August 17 - Mormon Trail

 Sunny, turning cloudy and then rain showers.

Heading to hike the Mormon Trail today. Hey, it's Saturday, I want to go somewhere so why not.

I get a very early start this morning; I was at the TH by 7:30. Not expecting butterflies because there's just too much shade but perhaps I'm might get lucky.

Things continue to dry and fade.

It's quiet; too early even for the birds. But there are a few chipmunks moving around. 

When I reach the meadow, I'm in the sun. Briefly because the clouds are starting to form. 

The dragonflies are active at the pond but I'm seeing no butterfly movement; not surprising.

I continue on to the 2 mile marker before turning around. There are even more clouds now with only peaks of sunlight.

I'm just past the dam and I see something flying. It's a Field Crescent!! Surprise!!

Then just past the pond (still in the sagebrush), I see another flyer. It's a CO Hairstreak!! 

Coming out of the meadow, I see the final butterfly of the day; a Great Spangled Frit.

(Done way better than I thought! But I'm in the clouds now.)

Should note the birds are now moving around: Robins, Chickadees and that hawk again but in the air screeching!

I'm just moving down the path when I hear something BIG moving uphill thru the aspens. I hear footsteps, branches moving/branching and I stop dead in my tracks. I must have startled a moose because he's moving! 

When the noises stop, I start to move very slowly forward, looking thru the aspens hoping to catch a glimpse of the critter but I see nothing. That was either a moose (or maybe Bigfoot :)) Good excitement!

Nothing much happening until I see a Black-chinned hummingbird nectaring on the thistles on the last section of trail before entering the woods. He stops at many flowers and on the barb-wired fence. Pretty cool!




Well, I wasn't expecting much and came out with 3 butterflies, a hawk, a moose and a hummingbird. Can't beat that!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 23 - Silver Lake (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with highs near 90s. No hikes today; just a simple walk around Silver Lake due to having stitches in my knee. They say I can hike but wanted to do an easy test run first. Left around 6:30. Saw a lone deer on the side of the road on the way up. Arrived at the parking lot and it was around 58 degrees and still in the shade. Not many cars or people around today. Started my trip around the lake counter-clockwise. No moose to be seen as of yet. Not really much happening. Stop to watch 3 ducks next to the footbridge. Stop at the pier for a look-see. Stopped at the dock on the other side (perhaps for the 1st time since they rebuilt it). And crossed the wetland with yellow monkeyflowers in bloom. But the trail is then closed. Unfortunately they've still not finished this 2 or maybe 3 year project. I do spot a shorebird. I was excited but it flew as quickly as it landed in front of me. Beavers unfortunately absent. They've been very visible the last 2 years but they were rebu...
Read more

May 11 - Lambs Canyon

Image
 Partly sunny with temps around 60 degrees as I start up Lambs Canyon. Hoping for  good butterfly day after the foot+ of snow over the week-end; lots of wet spots for puddling. The start of the walk was sunny but as I got higher (and to the muddy spots), I fell under a cloud (boo). I did see Painted Lady, Rocky Duskywing, Mourning Cloak, Anise Swallowtail, Satyr Comma, and Spring Azure and a White that was not an Orangetip; perhaps a Large Marble. Also a moth I did see a blooming Arrowleaf Balsamroot  in addition to the Forget-me-knots and Virginia Waterleaf And 2 squirrels. I was going to loiter at the trail head but there were two locals there working on a truck and I didn't want to look like I was waiting to pillage their cars so I started down and back into the sun. Still a good day.
Read more

June 14 - Lambs Canyon

Image
Another sunny day with temps in the mid-90s. Heading to Lambs Canyon to hike to the top today for this 1st time this year. Near 70s when I leave Salt Lake. There's a lot of clouds around so that will keep things cooler at least at the beginning. I arrive and surprised to find 2 cars already in the lot. I gear up and start up the trail. Arnica, Solomon's Seal, Bluebells, Strawberries, Violets, Mitrewort and Geraniums in bloom. The Thimbleberry are budding and there are some in bloom. It's a beautiful morning! Upper switchbacks have Larkspur in bloom. Along the way in the shade I find a Western Tailed Blue waiting for the morning sun. Surprise find: Baneberry in bloom!! The entry into the meadow is far less muddy than last time. I continue pass and cross to the other side of the canyon.  Soon I cross again finding Spring Beauties in bloom. I get a little ways but feel like a bathroom stop is needed. Do I believe or not? I decide to head down and it was the correct decision ma...
Read more