May 31 - Mormon Trail

 Sunny day with temps near 90 degrees (record setting temps)

Heading to walk the Mormon Trail; just the 1st two miles like last week.

Lots of birds singing today but can't get a good look at any of them.

At the actual trail, I'm not really expecting much on the way out but quickly see a Ringlet flying.

There are new flowers to look at starting with Pussytoes, Death Kamas, 

Wild Onion, 

Large flowered Triteleria 

and Green Gentian.

The next butterfly I see is a Western Tailed Blue and a nectaring Western Swallowtail.

When I enter the meadow, I get a good look at a Two-tailed Swallowtail.

At the pond crossing thru the muck, I spot a Northern Cloudywing for the 1st time this year!!!

Then it's a bunch of Rocky Mt Duskywing and a few Relict Frits (much less of these this week).

Another 1st of the season is the Bouisduval's Blue.

I reach the 2 mile marker and head back spotting a Northern Crescent (another 1st of the season flyer)!

I stop behind the dam to check the mud and there really isn't much mud because the water is still high.

As I enter the meadow again (by the pond), I spot 2 white flyers. I'm sure these are Large Marbles so when one lands, I head uphill for a look but of course, they fly. Shoot! (I thought I missed these guys already - happiness!)

But I see a Pale Swallowtail (another 1st timer)!

As see more of them as I reach the water on the other side but one lands. I head across what used to be water filled a week hoping I don't sink. It's a little mushy but I make it to the butterfly and it's a Large Marble!!!

On my way out I see an Anise Swallowtail fly by. That's 4 Swallowtails for the day!

Continuing on, I get another surprise with my 1st W. Admiral sighting of the year!!

Awesome day!

- Western, Two-tailed, Pale *, and Anise Swallowtails

- Ringlet

- Large Marble *

- Orangetip

- Relict Frit

- Rocky Mt Duskywing

- Northern Cloudywing *

- WTB

- Boisduvals Blue *

- Yellow Sulphur

- N. Crescent *

- W. Admiral *

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