July 16 - Mormon Trail

Sunny day with highs in the mid-90s.

Heading up to hike the Mormon Trail this morming.

The road is wet this morning; we need the rain and it should help with the butterflying - perhaps.

The trail from the bridge to the actual trail is horrible this morning. The rain/dew has the tall grasses soaked and fallen over the trail. Hard to see where to step and I'm getting soaked. Trying to rescue my key fob from my front pants pocket from the water. When I exit the grasses into the muddy forest, my pants and shirt are soaked - so glad it's not too chilly this morning.

All that water and the shade is not going to help any butterflies trying to get going this morning.

And yes, very quiet morning. But the 1st butterfly species I find is a GSF (male); one of many today. In fact, it's the Frits and Northern Checkerspots (in a lesser role) that rule the trail this morning.

Even the meadow is quiet. There's a little pickup past the meadow but not much. I definitely need to start coming later.

I see what I think is a Lazuli Blue -- just wasn't fast enough with the camera.

I turn around at the 3 mile mark once again. 

Butterflying the return is definitely better but still weak. I think those bugs are having some trouble getting going this morning. And hey, it's the middle of July; the peak is wrapping up.

On the return, I find that big flock of Grouse again. I don't flush them but I do send them scurrying through the brush. Lots of noises as I slowly pass thru them.

Highlights of the day: the 1st female GSF of the day and Russett's Skipperlings. I only see one female GSFs.

I also find a snake not far from the parking lot on the way back. It's the 2nd of the season.

Sightings include;

 Mustard White

Cabbage White

Clouded Sulphur

GSF

Callipe Frit

Mormon Frit

Great Basin Frit (??)


Northern Cloudywing

Northern Crescent

Northern Checkerspot

Small Wood Nymph

CA Tortoiseshell (fresh)

Russetts Skipperling

Western Tiger Swallowtail

Two-tailed Swallowtail

European Skipper



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