May 16 - Carlon Falls

It's still early and I've been to the trailhead twice already. Today is the day to hike. I find a spot on the near side of the bridge - yea! It's sunny and 82 degrees AND I've already walked more than 5 miles but surprising the Yosemite deadlegs is gone; that's good because this is a 4 mile round-trip trail.

I check the muddy spots and find Spring Azure 

and Propertius Duskywing. Lots of them. (This is a lifer for me!)

There's also a CA Tortoiseshell and Milbert's Tortoiseshell.

I also see a Pale Swallowtail flying around.

Great start and I haven't even started walking the trail.

They bill the trail as flat with only 200 feet of elevation change most of it as one near the falls. But the trail has some tiny ups-n-downs. It does follow the river as one would expect. It's through a woodland with some redwoods included and this woodland has, at one time, burned.

There are flowers. They start with Strawberry's in bloom.  There a yellow flower that looks like a Violet.

There are small plants with tiny flowers, bleeding heart (in bloom) 

Mariposa Lily

and many others dependent on where on the trail.

Great forest health plant - Snowplant

One section near the trailhead with horsetail.

I see Azures, Whites, Orange Sulphurs, Propertius Duskywings flying. At one puddle I'm super excited by a Northern Checkerspot.

I see a few more towards the falls.

I also see Mourning Cloaks.

I know I'm nearing the Falls when there are 2 steep climbs -- not so excited about going down those.

I'm also playing leapfrog with a couple.

I can finally see the Falls - yea! I looks like the trail goes over the Falls but there's a nice trail that goes down to the Falls and that's where I go. And where I take a break.

The guy (of the couple) comes down a few minutes later to fish.

Time to head back and oddly he decides to head back as well. Perhaps he's keeping an eye on me OR its  because his partner did not catch up and he's heading out to find her. 

There's a good butterfly spot that I stop at and see a Ringlet, worn Mylitta Crescent and the NOrthern Checkerspots and Silver Spotted Skipper

It's hot and I'm dripping. Time to keep moving. Thankfully those 2 hills weren't bad going down.

Find more of that plant.

Tons of ladybugs over a section of the trail.

Small (perhaps baby) black snake with a white neck collar and a red belly. It was one the trail and moving away from me. I wasn't getting close and waited to skirt by once he was basically off the trail.

Saw a dark small butterfly on the trail. I should have learned by now to just take a shot (no zoom) by now.

If I would've I would have a photo of this guy but he flew before I could zoom him. Ugh!

Back at the trailhead I catch the mud. Hey, a Pale Swallowtail is puddling still with the Azures and Propertius Duskywing.

I also see a Silver spotted Skipper. AGAIN, if I wouldn't zoom first, I would have gotten a photo but he 

wasn't one for sitting still. I finally gave up.

What an awesome trail! It's what I've been looking for since Port Reyes!!

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