June 6 (Part 1 & 4) Beehive Springs (Greens Peak Rd)

First day of the butterfly blitz!! Heading to Green's Peak in hopes of seeing Rhesus and Morrison Skippers and Alberta Arctic.

I'm attacking from the south first heading up FR-17 to the base of Green's Peak and then hoofing it up to the top (10,100ft). After I'm done, I'm thinking of heading to some spots near Greer but that could change.

I get going around 7:30am and head first to the White Mt Grasslands Wildlife Area to hike the Ocote Trail (2.6 miles). Unfortunately, I abort as the instructions say to "Cross the cattle guard and proceed a short distance to the parking area" but I cross the cattle guard and find no parking. Onward to Greens Peak!

But first a detour onto 1325 (another White Mt Grasslands sign) but quickly find nothing that has to do with the Grasslands. However, there are some Iris and Rhesus Skippers enjoy these. So I stop and start the search. The Iris are pretty spent but I do find a few Field Crescents.

Onward (and upward)!

I find the turn for Green's Peak (FR-17) pretty easily and start the 4 mile drive up the dirt road. When I reach Beehive Springs, I stop because 1) Someone has found Alberta Arctic here according to iNaturalist and 2) there are Iris.

I do a quick search and find Field Crescent and Thicket Hairstreak loving on the Iris. I wander for a bit before continuing to Green's Peak. (See Part 2)

But I do return here after my Green's Peak adventure. The places is hopping now!

There are more Thicket Hairstreak - boy these guys are unmovable on these Iris!

I also find:

Ringlets

Draco Skippers



Western Swallowtails

Two-tailed Swallowtails

Mylitta Crescents

Arctic Blues

Marine Blue


a worn Dreamy Duskywing




Northwestern Frit (he was just crawling along the grasses never flying).


but no Alberta Arctic.

I decide not to look for butterflies near Greer but instead head up to Hwy 60 and the northern access to Green's Peak and search for Rhesus and Morrisons Skipper and the Alberta too!

See Part 3.

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