July 21 - Mormon Trail

 Mostly sunny day with highs near 100 and I'm heading to the Mormon Trail for the 1st time this year!! Woot, Woot!

Technically I probably shouldn't go because of that little very steep hill at the start but I'm 5 days from my appt and my foot feels great, I think I'm ready!

Not sure what to expect; it is the end of the season but I'll find out.

After working 2.5 hr to finish my work-week, I'm off to the trailhead. 

I arrive around 8:30 I think, I didn't check. I gear up and start my hike. 

I see a Gold Finch male all bright and yellow right of the start.

I cross the bridge and the trail is a jungle as expected. I try for the real trail because the ground (at least at this point) is dry. But there are so many paths and the grasses are tall and wet, I decide to go the steep hill way. It's less of a jungle and it gets me to the top unscathed (but very wet).

At the top, I find a  Sego Lily - I don't think I've ever seen one here before (then I'm not often here this late in July either).

Off I go to find the actual trail passing Salsify (in all stages), Lupine (still in bloom), Asters (or Purple Fleabane - lots of it) and others. The dew on the Salsify "puff" looks awesome - especially w/ the dew!

One thing I do notice that's missing are the deep red thistles that were at the start of the trail. Did the record snow kill them OR did someone do some invasive weed clearing? (They can do some invasive beaver clearing so the entry trail is easily passable again. :))

I start down the trail and I hear a bird that is screeching none stop. I find it in the tall trees; it's a Kestrel! It must have a nest nearby.

As soon as I'm far enough away, the screeching stops! That was cool!

Along the trail, I'm seeing some roses, white Yarrow, Geranium, and lots of Hollyhock, 

pink clover and those Purple Asters/Fleabane. There are others of course.

I'm in the shade at this point.

My 1st butterfly of the day is a Checkered White and some Painted Ladies too.

Farther along and near the meadow, the Horsemint is blooming too.

Hey, I've reached the meadow!!

I see a Western Swallowtail and many little orange flyers (European Skippers). Oh, and a Field Crescent.

As I walk toward the pond, I find Boisduval Blues

and Northern Cloudywing.

But there are not many butterflies flying despite the incredible amount of nectar sources. I'm surprised.

Also, just past the entry of the meadow, there used to be tons of those thistles; all but gone now. Definitely, disappointment because the Great Spangled Frits (and other butterflies) love these. Again, I have no idea why they are gone.

I reach the pond. It still has lots of water despite the lack of rain this summer. Dragonflies are flying including this guy.

But no butterflies - maybe it's still early.

Once past the pond, things pick up a little as I make my way to the 2 mile mark.

I start seeing Great Spangled Frit (males and females)

And a Mormon Frit.

Also Northern Checkerspots and more Northern Cloudywing.

I stop just past the 2 mile mark and start my return.

Still hoping to see some Coppers; sure thought they'd be flying still.

I do scare 3 Grouse. They flew one at a time so I was too startled this time.

Just before the pond, I stop at the muddy. It's not very muddy but I find N. Cloudywing and Painted Lady there. And another flyer that I thought might be a Ringlet (it's a little too late for Ringlet) but after getting a better glimpse, it's a Copper. And then it was gone. :(

After the muddy spot (and the dam), there a little meadow and I find my Coppers! (Purplish Coppers)

and I get a good look at the European Skippers.

I look the pond and I'm only seeing the Skippers. Oh, I see a Small Wood Nymph!!

Back near the entry of the meadow (now exit), I see a very "blank" butterfly. Is it a Pale Crescent? I'm super excited but I thought they were more drier species; it's wet here. Hmm. (On further review of the photo, I believe it's a Northern Crescent w/ odd markings.)

Farther down the trail, I see another one of the potential Pale Crescent and a Weidemeyer's Admiral!!

And the last score that I find in some Sagebrush are mating Northern Checkerspots!!

That Kestrel was not happy with my return but this time I just sped right past.

Back at my car, I see a Satyr Comma (and N. Cloudywing) in some muddy spot.

Awesome day (15 species)! It was my 1st and last time this year (just not a lot flying anymore).