June 6 (Part 2) - Greens Peak (from the south)

First day of the butterfly blitz!! Continuing from Beehive Springs to the base of Green's Peak in hopes of seeing Rhesus and Morrison Skippers and Alberta Arctic.

When I get to the base of Green's Peak, I'm hoofing it up to the top (10,100ft) - approx 2 miles and 600ft in elevation gain.

 

Time to climb!!

Along the way, I seeing mostly Draco Skippers and Ringlets

They tail off in the middle of the hike but pick up again towards the top.

The view is incredible on the way up --- I'm looking for Elk but not seeing any.

It's 68 degrees and quite windy.

I think I see a Riding's Satyr near the top but I lose it over the edge.

Oh, there a few Mountain Bluebirds up top as well.

A lot more butterfly activity up top.

Draco Skippers (there may have been others), 

Arachne Checkerspot, 

Mexican Cloudywings, 



Rocky Mt Duskywings, 
Mustard Whites, Field Crescents, Orange Sulphur, Western Swallowtail, and what I think is a Black Swallowtail or maybe a Bairds Old World Swallowtail (sucks my camera was on Macro mode when I shot it).

I wander over to the antenna to enjoy the incredible views.

Towards the ski resort

Looking east (I think)


On the way down, I find a caterpillar crossing the road and he's moving fast. When I hover over, he tries to take cover.

When I get near my car, I start searching thru the grasslands for the Alberta Arctic. I believe I saw two -- some orange upperwings - but they wouldn't stop. :(

I move my car a bit farther down the road to search closer to the pines but nothing. (I will have to go back and search later this week).

I head back to Beehive Springs. (See Part 1 & 4)


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