July 4 - Lambs Canyon

 Happy 249th birthday America!!!

In honor, I'm taking a walk up Lambs Canyon; to the top for the 1st time this year (yes, better late than never).

We had overnight rain showers so the clouds are still lingering. But the sun is there and there are blue skies to the West.

I take off around 7am; just hoping to beat the crowds I'm expecting.

I get drizzled on on the drive up. And actually, it's still sprinkling when I take off around 7:30. (There's only 1 car in the lot at this point.)

It's doesn't look like there's been much rain; though we desperately need it. But the veg is very damp and my pants are soaked by the time I make it to the 2nd switchback. But it's awesome. There's sun but also clouds. Tons of geraniums and Thimbleberries in bloom. Actually, some of the Thimbleberries on the lower part are already going to seed. 

I'm see a few Frits but none stopping to get a good idea.

So I'm photographing bumblebees (or at least trying). The Sagebrush Conservancy in Utah is in the 2nd year of a Bumblebee study so I'll help out as I can. (Actually there's a bigger study but Xerces - Bumblebee Atlas running in it's 2nd year as well.)




Quiet walk just me and birds.

Hey, someone cut a path thru the large tree that I've been climbing over - yea!!!

Oh, on one of the switchback corners there's a Grey Hairstreak wings open. So pretty. (Unfortunately, he flies before photo time.)

As I approach the meadow, I hear voices. It's couple just resting in the meadow; they have not gone to the top.

As I go higher thru the meadow, there are a few Frits zipping around.

Now I start passing thru lots of White Columbine and a few Paintbrush and Lupine. Oh, darn! The Fireweed is blooming (the end of summer is coming) 

And I find some Purplish Columbine on that last switchback

and some Heart-leafed Arnica on that last switchback.

Soon I'm at the last switchback and then the top!! Yea!

After a short break, it's time to head down. Still mostly cloudy and because of the clouds very little butterfly activity. I do see a Parnassian and W. Admiral though.

And I find a Miner's Bee towards the end of the trail.



Definitely more people heading up the trail now. When I get back to the parking, it's packed as I expected.

Good hike!

-- And it's just after 10am. If traffic is moving I can get home to see the F-35 flyover which is tentatively at 10:28am. Yes, I'm home and on my porch at 10:28 waiting. They are flying in from the north. Around 10:35 I hear them. I get up and walk to my garage and they are already coming. And they fly directly over my garage. What a view!! I'm in tears - I love it!! Happy 4th of July; let freedom ring!!!

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