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!!