Dec 29 - Little Dell Reservoir

 Sunny day with temps near 50 in the valley.

After lunch decided to head up to Little Dell Reservoir just to walk down the road down to the water (not the trail).

There are pockets of snow but 98% is snow-free on the west side of the water.

Looking for anything of note.

There are a few Goldeneye ducks on the water and they are making some quacks.

I see a Chickadee and some rabbit tracks in the snow.

And then I got the surprise of the day - a white fluttering butterfly! Yes, a butterfly (a non-overwintering species) on Dec 29! Holy cow! Oh, it's a Western White. (Originally assumed it was a Checkered White because I thought Westerns were high elevation flyers. I was corrected by the butterfly experts. Never assume :))

Fortunately I get a photo before it flies down the hill closer to the water. Wow! I guess scrapping at Antelope Island this morning paid off!

Butterfly expert said: That is absolutely amazing!! For some reason the pupa did not diapause; but, took an extended time to finally emerge in colder weather and is now flying. It won't live long with these temperatures as an adult; but, your find is awesome!!!

Awesome!


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