July 26 - Butterflying Route 108
Well it's the final day of this shorten vacation. I think about going back to Saddlebag Lakes to do the hike I was supposed to do yesterday. But I don't feel like walking the scree field again especially when there appears to be no butterflies flying. So it's a butterfly day! I'm driving the scenic Hwy 108 from Bridgeport to Niagara Creek. Why Niagara Creek? Because I have been told that there is a good chance I will find Hoffman's Checkerspot - a would be lifer. Not sure where to look from them at Niagara Creek but I'll just look.
Checking out Niagara Creek and Sonora Pass are my main goals but there's also potential Leavitt Meadows trail as it follows a creek.
I set out around 7am. Google says it's be 2 hours 42 minutes before I arrive at Niagara Creek. I think I need to go to the OAV campground and I'm hoping it's along a creek but I'll find out.
I run into that road construction on 395 this morning. It's actually better than it looks (at least this time of day). They are repaving the road and have the road down to 1 lane. Seems kinda drastic but perhaps they get it done faster. It cost me a max of 10 minutes. And when construction ended it was time for me to turn right on Hwy 108.
I was at Leavitt Meadows surprisingly fast. Lots of parking though I'd have to find the TH.
The drive is absolutely incredible - mountains, mountain valley, a steep curvy road climbing over 2500 feet to Sonora Pass.
I was hoping to stop at the Pass (and for a potty) but no such luck. Hoping for a campground soon. Its was longer than I hoped but up came Douglas Flat Day Use. Yea!!! And there's a nice creek that I got to visit too!
Than onward passing thru Dardanelle (which doesn't look like a city and it's back off the highway). Probably should stop here and look for butterflies but pass on by. Maybe on the return.
I stopped at the Connell Vista. Doesn't look like much when you pull in but there's a very large reservoir down there.
The views are awesome!!
I also see a lizard.
Finally I reach Niagara Creek and I make the turn. It's very forested but there are openings with flowers and roadside flowers. I could head to the campground but I believe I'm supposed to go to the OAV campground so that's where I'm heading. The road is basically just one lane but it is paved which is a plus and it's very windy. Lots of tall pine trees. With less the 1/2 mile to go, the road is blocked by big machinery doing some tree work. Shoot! I turn around and start heading back. Was this another boondoggle? Where am I supposed to go?
As I come to an intersection, I see a white butterfly drop from the Pines alongside the road. I stop to investigate. The White was gone but I look around and find some flowers with Frits nectaring.
I down the road until I come upon a spot with seemingly many Frits. I pull-off to check things out. Yes, there a Dogbane (a Frit favorite) and there are plenty of Frits.
And there's a Hedgerow Hairstreak!
And there's an Edith Copper too!
And a Western Branded Skipper!
And I also see what I think is a Hoffman's Checkerspot!! Hot dog! It's not a boondoggle - I just got lucky!
I check the other side of the road where there is more Dogbane. And more Frits and more potential Hoffman's.
I move back and forward between the two locations. At one point a Great Spangled Frit arrives on the right side of the road.
Then on the left, there is a West Coast Lady
and Mylitta Crescents.
I walk farther down the road to a patch with some small white flower on tall stems and find a Western White.
And another Edith's Copper.
Back at the Dogbane area, I spot a Lilac Bordered Copper on the left side.
And spot an Anise Swallowtail zipping thru the forest on the right.
I stop to look at my photos and that Hoffman's is not but I think it's a CA Crescent!!! It's a lifer too!!!
A lot of my time is spent trying to take a photo of that Skipper. Amazing even when you're inches from the target in macro mode how you can get blurry photos. But you can!
I finally call it and move on a little farther down the road at a large wet meadow. I stop to investigate. Here I see to white butterflies fly down from the Pines. I think they're Pine Whites. I decide to chase one but the wet meadow s a little to muddy and probably wetter the farther I go in. I'll pass. I've had a great day so far.
It's time to start heading to Reno.
On the return, I make a stop at the Douglas Day Use area again for lunch in the shade by the creek.
On the way back to my car I investigate some low growing purple flowers and some tall white flowers. Hot dog - more Hairstreaks! Sylvan Hairstreak
and Hedgerow Hairstreak
Once again the Pass came and went. I was just moving along and notice cars pulled off the road and then I was over the other side. I thought about turning around but it looked pretty crowded up there. I'm happy with my day. (I'll probably regret it later but ...)
Continuing on, I pull off because I got behind some slow people. Great stop as I find a little waterfall.
I also stop at the Leavitt Creek Vista Point - lovely!
That's a wrap!
Awesome day
The day's finds:
Hedgerow Hairsteak
Sylvan Hairstreak
Edith Copper
Lilac Bordered Copper
CA Crescent
Mylitta Crescent
Great Basin Frit
Great Spangled Frit
Other Frits (most likely)
West Coast Lady
Western White
Pine White
Anise Swallowtail
Western Branded Skipper
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