June 6 (Part 3) - Green's Peak from the North (FR-117/1325)

I find the road (FR-117) and start south. My book says between mile 1-3 search for Riding Satyr and look for other butterflies on the flowers. 

I do stop just after mile marker 1# but there are no flowers just grassland. I walk just for a bit. I head over to some Yucca hoping for a Strecker's sighting. I scare up something which ends up being a very large Cicada.

I continue down the road looking for flowers and wondering when/if I should stop to look for all these other butterflies the book mentions.

At the corner of 1327 (towards the Whiting homestead) I see a mass of pink flowers (Verbena) so I stop. There are also Globe Flower and some other white flowers. As I check the flowers, I find Skippers. And yes, one of those skippers is the Rhesus Skipper (hot dog!)

There's also a Pahaska Skipper

an Orange Sulphur flying 

and what looks to be a Frit (based on a Variegated Frit sighting along the road on my exit, I'm assuming that unknown Frit is a Variegated Frit..

I cross the road to search those pink flower - nothing but an Orange Sulphur.

Doesn't matter, I scored at Lifer!!! And one of my target species!!!

I continue along the finally road reaching the pines. I know need to stop to search for Alberta Arctic but I keep going until I see Iris on both sides of the road. It looks a little spent but I'm here to search.

I stop and head up into the Pines. Most of these Irises are mostly spent but there are still some blooming ones. There is lots of butterfly activity but they're not stopping for long. I see Field Crescents and some little blue.

Finally, I see a Skipper on an Iris. Holy Cow! It's a Morrison's Skipper! Awesome! Score Lifer #2!! And target species #2!

I check out the Irises on the other side of the road but find only a Field Crescent.

I continue on for just a bit before I reach the Y intersection with 117A. 

I've had a very successful day, time to head back to the hotel.

I head back stopping at some yellow flowers on a tree-like plant -- there's nectar why not? I find 2 Variegated Frit.


On the way back to Springville, I pass a small herd of Bighorn Sheep on the north side of the road. Very cool!

Awesome day!!

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