April 29 - Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Lots of stuff to do today but since I'm basically at the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon this morning, might as well take an hour and drive up to the Brighton/Solitude resort area and visit Silver Lake.

Cold front blew thru late yesterday dropping the Salt Lake highs from the lower 80s to the mid-60s (more normal temperatures). But its a sunny morning and perfect to check out the remaining snow levels in the canyon.

Driving up, the canyon is greening up --- leaves are still coming. The lower part of the canyon is free of snow. After passing the Spruces area (7500 ft) I start seeing snow on the northern side. Of course, the peaks still have plenty of snow. I start seeing snow on the ground as I reach the Solitude resort. The ski slopes are still covered in snow; just getting a bit thin at the bottom of the slope.

I'm not sure what to expect at Silver Lake (8700 ft). We've had a poor snow year but we also had a late snow year starting in mid-Feb. Usually, Silver Lake clears around the 1-2nd week of May. As I pull into a totally empty parking lot around 8:30 I realize that it'll be a snowy walk.

I confirm that when I walk to the other side of the Visitor's Center.

There's still at least 2 feet of snow probably much more in spots.

The boardwalk is covered. The lake is still iced over except an open "stream". I start off in the counter-clockwise direction following frozen foot prints and heading in the direction of a bench I can see ahead of me.

I soon reach the bench and then the bridge crossing the edge of the lake. There's a bit of open water here - I can see the ice ledge below.

I continue around reaching the opposite side of the lake. I also reach the trail up to Twin Lakes. I so want to head up there but unfortunately I just don't have the time today. :( So I just continue.

Then continuing to the shady side -- snow's much deeper here.

Seeing robins flying and see one Mountain Chickadee (but hear several of them).

I make it back in the open and over to the short creek crossing where I find a male/female Mallard;

the male laying on the snow and the female laying in some vegetation in the stream.

It's time to head out. Great stop!

April 28 - Gravel Pit Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island today. Even though the gnats are out, there's still baby bison being born and the question of whether or not, there's baby Great Horned Owls coming.

Heading to above 80 degrees again today with sunny skies. But there's clouds right but they are moving off. And it's windy - which is awesome to help with bug control.

Partly cloudy as I arrive on the causeway. As I cross, I see a Kestrel perched on a road sign. The duck/shorebird numbers have dropped a lot - seems like many have continued their northern migration.

I head south towards the Ranch and quickly pass a small herd of bison.

Next stop is the overlook. As I pull in, there's a bird perched and what I assume to be its mate trying to land but my scares the flyer away. The other bird calls several time before it flies too.

Moving on, and past Frary Peak, I see some dark spots on shore that looks curious. I stop, it's 5 deer!!

In the distance, I can see a small herd of bison on the shoreline and I drive forward to get closer. But before I get there, I see a flash of white to my left. It's a lone Pronghorn moving south!

I continue on towards the bison but stop as there's a deer near the road. I get out of my car - the deer doesn't care, he (yes, its a buck - there horns are just starting) just looks at me

and continues eating.

Finally, I reach the bison! No babies here but there are several Pronghorns hanging out with them!

Across the street, is another small herd of bison.

I continue on but quickly stop for a Western Meadowlark belting out his song.

As I'm approaching the Ranch, I'm wondering where the big bison herd with the babies are. Can't image they moved that far with newborns and still pregnant cows.

I arrive at the Ranch and I see a fair sized herd of bison about another 1/4 south of the Ranch on the shore. Perhaps, I'll head out there but there doesn't look to be babies. But first, time to check out the Great Horned Owls.

As I walk outside the parking lot, I see a Kildeer trying to distract me from it's nest. (I have no idea where the nest is but it must be near.)

I head back and the DNR guy I've been talking to for the last several weeks is just opening up the gates. He tells me that both the female and male were seen last week which means either they didn't have owlets OR the owlets are old enough to be left alone for a while. I'm hoping for the latter.

We head back looking up in the trees for owls. I locate one owl - this one looks large so it's probably the female. She's actually not far from where they suspect the nest to be.

And then I continue around the south side of the wooded area. When I'm about to head north, there's the other owl!!! And he's very alert!

Awesome!

Well, it's time to move on and see if my head net actually keeps the gnats out. Since I'm a bit nervous, I decide to do one of the shorter trails - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (2.2 miles one-way).

On my way back up the island to the trail (which is near the viewpoint), I find that big herd of bison with babies not far from the Ranch!! (They are far enough back that they can only be seen when going south.)

There are even more "little reds" this week!!

Continuing on to my trail head, I see two brown masses in the grasses near the shore. I stop -- they're Sandhill Cranes feeding!!!

A bit further down the road, I find two deer -- probably part of the five I saw earlier.
 
I soon reach the trail head, put a long sleeve shirt on and my head net and venture outside my car. It's sunny and in the 70s and I'm loving the wind!

As I start up the trail, there are still lots of pink Redbill Stork's Bill blooming and yellow Parsley plants. (Hoping, to see the Anise Swallowtail today -- the parsley plant that is quite abundant is a host plant for the species.)

I also find a few Milkvetch.

I do see a few Clouded Sulphurs and Common Checkered Skippers flying.

The head net seems to be working but it just may be the wind (which I'm heading into) that's blowing the gnats right past me. A bit hard to see though.

Soon I'm passing the White Rock Campground; looks pretty empty over there.

I'm nearing the intersection with the White Rock Trail and see a few bikers - one heading south, 3 heading north. Well, they must have scared a Pronghorn as I see one trotting east (away from the bikes).

I soon lose him. But wait, there's another now trotting east. He stops before going over the ridge. As I move up the trail, I spot both of them again.

I'm nearing Beacon Hill when I see a Phlox.

Soon I'm climbing up Beacon Hill with Frary Peak to the south.

Nearing the Beacon Hill station.

And stopping at the end of the view to enjoy the views south!

Time to head back.

I do spot one Anise Swallowtail on the return trip!

And the verdict on the head net. Well, it worked pretty well especially on the way to Beacon Hill where I was walking into the wind. On the way back, the bugs were gathering on the net in front of my face which made me nervous. A few snuck through somehow but it did work. Not sure I'd go hiking on a calm day -- definitely need wind! But I survived and had a good hike.

Time to check out the west side of the island. There I find that the Pronghorn that were behind the Visitor's Center for several weeks are gone; there's a small herd of bison now.

I also find a single Pronghorn on the north side of the island near the shore.

Time to go home! Great day!

April 26 - Lambs Canyon (road walk)

It's still early when I get home from Cedar Fort (around 2pm). Hmmmm, I could hike or I find somewhere to look for butterflies. I think I'll take a walk up the Lambs Canyon road (the winter gate is still closed) and look for butterflies. Not expecting much as many of the Spring species are just getting going in the valley and Lambs Canyon is about 1500 ft higher. But there should be the overwintering species like Mourning Cloaks and Commas.

When I arrive it's about 64 degrees and still sunny. (6530 ft) As expected, the gate is still closed so I won't have to worry traffic.

I start up the road. The moose must really use the road during the winter because there is a lot of moose droppings along the road.

I do find a few flowers in bloom including Forget-me-not

and these whose name escapes me.

There are also many Spring Parsley and Waterleaf plants (no flowers yet).

The creek along the road is flowing but not very high -- which makes sense with the lack of snow this winter.

There is still snow on the peaks though - that's probably the end of the Lambs Canyon hike.

And yes, there are butterflies! I count 13 Mourning Cloaks on my way to the trail head (and they are all heading down the trail).

 I'm also Commas but none are stopping for me to check them out.

Tons of those moths too!

I reach the point of the road where there is usually mud/water along the trail and it's there. But the usual stream of water crossing the road is not there this Spring. :( (It's a good bfly spot because of the water.)

Surprises are find that include 2 Orangetips and a Spring Azure!!

(Wasn't expecting either them.)

I reach the trail head (6600 ft) and check out usual mud next to the parking area -- no butterflies (not surprised).

I cross the footbridge to the trail.

Still snow in spots. I walk it for about 100 feet crossing two snow patches but it's too early -- need more of the snow to melt because the trail goes 1500 feet higher.

Time to head down.

Yea, I finally catch up with those orange flyers and they are not all Commas. I find a couple of California Tortoiseshells which is a big surprise as I've hiked Lambs Canyon for 5 years and this is the first one I've seen.

and a couple Hoary Comma.

Good walk!

April 26 - Cedar Fort Butterflying

Leaving work early today to head down to Cedar Fort UT (about 50 miles south of Salt Lake) to search for SW Orangetips, Dark Veined Spring Whites and Desert Elfins.

I've seen Orangetips and Spring Whites in the Wasatch mountains but the Cedar Fort area is in a different mountain range/different landscape and therefore the subspecies that fly there are a different from what I usually see which is why I'd like to see them. (Also, in the Wasatch, we get Large Marbles. In Cedar Fort, there's Desert Marble - which I'm hoping to see this year too.)

Sunny day and about 72 degrees when I arrive just after noon. The area I'm exploring is around the Rodeo stadium. It's full of Juniper trees. (Wish I had taken a picture.)

I have been here a couple of years ago but really had no idea where to go but I do have a direction this year - just roaming through the landscape looking for flyers and nectaring. (Last time I was here, there were lots of puddles from the snow melt/rain. Today, dry, dry, dry.)

As I leave the street for a dirt road, I see several white butterflies but they are flying.

When I park near the stadium, I see a couple of Whites and a Clouded Sulpher but nothing stopping.

Time to roam. I don't have to go far when I find a nectar source (I've told it's Skunk Sumac.) and on it a butterfly I wasn't expecting - the Great Purple Hairstreak. Unfortunately, my camera was focusing on everything but the Hairstreak and it flew. Sure hope it comes back.

Also, nectaring are several Desert Elfins --- camera issues with them too but there are plenty of them and I just kept trying.

I also find a Juniper Hairstreak.

(Not back, one nectar source - 3 different butterflies!!)

There are also many of those Spotted Moths that were flying up on the Grandeur Peak trail the other day.

So after I had my fill of the Desert Elfins, I start to roam up the dirt road and through the Juniper landscape but not seeing much other than this flower. (Kinda looks like a Puccoon but not sure.)

I could keep heading up the foothills but I think it's time to head back to that nectar source - perhaps that Great Purple has returned.

When I arrive, the Great Purple is back!!!!

Nothing better than a two-fer when butterflying (Desert Elfin in the back).

(Good number of Elfins -- definitely over 10.)

Also find, an Anise Swallowtail flying around.

Don't think the Spring White or Orangetip will happen today so time to move on. Go figure, as I head out, I see my Orangetip flying.

Great day - many Elfins, a Juniper Hairstreak (first one for me in Utah) and the Great Purple Hairstreak (also the first one for me in Utah)!!

April 23 - Grandeur Peak (Millcreek Canyon)

It's a wonderful day (sunny and 65 degrees but cold north wind) so it's time to head out after work for a quick hike.

My plan is to hike up to the saddle of Grandeur Peak -- that's about a 2 mile and 1700 ft hike. (The peak is a little over 1/2 mile farther and another 600 ft higher.)

Hoping to see some butterflies as they are being reported in other canyons around here but every canyon is a bit different with respect to sunlight etc.

I start around 3:40 pm; it's sunny, 64 and windy. But at least for the beginning part of this hike is sheltered from the wind. It is also through the woods.

But first I have to walk up to the trail head from the road as the gate is still closed. It's uphill and follows a creek. Looking for butterflies but only finding moths. I see this one a lot on this hike especially through the woods.

Just a few purple violets in bloom

but lots of Solomon's Seal poking up through the ground.

I pass by one waterfall

and then another and another

before arriving at the actual trail head.

Then it's across the creek and uphill through the woods.

Through the woods I see a Mourning Cloak and than a bit further along, two Mourning Cloaks swirling around each other into the canopy.

And finally a Satyr Comma.

After around a mile, I reach the switchbacks which are more open and of course, sunny. I'm surprised to see how early it is for flowers - I'm pretty sure I've been up on this trail earlier in the season and I've see more flowers. But it's been an odd Spring weather-wise.

There's Spring Parsley (some of which isn't even blooming yet), Oregon-Grape, Waterleaf (in bloom)

another yellow flower,

Yellow Violets

and one of my favorites, Yellow Bells.

I also find a single small lizard.

The views are wonderful regardless of the direction I look.

I'm nearing the rocky section so the "end" is near for me today.

As I get closer to the saddle, I'm finding a few Spring Beauties

and many, many Yellow Bells.

I reach the saddle and climb a little outcropping. There's a few Glacier Lilies blooming

lots of Spring Beauties, and this little beauty.

Time to enjoy the views to the southeast

to the south and Grandeur Peak

and to the east.

Great views but it's time to head down. Wonderful hike!