May 26 - Mormon Trail

 It's Memorial Day a time to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.

And of course, it's a day off of work so I'm heading out to the Mormon Trail for a 2 miler.

Sunny day with temps in the mid-80s.

On the drive to the TH, I stop for a deer crossing the road. Exciting!!

I'm parked around 8:30. It's sunny and still in the low 50s so I'm not expecting much flying on the way out.

I'm surprised there is only one car in the lot; a couple that was camping but happy as I seem to have the trail all to myself.

I start up the trail to lots of birds. And when I get to the actual trail, I see a N. Flicker up in a tree (with a Robin).

The creek next to the trail is all dried up now and at the crossing there is no water except a few low puddles. The snowmelt is over here!

Along the trail, still not much in bloom except Bluebells, Balsamroot, Groundsel, and Dandelions.

I do a couple of WTB on the way to the meadow but very quiet.

Oh, there's a little yellow bird in the trees - Yellow Warble (female)

At the meadow, there's a Elk (probably) carcass in the wet area. I don't remember seeing that 2 weeks ago but perhaps it was underwater at that time.

I do see some dragonflies as I near the pond. But still no bflies - lots of Larkspur though

I head towards the dam, which still has water flowing thru and continue towards the 2 mile marker.

Surprise! I see my friend the Relict Frit!!!

(I see at least 5 today!)

The farther I go the more purple/yellow violets I see - hopefully indicating a great Frit year.

I reach the 2 mile mark a little disappointed in the butterflies number or lack thereof but there's always the return trip.

Run into several groups of people on the way - a Mormon Memorial Day tradition perhaps.

And I see a few more butterflies including:

RM Duskywing

WTB

Juba Skipper

Relict Frits

Common Checkered Skipper

Ringlet

Two-tailed Swallowtail

Orangetip

Unknown White butterfly.

The score of the day, besides the Relict of course, a fresh Brown Elfin!! Don't see these often and this one was very cooperative!!

And the last butterfly I see is a Ringlet.


Wondering where all the butterflies are BUT I have to remember that I usually start walking the trail after the 1st of June so what I'm seeing may just be normal.

BUT awesome day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

April 4 - White Rock Loop (Antelope Island)

Image
Mostly sunny day with highs in the upper 40s and it's time for a hike in the sun!! One of the few Friday in months with sun. (And it's ok because we've finally crossed the 500inches of snow this year; making it 3 straight years above average in snowfall - woot! woot!) I leave around 7:30 and arrive at the gate around 8 to at least 9 cars lined up - what is going on!! I get to the gate and the lady says there is a running race today. Ok, where do I avoid. "East side" Ok, heading straight to White Rock. There are bison around the VC this morning and scattered on the west side. I've only the 2nd car in the lot. The weather is in the low 40s; good enough for no jacket but that wind is blowing strong from the NE. I need a jacket; unzipped and blowing in the wind but needed. I start up the trail and quickly hear Curlew. And I do find 2 of them; the only ones of the day. When I get to the top of the hill, I spot 2 Chukkars. I continue east along the loop spotting lot...
Read more

Silver Lake/Lake Solitude/Twin Lakes Loop (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with temps in the mid-90s. Heading up to hike the loop today and then hopefully up to the Pass. I'm thinking the trails will be again crowded since it's still the 4th holiday week-end but heading up early. I arrive around 7am and after I park, I see a Porcupine walking across the parking lot across the street. Not a bad start. (And there are not many cars in the lot which is a happy surprise.) I gear up and make my way to the TH. No moose, deer or beavers this morning but the Iris are in-bloom now. I start heading up to Lake Solitude and yes, the flowers are starting to bloom. (And good thing because the Brighton/Solitude Wildflower walks are next week-end.) Lots of yellow bloomers, Bluebells, Columbine, etc. Quiet walk though. I do see a Pika at the first little rocky spot. She's gathering veg for the winter already. Farther along, I do see a need (mostly butt and a quick flash of a doe head) before the big avalanche. I can see her ribs so she needs to eat. Mayb...
Read more

June 27 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

Image
 It's an off Friday and I'm heading up to Twin Lake Pass (hopefully). It's a sunny day with temps in the low 90s. Rocky start as I realize I forgot my phone about 1/2 way down my block but I can live without that. Then as I turn up BCC, I realize I forget sunscreen. Big Oops! I'll be short hike today. :( I arrive around 7:30. Parking lot is pretty empty; I'm surprised. I head around the lake to the TH. No moose, deer or beaver. The plant life is getting taller and about ready to bloom. I'm seeing a few Geraniums, Thimbleberry, Bluebells, Paintbrush, Beardtongue, etc. Quiet walk - no pika, deer or moose. Although I find fresh deer tracks on the trail. I reach Lake Solitude; it too is quiet w/ no deer or ducks. Decision time: do I continue to do the hike; another 2 hrs in the sun or be smart. Of course, I choose the "smart option" and head back. Of the way back, I hear something moving thru the forest and stop to look. Lucky me! I see a Doe. She looking ...
Read more