Aug 19 - Otter Creek & Koosharem Canyon

Heading out in search of the Nokomis Fritillary today. It's been on my list to see since I moved to Utah but until last week, I've never ventured out to try and find it. It flies in a place called Otter Creek which is a few miles north of Koosharem UT. (There are other places, but this seems to be the most accessible.)

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.)

(Definitely not the 50 they saw over a week ago but maybe 4. One would have been good enough for me!)

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!

Happiness!!

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!

Aug 17 - Lake Solitude - Twin Lakes Loop

Heading out after work to hike to the Lake Solitude / Twin Lakes Loop. Sunny day and we're back near 90s (after 2 wonderfully cool (low/mid 80s) days).

When I arrive, there are some storms trying to get brewing but thankfully, they are to the east; but it's still partly cloudy.

As I head around Silver Lake, the meadow is tall and turn yellow - Fall is on it's way in the mountains.

Lots of dragonflies zipping around the lake.

I head up to Lake Solitude thru the now fading flowers. Mostly Asters now but there are some good spots with Paintbrush, Lupine, and Horsemint (and other flowers too).

The Thimbleberries are almost ready too!

I'm see a few Frits and Paintbrush flying.

When I arrive at the rock slide, there's a Marmot sitting on the rocks (only my 2nd sighting of the year).

I reach Silver Lake.

There's a male Mallard on the lake.

I make my way down the side of the lake to the road (aka trail). Before I reach it, I see a few Ruddy Coppers - males and females.

And a Frits.

(Pretty productive spot!!)

As I make my way up and up above Lake Solitude.

I see a few more Ruddy Coppers and Frits.

Half way up, I see a Stellar Jay.

Still climbing.  hey, they've put a picnic table along the trail! (Have to work hard to use that table.)

I reach the ridge over Twin Lakes

And then head to my perch for dinner.

Then it's time to head down. As I come down, I see a brown flyer in among the Asters. I have to stop to see what it is --- it's a moth.

I see Painted Ladies and Blue Coppers

And guess what, more Frits on the way down.

Lots of flowers still blooming in certain areas (other areas are fading).

And a chubby cheeked chipmunk - definitely getting ready for winter.

I reach the dam -- lake is still full and there's still no beach. But the water is no longer flowing thru the overflow chutes. And the baby fish are still near the overflow. Tons of them -- I think the number is increasing. What will they do as the lake continues to drop?!

I head down thru the flowers and soon I'm standing over Silver Lake.

Checking for Marmots and Pika on the rocks. I hear and spot 2 Pika.

But still no Marmots. There were quite a few out here last year -- maybe after a normal 600 inches of snow after two poor years knocked their numbers down a lot. :(

On the way back to Silver Lake, I see chipmunks, squirrels and a Snowshoe Hare!

And when I'm almost at the lake, there's a female deer crossing the trail. She gives me a good look while standing in the middle of the trail before crossing into the forest. I continue a step when a fawn (still will spots) starts to cross.

She sees me and quickly bounces across followed closely by fawn #2. Fun!

Great day!

Aug 11 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Well today I'm heading over to the Mormon Pioneer Trail to search for female Great Spangled Frittillaries. The males have been flying for a few weeks now so the females should be in full force by now. (Last week when I was here, I did see a few females but they were not very photogenic.) Just note: I'm interested in the females because they look very different than the males but are just as gorgeous!

Had some rain showers early this morning and a stretch of rain clouds still exists heading east. I leave around 8:30 because to the west, south and north it's clear so no more rain is on the way; at least for this morning/early afternoon.

I drive up Parley's Canyon toward Park City in the clouds and a few sprinkles (and some lightening in the distance) but after exiting at Jeremy's Ranch, there's nothing but blue sky - except the sun is still in the storm clouds.

I arrive at in the parking lot and it's still cloudy but 72 degrees. Not expecting many butterflies due to the lack of sun, but the sun will be out and so will the butterflies.

I start up the trail - many of the flowers and the vegetation is drying up. But there are still some yarrow, asters,

goldenrod

and many yellow composites still flowering.

I'm not that far on the trail when I'm surprised by a male Great Spangled Frit basking on the trail - just waiting for the sun.

And a few steps later, I can see my shadow - yea!

Many critters moving around in the brush today -- birds, squirrels, snakes (yes one crosses the trail in front of me). I even see a squirrel peeking out of a hollow tree chirping at me.

Lots of Woodland Skippers flying - tons of them!!

I also see a few Small Wood Nymphs too!

And the Frits - many, many flying! Mostly male Great Spangled Frits!

And I believe the others are Northwestern Frits.

All the Frits really like the Thistles that are blooming now.

A find some Milkweed (the flowers are slowing fading) and check for Monarch caterpillars but find nothing.

I'm seeing female Great Spangled Frit -- scaring 6 of them up as I walk by. The 7th finally lands in the creek bed. But flies when I move for a better view. (Maybe I'll have better luck in the Camp's meadow.).

Along the way to the meadow, I also see a Coral Hairstreak

Two tailed and Western Swallowtails, Weidenmeyer's Admirals, a Mylitta Crescent,

a Field Crescent, a Painted Lady,

Mustard Whites, and a few Clouded Sulphers. Not bad for the end of the season!

I finally reach the meadow and an area with Thistles -- there are so many Frits here!!

And 2 females Great Spangled Frit - they are so awesome!!

I then make my way to the pond -- where I find another female!

I reached my goal of the day but I continue down the trail picking up Common Checkered Skippers.

I have to mention the grasshoppers -- the big ones -- particularly this orange one.

When it flies, it is black, white, and orange! Wonderful!

After a little over 2 miles, I decide to turn back -- it's the end of the season, just not many bflys flying - except for the Frits and Woodland Skippers!

On the way back, I see a Lilac Bordered Copper and, at the pond,

Ruddy Copper.

As I exit the meadow, I find a Satyr Comma. The first one in quite some time.

I reach the end of the trail and am surprised my a Melissa Blue

and another Ruddy Copper.

Awesome day!