June 13 - Mormon Trail (Butterfly Bonanza)

Heading to the Mormon Trail to check on the butterflies (it's been 2 weeks since I've been there). And they didn't disappoint.

Lots of Salsify in bloom now

as well as the Purple Asters (from 2 weeks ago) and clover (great bfly nectar --- just not today). And the lupine is in bloom.

The water in the creek (at least in the lower parts) isno longer flowing. I think it will be a much easier walk today (but definitely less interesting/challenging).

Lots of Swallowtails (of the Two-tailed or Western varieties) flying. The Westerns definitely like to fly almost right into my body before flying off.

I'm still seeing the Relict Frit flying.

And the Ringlets are sure out today.
 

 The day is really about the butterflies. After seeing the Relicts, the first bflies I see are the some Garita Skipperlings - first time this year. There's two of them --- in their typically "fighter jet" profile.

Nearby, I think I see the darker Russet's Skipperling flying but never catch up for a definite ID.

The mud puddles, as always, were great spots for butterflying but they were zipping around everywhere.

See my first Purplish Copper of the year near the pond.

And my first Yellow Monkeyflower in a puddle near the pond -- funny  there is only one plant.

I stop at the pond - many more dragonflies and damselflies flying.

On the other side of the pond, there's a large mud puddle on the bank and there are swallowtails puddling -- lots of them!! I make my way over and confirm the IDs of all three Swallowtails that I've seen today in one puddle (life can't be easier) -- Two-tailed (the largest one - thin stripes), the Western (the next largest with bolder stripes) and the Anise (the smaller with the most black). Perfect!

I try to manuever a little closer and the butterflies fly all at once in a swirl of yellow. I just watch as fly around.

In another puddle, there are Rocky Mt Duskywing, Spring Azure, Sleepy Duskywing, and Boisduval and Western Tail Blue (no Swallowtails in this puddle).

I continue on past the pond. I see more Garita and another 1st for the year, the Weidenmeyer's Admiral (I call it the black-n-white top when it flies -- just a swirl of black-n-white like a top -- a little hypnotic).

Further along the trail and joining the sea of orange fliers, I spot a Northern Checkerspot (another first for the year).

All the large pools of water are gone past the pond are gone now -- just little watery puddles here and there.

I spot one of my favorite plants in a shady spot -- the large white Columbine.

A few more puddles and I add Mexican & Northern Cloudywing, Dreamy Duskywing, Hoary & Saytr Commas and Mustard Whites to my day.

I'm also seeing Sara Orangetips on the higher parts of the trail.

I break for lunch.

On the way back, I add the Clodius Parnassian to my day's sightings -- a total of 30 species today! Pretty happy!

Great day!