)
Northern Cloudywing
Duskywing
Lilac Border Copper
Painted Ladies
Clodius Parnassian.
