May 30 - Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day and mid-70s predicted (and no threat of afternoon storms for change).

Planning on heading to Desolation Lake today.

Off somewhat bright and early this morning and was at the trailhead by 8:30am. Very cool with temps around 43 degrees.

Being a holiday, I thought this trail head would be packed already (some of the others are) but only a few cars at this point. :)

Near the parking area, there are still no flowers in bloom. Along the trail, I see one Geranium in bloom but lots of bluebells.

Hearing many bird songs this morning including Robins, Dark-eyed Juncos and Yellow-Rumped Warblers.

The ground squirrels are chirping too.

Mt Reynolds to the south still has a lot of snow at the higher elevations.

I turn to head up the valley in a northerly direction.

Its early and I'm scanning the aspens up the hill from me and across the little valley for moose and deer. I do see a fresh deer track on the muddy trail.

And a caterpillar crossing the trail.

I'm surprised that I haven't seen a single person so far as this tends to be a pretty popular trail (especially with bikers).

Just scanning the forests when I see something.... it's a bull moose!!!

He's feeding on the smaller trees about 75ft up the hill from me. I maneuver along the trail to get a clearer view (lots of trees in the way). I watch for a while until he starts moving my way - time to go. :)

Not too much further along, I see a lone deer uphill from me. She just stands there very still until I move off.

I get to the stream crossing. A couple of weeks ago, this is where the snow started; today. the snow has finally melted. Instead there's lots of green plants emerging.

I get to the intersection of the Dog Lake and Desolation Lake trails. I should turn towards Desolation Lake but the energy level is just not there today for another 2 miles (4 round trip) so I'm taking the shorter trail to Dog Lake.

Not an easy 0.6mile as there's snow on the trail here and another 500 ft to climb.

Along the way, I see a chipmunk.

And earthworms .... on the snow!!

And there are quite few! I've never seen worms on snow before; a little strange but they are alive and wiggling.

I arrive an unfrozen Dog Lake. In fact, the only snow around is the trail I just came up and the far left corner.

Very quiet as there's only one other person at the lake.

I walk around the lake before heading back down the trail. (There are people now heading up toward the lake.)

Part way down the snowy trail, I see my first bfly of the day -- a Mourning Cloak. I see another before leaving the snowy section.

Although the sun is higher in the sky and the temps are warmer, I do not see any other bflies except one Spring Azure not too far from the trail head.

Great Day!

And on this Memorial Day, let us remember all the men and women who gave their lives for this country and give thanks to those who have served and continue to serve.

May 28 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Heading to the Mormon Trail today - butterfly check:)

I actually was here yesterday late morning but the predicted afternoon showers started as soon as I pulled in the parking lot. I knew I was in trouble when the nice clear valley turned into lots of rain clouds as soon as I crested Parley's Summit heading towards Park City. So the highlight of the trip was seeing an elk as drove back to Salt Lake.

Today, sunny and no afternoon showers in the forecast.

I arrive around 10am; sunny, puffy clouds and low 60s.

It's about 2 weeks since I've last been here. The trail water levels should be much lower. That thought is confirmed when I get to the main trail and the trailside creek is barely flowing. There are a few muddy spots but no water until I get to the "main" creek crossing but the water is low enough to easily hop across.

Dandelions are still the dominant blooming flower although this yellow flower is catching up.

The Pink Geraniums are just starting to bloom.

I see a few Western Tailed Blues and Rocky Mountain Duskywings.

But lots of Two-tailed Swallowtails (20+ today) flying today!

There seems to be less bflies out today than a couple weeks ago but perhaps it's still too cool out.

Lots of birds singing this morning. There's definitely robins in the mix but I can't seem to find any of the other birds.

I finally find one - just not one of the singing variety - a Kestrel!

On my way to the Mormon camp, I see a Cabbage White, Sara Orangetips, Field Crescents,

Common Ringlets, Painted Ladys and Spring Azures.

And I see a lifer - Afranius Duskywing!!
 

 More wild Strawberries and Bluebells (they are actually Chiming bells) are blooming.

And the lupine is about ready.

I arrive at the camp; lots of purple (Larkspur) and yellow composites in the meadow.

I see a hummingbird; green with a black breast. He quickly flies away.

As I pass the pond, there are still no dragonflies out.

I stop to talk to my biker friend - he calls me the bfly lady. We met last year on the trail. Not a lot of folks bike this trail so they tend to be memorable (like the guy with the 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks). I really haven't seen many folks today but he's says there are lots - Memorial Day. I will soon meet them all at some point on the trail. Not hikers, bikers. :( This is my 4th season hiking here and I can count the number of bikers I've seen on 1 hand. Today, there's so many of them! It's a tough trail to bike - lots of dry/wet rocky stream crossings, ruts, narrow washed out trail portions = lots of walking the bike -- but there's lots of folks giving it a shot. I know this is self-centered but I hope this is not a trend; I hope it's just a bunch of folks wanting to get out and the mountain trails are not totally clear yet. Please!

I continue pass the camp.

The bird droppings were a better bfly magnet than the mud puddles today - especially for the Blues.

After the 2 mile mark, there's still not many bflies out. However, I do see my 1st White Checkered Skippers of the year!

I also start seeing Mourning Cloaks - the 10 I saw today were all past the 2 mile mark - and a Hoary Comma, a Juba Skipper and a Mylitta Crescent.

The trail which was very flooded last time is for the most part clear and I make it past my turnaround point from my previous trip. Mostly Spring Beauties, a few Yellow Glacier Lilies and Yellow Violets blooming in this previously flooded section.

In the drier section, I find this flower - I think its in the Onion Family.

I've seen Green Tiger Beetles earlier today but I see this darker one up near the 3 mile mark.

I decide to turn around when I get to the 3 mile mark. No real reason why.

On the way back, I finally catch up with some birds - Towhee and a Flicker.

At the pond, I finally see a few dragonflies!

I'm not too far from the parking area when I see my 1st Pale Swallowtail of the year!!

Great Day! (21 bfly species today!)

May 20 - Antelope Island (Babies rule)

Cloudy day and will be turned very windy by afternoon (high wind warnings already posted) but the temps should be in the mid-70s.

I'm heading off to Antelope Island today to search for baby animals.

Very cloudy (and not windy yet) when I arrive. Last night's rain has left the lakes beds wet with puddles (and the lake water seems higher than normal).

Not far along the causeway, I see a pheasant lay down in the short green vegetation. I quickly stop and exit the car. I look for the pheasant and he's already off and running away but when he feels "safe", he stops again.

As I leave, he's laying down.

Lots and lots of sea gulls along the causeway.

I arrive on the island and I head south towards the Ranch.

Strange to not see any bison early on - the old bulls must be hiding today.

Finally, a lone pronghorn!

A little further along, I see something along the lake bed edge; there are 7 deer! No fawns yet (at least for these doe).

Nearing the Frary Gravesite Interpretive trail, there are bison! I pull in the parking area and start walking along the trail. Definitely baby bison in the herd! I continue along the trail hoping to get closer but the herd is moving; with each step I take towards them, they take steps moving way.

They don't like my presence so I stop and head back.

I turn back on the main road and I quickly spot a dark form to the left. I stop; it's coyote!!

His fur is all fluffed out!

That's the first coyote I've seen in quite sometime. Nice surprise!

A little further along, I see another lone pronghorn.

And then, just before the Ranch, a huge bison herd down near the shore. They're not grouped up; rather a long line. And there are little reds!

So cute!

I see one nursing.

There are 2 wildlife trucks near the animals; they must be counting the babies. (Or after what happened at Yellowstone recently, maybe they're guarding the herd.)

Time to head to the Ranch and look for some owls. Last time I was here 2 weeks ago, the owlets were hidden in their nest (a tree hollow).

I go to that tree and can't find any owls. As I'm looking around, two of the Ranch volunteers come by and find one of the semi-fluffy babies. (There are 3 babies and they are now starting to get their feathers.)

This one is high in a tree. He's alert and is watching me. He's so cute with the little horns sticking up!

My first Great Horned Owl baby!!

Mom and Dad have to be close so we search them. I find what I think is one of the parents. The owl is in the tree next to the owlet. It's hard to see because of the back lighting but do see feathers waving. The one volunteer informs me what I'm looking at is actually the other 2 owlets. Yea!

They tell me, the solo one like being on his own; and the other two together.

We walk around looking for parents but they are well hidden.

The tree with the two owlets is close to the fence so I exit the area and go around for a better view.

The one owlet is standing. He's alert and watching me. The other is taking a nap laying down.

I head off down the fence looking for Mom or Dad. Can't find either. When I arrive back at the two, the standing one is also napping. So very cute!

Well I've seen two kinds of babies today. I'm very happy but there's still time for a third; a baby pronghorn. Time to continue the search on the other side of the island.

On the way back, the larger of the bison herd continues to move south towards the Ranch.

The one coyote has crossed the road and is now with a mate! They are heading up a hill and have stopped many times to scratch.

The smaller herd of bison has move off toward the mountains; very hard to see now.

I stop to let a lone bison cross the road in front of me. That's the only lone bison I've seen today.

As I head to the west side of the island, I see 2 light colored animals sprinting in the distance. It's 2 pronghorn and I'm not sure what they were so frightened of.

I head up to the Bison Point for a quick look. There are no bison around White Rock Bay.

On the way down, I see a single pronghorn in the same location where I saw 2 last time I was here. Must be it "home" turf.

I pass the area where I saw the Burrowing Owl, but see no owls.

Along the causeway, I see 2 Avocets.

And a hawk on  my way out!

Still no baby pronghorn but can't complain with everything I've seen.

Awesome day!

May 17 - Lambs Canyon

Mostly cloudy and mid 50s today. Heading to Lambs Canyon for a quick hike. This is probably the earliest in a year I've done this hike so I am expecting snow on the upper parts. Hopefully I'll make it to the top. (There were lots of folks here on Saturday when I stopped to check for bflies, must be a doable hike.)

I'm not expecting to see bflies today -- it's cool and cloudy. And as I drive up the canyon, I don't see any flyers. Nor are there any around the parking lot.

I start up the trail (~2 miles and 1500 ft in elevation). Very green forest floor -- there are Solomon's Seal and geranium plants (as well as others) but not yet in bloom.

In bloom are Oregon-grape, Waterleaf, Yellow Violets, Wild Strawberries, Fairy Bells

and even the purple Virgin's Bower vine.

Higher up the trail, I see Spring Beautys.

The forest is very open as the aspens and other trees have not leafed out yet.

The trail is little muddy spots. And the creek is flowing nicely. A great sound I will listen to most of the way up the trail.

There's lots of winter dead fall over the trail; from single logs to whole trees branches and all. Makes for some trail gymnastics just to get over or around the obstacle. Lots of trail cleanup required all the way up the trail.

At some point while still walking along the creek, I end up in the brush. The trail is here but it's overgrown. I look up and see another trail about 10 feet above me and I make my way there. Hmmm, how did I miss the turn off?

I see fresh-ish Moose tracks along the trail and not so fresh scat. Maybe I'll get lucky and see a moose. (I've only seen one here once a couple of years ago.)

The dead fall continues even when I reach the snow section.

I finally reach the final 1/4 mile. It's a snow covered trail (about 3 ft still) cut from a pretty steep slope. And in one spot there's a very large tree across it. Can't go under it or around it; the only choice is over and there are lots of branch nubs. The tree is about hip high. Here's goes nothing; I'm trying to avoid the nubs but Ouch! got my ankle. I think I found the ankle "funny bone".

I continue just a little further before deciding its best to head down with my throbbing ankle. :(

On the way back, I really didn't miss that turnoff for the upper trail as there really isn't one. Just a hiker made "slide". Odd to re-route a trail but not officially connect them.

Good hike!

May 14 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

I've been very anxious to see butterflies this year and I realized last night that it's the middle of May and I have yet to go to my favorite butterfly spot in UT, the Mormon Pioneer trail. (Total "brain cramp" on my part for not going sooner.) But today is the day!!

It's heading towards 90 degrees today with sun and fluffy clouds. Should be an awesome day for butterflying. And since I'm heading to the Mormon Trail, it'll be a perfect day for some rock hopping, balancing on logs, and bushwhacking in an attempt to keep the feet dry from the flooded trail (the ongoing snow melt).

When I arrive, the parking lot is packed; mostly campers who will soon be gone.

I work my way along the trail  (and around a couple of tents) to the bridge. I cross the creek and see two yellow birds. The one quickly flies but the other hangs around for a bit. I think it's a Yellow warbler.

I hear lots of bird songs as I work my way thru the trees along the river. The bones of the moose that died in this area last year are since present -- the skull is missing though.

Out of the forest and onto the Sagebrush flats; there's not much blooming here yet other than lots of Dandelions (and a few Yellow Composites).

I don't go too far when I see a dark brown Duskywing flying; then a small orange flyer; and then a different smaller orange flyer. How exciting! I don't know what any of them are but hopefully, some where along the walk, I'll see them all landed.

There are also grasshoppers around - some with red wings.

Not too much further, the trail begins to look like Spring; the trail is a flowing creek - just one of many areas of flooding get around today.

Lots of birds calling but I just find any of them.

I start seeing more butterflies; Western Tailed Blues,

Spring Azures, Rocky Mountain Duskywing, Sleepy Duskywing.

I also a Sara Orangetips (all males) and another White -- I think it might be a Spring White but I can't really tell.

Lots of green plants (lupine, geraniums) around in the forested area. The aspens are leafing out. I do see some blooms on the purple and yellow violets and wild strawberries.

Several more creek crossings and I'm finally entering the big meadow of the "old" Mormon camp. There's Spring Beautys here!

As I near the small pond, I see one of those Whites and quickly snap a photo from far away. Good think I did, because it flew and was good. (Hoping it's good enough to ID.)

In the mud, I see Rocky Mt Duskywings

and Western Tailed Blues.

I walk along the left side of the pond; no dragonflies flying yet. :(

I continue on passing the pond to the natural dam. As expected there is water flowing over the dam; just not pouring over the dam like it would have been a few weeks earlier.

At this point, I stop seeing butterflies - just too early in the season as this section of the trail stays under snow longer due to its lower sun exposure. But I continue on thru clear trail, flowing stream trail and just flooded areas.

In addition to the Spring Beautys, I also see yellow Buttercups and blooming Glacier Lilies.

Somewhere after the 2 mile mark, I come to a very flooded section and although I have one wet foot (slipped off a rock while I was climbing over a branch), it's time to turn around today.

On the way back, I see one Tiger Beetle.

When I arrive back at the pond, I hear one Western Chorus Frog calling. He stops when start around the other side of the pond. Lots of bluebells here!

As I round the far end of the pond, I see those White bflies nectaring. I slowly close in - it's a Large Marble!!

It flies and I try again. When I look up, a Comma flies into my shirt, flies around and into my pants. It flies behind me and when I turn again, he flies into my shirt again. I've never been "attacked" by a butterfly. This repeats a couple of times before I move a few step back - maybe on I'm on his "territorial" spot. He then flies off.

There are still 2 Marbles flying around. I chase that one and then the another one around the meadow trying to get another look but am unsuccessful. But as I run around, I do find some Larkspur in bloom!

I continue on to the trail head. I see a snake basking on the trail but it quickly moves off as I approach.

I also see a Hummingbird Moth (White-lined Sphynx Moth) nectaring on several dandelions. I watch him for several minutes before continuing on.

In one area, I finally see an orange flyer but there are Duskywings and 2 Common Ringlets flying. Lots of bflies just the way I like it!

I turn around and see a Juba Skipper on a flower! Love his little green body!

Continuing on, I finally see one of the orange flyers; it's a Mylitta Crescent!

As I was about a the trail head, I see a Cabbage White and a Mylitta Crescent!

Wonderful day! Awesome to back out there again!

But since Lamb's Canyon is one my way home, I have to stop to check out the butterflies in the mud near the parking area.

As I drive up the canyon, I see Sara Orangetips (still all males), a White, a 3 Two-tailed Swallowtails!

I park and head down to a wet area. Surprisingly, only one Sleepy Duskywing there.

I head up to the muddy area by the parking. I'm shocked again to find only 1 Duskywing! Where are all the butterflies?!

I head to the drier area near the outhouse. I'm a little happier now as I see a Field Crescent and a Juba Skipper here.

Awesome day!!