May 1 - Chasing Indra Swallowtails

I got some information last week about Indra Swallowtails (a beautiful black swallowtail) flying in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. This bfly is typically found in arid and rugged high elevation country, so seeing them at a lower elevation is quite special. I've never seen an Indra Swallowtail (knowingly anyway) so I'm really excited. If I see them, they will be all males, who in this canyon come down in the Spring to mud puddles (good nutrients in that mud) -- easy viewing, great picture possibility.

Had hoped to get there last week-end (they were sighted early last week) but we had rain off and on Sat & Sun so making an 1.5 hour drive just wasn't worth it. I'm going today and hoping that I find at least one.

The canyon is beautiful. Big black rocky cliffs, the leaves on the trees/shrubs are out (so nice and green), and the road follows a creek. Much of the canyon is a WMA.

At the start of the canyon, the cliffs are right next to the road (to the left or north) and the creek, naturally, on the right. Being a canyon, there are mountains/foothill/cliffs on the other side of the creek. Lovely, winding drive.

Not too far into the canyon, I see swallowtails flying next to the cliffs, find a place to pull-off and hope. Of course, they're gone when I get there. I repeat this effort a few more times. I do see a Mylitta Crescents, a Two-Tailed Swallowtail (1st of the year), Anise Swallowtails (including a very fresh one -- wings still slightly curled) so each stop does have value.

I need to find mud puddles. I unfortunately speed past one. But thankfully, no one is behind me, so I back up and park. I walk up on the muddy area and there are couple of Anise Swallowtails, many Cabbage Whites and that beautiful black Indra Swallowtail -- YES!!! And there are 4 of them!!!

I watch for a while and decide to continue down the road. Soon I come upon a picnic area and pull in. Nice area for a picnic right along the creek.

And there are many butterflies flying around, nectaring and chasing each other. The dandelions are the nectar source of the day. I take a walk through the area seeing what is flying. Lots of Cabbage Whites, Field Crescents, and Painted Ladies. I also see a few Mylitta Crescents.

Crossing the creek, I spot another Indra just hovering near the creek's edge. The other side is almost as active with more Painted Ladies, Mylitta and Field Crescents, and Cabbage Whites flying. I also see one Sara Orangetip (a female) and a Comma.

Back on the other side, I walked down the creek to the end of the picnic area adding a Spring Azure, a Juba Skipper, Mourning Cloak and a Milbert's Tortioseshell to my list. The picnic area is a little bfly haven today!

I continue down the road stopping at a dam. May not be a natural waterfall but its not bad.

The road ends at the Hardware Ranch (~5700ft). During the winter months, elk arrive here in huge numbers and the WMA have many elk viewing opportunities available during that time. I walk around a little bit and see another Sara Orangetip and scare up some grouse (actually they scared me).

Time to head back up the canyon to head home.

I stop at the picnic area again for another walk-thru. Not the bfly haven as before but they're still flying. I add a Checkered White to my day's list. And down by the creek, that Indra that I previously saw hovering, is puddling at the creek's edge.

Back in the car and headed for my original mud puddle. I arrive and find only Cabbage Whites -- I definitely had good arrival timing.

But on the way back to my car, I notice a nice sized water puddle (w/ mud) across the street. I head over and find at least 30 Cabbage Whites,

Two Anise Swallowtails. And 14 Indras!!!! Can't ask for easier butterflying!

 

Not as many Indras as the video clip from last week but still Unbelievable!

Incredible day!