Aug 3 - Mormon Trail

Sunny day with temps over 100 degrees. Heading to hike the Mormon Trail today. Just looking to a female GSF up close as the only ones I've seen have been flying.

I arrive around 8:15 and start up the trail. Like prior weeks, the trail is in the shade right now and just hoping to catch some flyers on the way back. There's also clouds in the sky which will probably have an impact.

Got to escort a biker to the trail. Met as I was going over the bridge and he was coming back. He was confused so he followed me out thru the tall grass maze to the forest. He turned around just shy of the forest as he has never been here before. But then he was on his way.

Very dry at this point. Most flowers have dried up. I do find some Geraniums, yellow flowers, Yarrow in bloom. 

I stop for a bee-like insect: Western Aphideater

a yellow spider which I scare before getting a photo and a Gold Finch male.

Surprise, I find blooming Milkweed. I've looking for it over the last 2 years and today, it's here! Very surprised that I missed it all these hikes. Happy though! Will check on the return if there's anything on it.

Heading to the pond, I find this weird green bug on a puffy.

On one geranium, I find all these black bugs/beetles.

Pond is quiet other than the dragonflies zipping around.

I decide to only go to the 2 mile marker today. It's cloudy, I'll save my legs.

As I'm nearing the marker, I start seeing some Frits. Mostly GSF but there are other Frit species.

The return trip is a bit more active mostly with CO Hairstreaks from the 2 mile mark all the way back to the start.

I also see:
- Small WoodNymph
- UnID'd Swallowtail
- UnID'd White
- W. Admiral
- Clouded Sulphur
- Common Checkered Skipper
- Euro Skipper
- Taxiles Skipper
- Western Branded Skipper
- Woodland Skipper

And the surprise of the day.... a Tailed Copper (male)!! It was just resting on the trail about 1/2 mile from the start. Beautiful!!



Second time I've seen one; both times on this trail!!

I also see another Gold Finch just before entering the woods on the return.

But as I was approaching the woods, there was something large moving thru the woods. It has to be a moose but I don't spend the time to try and check it out, I just move into the woods. As I do this, the sounds move quicker and then there's a splash. Peeked in the water when I could but did not see anything but I'm betting moose. I have seen one here in the past.

Great day!

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