It's sunny and 67 degrees when I start. (It's 10 degrees hotter down in SLC.)
Lots of birds singing this morning. I catch sight of a pair of Gold Finches (always like seeing them, they remind me of the Midwest).
Doesn't seem to be as many butterflies early on as last week though I am starting earlier.
The water levels in the creek continue to drop -- it's just a flowing creek at this point, The flowing water on the trail before the first big water crossing is gone -- just some muddy puddles (some big).
The Chokecherry trees are in fulled bloom (smells awesome) as well as other shrubs. (All good nectar sources for the butterflies.)
On the ground, still lacking in flowers but the strawberries are blooming, the Lupine have buds and I see my 1st blooming Geranium of the season!
The first water crossing is much lower. I still use the rocks and logs but in another week, I should be able to pass without much issue.
I see my Relict Frits flying. (Pretty abundant today, saw a total of 15 in my almost 3 mile one way journey - along all 3 miles.)
The Blues (Boisduvals,
Western Tailed,
Silvery and Spring Azures) are all flying or puddling. The Rocky Mountain Duskywings are still in good numbers but they have company today; the Northern Cloudywings are now flying.
I see all 3 Swallowtails today (Western, Two-tailed and Pale) though in lower numbers than last week. Ringlets (and their floppy flight) are still one of the most numerous butterflies.
Lots of yellow flowers in the meadow near the pond. More dragonflies are out today around the pond.
The mud puddles past the pond continue to be a good spot to see butterflies. Today the Blues, Duskywings are there and Northern Crescent and Satyr Commas.
and Satyr Comma.
I see a total of 24 species today including Mourning Cloak, Milberts Tortoiseshell, Orangetips, Large Marbles, Juba Skippers, numerous Painted Ladies, a Red Admiral, Pale Crescent,
and Field Crescents.
And joining the Northern Cloudywings as new flyers, the Northern Checkerspot
and Common Checkered Skipper.
I get to the big pond of water that stopped me last week.
It's lower and I can skirt around the narrow muddy edges of the pond or logs.
However, I still don't make it to the 3 mile mark due to flowing water. I'm getting there -- this is to be expected this time of year. (There are Spring Beautys blooming way out here! And lots of Yellow Violets!)
On the way back, I see this wonderful Lily.
Awesome day!
