Sept 19 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Sunny day with temps near 70s. (We've had our 1st mountain snow dusting the other day!!) Perfect to take off after work for a quick hike up to Willow Lake. It's also a leaf color check.

Heading up BCC, yes, the colors are changing on the trees but there's a long way to go.

I reach the Willow Lake TH and there's only a few cars here.

As I start up the trail, the aspens have not yet started to turn but they're ready. The ground veg is bloomed out and drying up. There are a few asters, yellow composites around here and there but it's getting pretty bare.

Very quiet walk up the mountain - no birds singing this afternoon.

There are plenty of grasshoppers hopping around though.

Hoping for a few butterflies but without slim flowers probably unlikely.

I reach the meadow and yes, the trees behind the lake have a tinge of yellow!

I start making my way around the lake. I see a few dragonflies and one duck.

I head back into the aspens; just a quiet walk.

I complete the circle and am ready to start down. Hey! There's goes a butterflies; it's an anglewing! And then there's another; this one is a Comma species. I got butterflies!!

Time to start down.

Hey, there's a Geranium - only one of the day!

Rounding one of the final corners, I get scared when a snake slithers across the trail not far from feet. Looks like a garter snake. Very cool!

Then it's down to my car!

Good day!

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