Last week, I asked the local Lep folks if it was flying yet (they fly in Aug and early Sept). They said yes (only males) and then provided me with GoogleEarth photos and GPS coordinates for not only the Nokomis but also some other flyers. Note: like the Western Great Spangled Frit, the males and females are very different in appearance -- actually the Great Spangled and Nokomis Frit look somewhat alike. I'm hoping to see both but would settle for just the male.
Last Saturday, I headed down to try and find them but realized when I was about 30 minutes from the location that I forg0t the images and the GPS info. Big Oops! :(
But I traveled over 2 hours already so I continued hoping I might find something but had I no luck - basically because I just didn't know where to start. I did see a few flyers especially the Queen Alexandra's Sulphur - very exciting because I haven't see one in years.
Well this morning, armed with those images and GPS coordinates, I'm heading back - keeping my fingers crossed.
I arrive at Otter Creek just after 10am. (Elevation is around 6900 ft.) It's sunny and for the most part clear. I cruise past the location trying to locate where in this wetland (with cows nearby) I'm supposed to walk in (and park). Once I've figured that out, I park up the road and walk back to the location.
As I head off the road thru the meadow, cows are moo'ng nearby. After a few steps, I manage to startle a few ducks (that I didn't see) that are swimming in the creek. They take off with a loud noise, I jump, and the cows take off running!
Only one duck remains -- he's either brave or not so smart.
But, at least I don't have to worry about the cows watching me.
I'm in the meadow where I could find the Common Wood Nymph. Saw plenty when I lived in the Midwest but this one is a Utah subspecies. And possibly a Bronze Copper - this would be a lifer for me if I find one but I was told that their flight might be done already.
The meadow is weird to walk in (this a wetland that is somewhat dry now) - very bumpy and uneven. Lots of dragonflies and grasshoppers moving around.
I find this wonder blue flower in the meadow.
As I'm walking around, I see a Nokomis (male) fly by! Yea! And then a female - double yea! But they're flying so I keep walking.
I'm finding quite a few Common Checkered Skippers flying and then I see a large brown flyer - it's the Common Wood Nymph!!!
I continue looking especially around the blooming thistles (although most of them are bloomed out by now). Then I find a Copper flying. Really excited that they're still flying!! I only get views of the top side and after getting home, this appears to be a Purplish Copper (they fly in wetlands as well).
(I'll just have to return next year but a few weeks earlier.)
I've ran out of new territory here so I head back to the road. The Nokomis is also suppose to fly on the other side of the road so I head over. It's a lot more wet here so I only walk for a bit with no sightings. So I decide to try the meadow still on this side of the road but on the other side of the creek. Back to the road and then to the meadow on the other side of the creek. Well, there are Nokomis on this side because I scare one up as I enter the meadow. He just flies and flies. :(
I wander around (more wet here) but the two Frits I see just keep flying. Time to look in the last stop.
I cross the road again and head a bit south before entering the meadow again. I head towards the edges where the sagebrush is for easier walking and then I find the "honey-hole". Several Nokomis flying and nectaring on the Thistles -- so exciting!! They are both males (Lifer #1.)
After watching for a bit, I continue to move along the edge hoping to see a female. And there she is! Awesome!
This one doesn't stay long so I continue down towards the fence where I find yet another female!
Well, awesome day so far but it's time to head 5 miles south to Koosharem Canyon to look for more butterflies.
On the way back to my car, there a doe above the road. She sees me and runs across the road, hops a fence and is gone!
Koosharem Canyon is 9 miles of dirt road heading up hill. I have a few GPS coordinates for a few flyers and a GoogleMap Image with flags of where to find some of the target species like Mead's Wood Nymphs, Canyonland Satyrs, Pine Whites, Behr Hairstreaks.
But before I continue too far, I stop for some Sulphurs on the Rocky Mt Bee Plant. They're Queen Alexandra's Sulphurs!!
There's also a hummingbird at the Bee Plant sharing it with the Sulphur.
Continuing on, I pass the Mead's Wood Nymph area and head up to the Canyonland Satyr spot because there are storm clouds building.
I find the spot
and before I even start a tiny foot path heading uphill, I stop - it's a Great Basin Wood Nymph! (Unexpected Lifer #2)
Soon I see the Canyonland Satyrs!! (Lifer #3)
There are several flying around and I have only walked 30 ft along the foot path! Never thought butterflying could be so easy!
I continue up the road to the Behr's Hairstreak area. I stop and walk around along the road -- no butterflies.
I've had such a successful day so far, I decide to just turn around and head back to the Mead's area
On the way down, I'm looking for White butterflies flying as they could be the Pine White but nothing.
I do stop at some large yellow flowering plants as I see a large brown butterfly. I get out and try to track it down which I do - another Great Basin Wood Nymph!
I also spot a small Western Branded Skipper.
I continue down to the Mead's spot. There I stop and start walking around looking at the yellow composite flowers. Just finding a few more Western Branded Skippers.
I'm about ready to turn around when I see a brown flyer low to the ground -- it's a Mead's Wood Nymph! (Lifer #4!!)
It flies but I catch up to it again and manage to get close with the macro!!
Can't believe I've seen everything I hoped to see today. Incredible day! So glad I came back!
I make one final stop at the Koosharem Reservoir to grab my sandwich from my cooler. There I find a Painted Lady and a Hummingbird Moth.
Perfect ending to an incredible successful day!
