July 4 - Mormon Trail

Happy 4th!

Sunny day with temps in the mid-80s.

Heading up to hike the Mormon Trail today. Hoping for more butterflies so I leave at 7:30 for a later start in hopes to catch the bflies on the way back (for the most part).

It's only in the low 50s when I arrive and only one truck camper in the lot.

I gear up and start along the trail.

Not expecting any butterflies as it's very cool and very shady in most spots. Which makes seeing a Small Wood Nymph in the opening section (it's sagebrush and sunny) super surprising and awesome!

The rest of the trail is just a nice walk. Lots of birds singing and chipmunks moving around.

Finally start getting some action when I reach the meadow with a couple of European Skippers.

And then it's quiet again.

I finally get a good shot of that yellow-ish bird I've been seeing the last few weeks. I thought it was a Yellow Warbler. Turns out to be a female Western Tanager!!

The male is incredible looking so I need to keep my eyes open.

I slowly start seeing butterflies adding a Purplish Copper, Weidemeyer's Admiral. But it's super slow.

But it does start picking up a little after the 2 mile mark. White Columbine are blooming like crazy. I also find Blue Flax.

My plan was to turn around at the 3 mile mark but when I get there, a lady with at least 8 dogs is rangling them up so I can pass. So I go about 1/4 mile farther than I wanted. Still very dead other than W. Admirals and a few N. Checkerpots. Even the muddy areas are empty. But it's time for the return trip; fingers crossed.

Much better on the return.

Total of 23 species (so much better than last week). 

Surprises:

- Grey Hairstreak (1)

- Russets Skipperling (1)

- Small Wood Nymph (1)

- European Skipper

Other seen:

- Cabbage White (3)

- Yellow Sulphur (2)

- Great Spangled Frits (still all males)

- Relict Frit (1)

- Mormon Frit (1) - 1st non-GSF/Relict of the year

- Painted Lady (1)

- Milberts Tortoiseshell (1 - fresh!)

- W. Swallowtail (1)

- W. Admiral

- Bouisvals Blue (male and female)

- Western Tailed Blue

- N. Checkerspot

- Mylitta Crescent (1)

- N. Cloudywing

- Rocky Mt Duskywing

- Dreamy Duskywing

- Lilac Bordered Copper

- Purplish Copper

- Common Checkered Skipper

Great day!


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