July 2 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Sunny day today with temps in the low 90s. It's summer so there will be thunderstorms building in afternoon.

Heading to the Mormon Pioneer Trail this morning for a butterfly check. Planning on only going as far as the mile 3 marker.

It's about 73 and sunny when I start the trail.

The Purple Asters, clover and Mountain Hollyhock are now in bloom.

The trail is really dry now - definitely in need some rain.

Lots of Weidemeyer's Admiral and Swallowtails flying; the entire trio: Two-tailed, Western and Pale. as well as White Admirals.

The first mile goes quickly as it is pretty dead as far as butterflies go (except for the Swallowtails and Admirals).

As I approach the camp (about 1.25 miles) there seems be a few more flyers. In the wetter area before the camps, fields of white geraniums are in bloom.

I pass the pond on the left side. Many dragonflies zipping around.

I see Boisduval's Blue,  the bright orange Lilac Bordered Coppers

and Common Ringlets.

The little yellow Monkeyflowers are in bloom.

I check on the muddy area behind the old dam; it's totally dry and no butterflies.

After the dam, I start seeing Northern Checkerspots, Mylitta Crescents, Garita Skipperlings, and Common Checkered Skippers.

I'm looking for Frits - it's that time of year. It takes awhile but I finally see the large bright orange of the beautiful Great Spangled Frit. Such a pretty butterfly!

I three of them today.

I see Northern Crescents, Purplish Coppers, and Checkered Whites.

I'm still wondering where the other species of Frits are but after the 2 mile marker, a few appear.

Not a bad butterfly day as I see Frits chasing Frits; Checkerspots chasing Frits in some areas.

The numbers are still down from 2 years ago but hopefully improving.

I run into my biker friend, he tells me to continue past the 3 mile mark about a 1/4 mile further as there is a muddy section with a bunch of Admirals. I know where he's talking about.

Along the way I see the White Columbine in bloom!

Add a Red Admiral and a very beaten Clodius  Parnassian to today list.

Just before the "muddy" area, there's a dead doe alongside the trail. It's very recent - may have to avoid going this far in the next couple of weeks.

I arrive at the muddy area and the Admirals are still there.

But they are not alone. In the mud, I see a Northern Cloudywing, CA Tortoiseshell,

Russet Skipperling

and Boisduval Blue

Well worth the extra 1/2 mile round-trip.

On the way back, I add a Mourning Cloak. And still hanging around, a Sara Orangetip and a Relict Frit.

In total, I see 20 butterflies today (plus 2 for the species of Frit I'm having trouble ID'ng)

Nice hike.