2024 Utah Adventure

 After a couple of days of rain, I've got to get out to salvage the week-end. It's only in the mid-40s when I wake and cloudy, so I decide to head up to Antelope Island to search for baby bison. (Definitely no hiking as the biting gnats are out.) On the drive up, I see 2 male pheasant along the highway. I reach the causeway about 7:15. Lots of the water around  and shorebirds.  I see Glossy Ibis Avocets and Black-necked Stilts and many others. As I approach the Island, I do not see any bison behind the Visitor's Center. I reach the Island and turn south towards the Ranch. 1st stop is just downhill from the pull-off to check for Burrowing Owls and success! There are two of them. One is perched  and the other is on the ground several feet away. So exciting! I inch up and find another (yes, that's 3) owl. I decide to continue and see yet another 4th owl. Quite a happy community this year - I don't think I've ever seen so many before the babies come! I continue on h...

 Sunny day with mid 70 temperatures; must take hike after work. I'm not ready for the Desolation Trail yet so it's Lambs Canyon again. I arrive just after 3pm. Find some OregonGrape in bloom. The Biscuitroot are plentiful and getting bigger. In fact, I actually see one that's about ready to bloom!! The road continues to melt quickly. I walked the entire road on pavement (granted some of it was on edges) except one small snow crossing. Number of butterflies is less than Sunday but I manage to see Mourning Cloak and Hoary Comma.  I was shocked by the Spring Azure on Sunday (I didn't see one today). I'm stunned by an Anise Swallowtail today!! So exciting! I also find a moose track in a snow spot on the road. Awesome day!

Sunny, mid 60s and I'm off for another walk today; this time up Lambs Canyon Road. Normal butterfly monitor. Seeing CA Tortoiseshells at the start.  And other then them, it's pretty dead. The road is even better today. I would say majority of the road is now melted out or at least passable without walking on snow. There are still numerous snow patches especially the farther along the road one gets. The Mourning Cloaks like the snow. I am seeing more signs of plant life including Biscuitroot. And others that have buds. The moths are still flying. And I see what looks like a spider w/ wings resting on a rock. Ah, he's resting on some leaves. Pretty cool though! But definitely glad he doesn't fly!! Stream is definitely flowing a little faster than a few days ago. As I getting closer to the trail head, I'm seeing Mourning Cloaks  and Hoary Commas Green Commas And new this week, the Satyr Comma I'm scanning the water flowing next to the road hoping to find some resti...

It's sunny with highs in the 70s. Since Antelope Island is no longer an option; it's but bitey bug season - my curiosity has got the best of me and I'm heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon. I considered a hike up to the meadow on the Mill D South/Cardiff Mine trail but with 600 inches of snow this winter, I just want to look. Got an early start (around 7am) to beat the ski traffic; yes, the resorts are still open with the 600 inches of white stuff. Lots of greening happening as I head up the canyon. Of course, the lower portions are melted out as are the south facing slopes. Big Cottonwood Creek is running but no where like it will be in a few weeks. The higher up I get, the more snow of course. I pull up to Mill D and my initial plan was not to walk the road; just look but I just couldn't resist. Oh, it's 29 degrees with the snow still coming up. There were 3 skiers ahead of me but I'm just taking my time and enjoying the sights from the road  including the plow dr...

Sunny day with temps around 55 degrees. Heading up after work to Lambs Canyon - thought about the Little Cottonwood trail but decided no. Arrive before 3:30. Sunny and cooler than 55 degrees. Boy! The road has really melted since Saturday; despite some chilly temps the last couple days. I say the road was around 80% snow covered on Sat but on around 50%. Hoping to see some butterflies but it's chilly and below freezing at night. I do see 2 Mourning Cloaks - brave little flyers. And squirrel. The spring plants bursting out of the ground now; I can't wait until bloom. And I have to apologize on my rant about the doggie doo-doo bag on the other side of the bridge. With the snow melt, that orange bag is an orange warning cone - actually 2 of them. I didn't go across the bridge. It's melting out and looks a little dicey. I'll give it another week. Good hike.

 Sunny day with highs in the upper 60/low 70s. Heading to Antelope Island today to cap off a 3 day hiking streak. First one in a very long time. I leave around 7am today. I'm thinking of hiking Sentry Peak. I figure this will be the last Antelope Island hike until Fall due to the bitey bugs. Hoping I wrong but after 2 near 80 degrees day, the bugs are not far behind. I reach the causeway and it's windy; bringing in Monday's storm.  The bird populations are continuing to rise. On the Island, I head south towards the Ranch. No bison behind the Visitors Center. I check on the Burrowing Owls and I do not see any. I reach the Beacon Hill area expecting to see a large herd of bison and surprise, they're gone! Wow! I continue on almost hitting a flying male pheasant heading east.  A bit farther (still in front of Frary Peak) and surprise as I find 2 doe (deer) grazing in the grasses. The one looks smaller and might be last year's fawn. (Mom) (Possible fawn) It's a usua...

Sunny day and near record temps are forecast for today (we set records yesterday with temps near 80 degrees).  Time to get up the canyon and check for some overwintering flyers. Arrive at the parking at the gate. I was confused that the gate was open but there were canyons residents hauling out one of their snow vehicles. The road clear and the start and I'm seeing butterflies!! Mourning Cloaks,  CA Tortoiseshells  and Hoary Commas  and Green Commas.  Very cool! As I head up, the road becomes a mix of pavement and snow. Still seeing the same butterflies. Then after a 1/4-1/2 mile, the road becomes snow covered. Only seeing a few Mourning Cloaks now. Water along the road is moving - the snowmelt has started. Looking at the west side, there's still 3'sh feet of snow alongside the river. As I near the trail head, there is melt out on the side of the road and the usual roadside stream. And here the butterfly activity picks up with Mourning Cloaks and Commas. Hard to...