I arrive just after 9:30 and start off anxious to see some new flyers especially the Greater Frits - namely Coronis, Callipe,Great Basin, Northwestern, Great Spangled and Zerene. They cause me lots of problems identifying, except the Great Spangle and the one I've been seeing, the Relict (which is a Lesser Frit).
Landscape is continuing to dry but there still are flowers: Yarrow, Cinquefoil, lots of Clover, etc. I'm excited to see the Mountain Wild Hollyhocks coming into bloom.
The Spittlebugs are out now.
Butterflies are starting a little slow but slowly increase as time goes by.
Still seeing lots of orange flyers (Northern & Field Crescents, Northern Checkerspots and the Relict Frit), tons of Ringlets, Weidenmeyer Admirals,
Boisduvals Blues and a Silvery Blue.
In lesser numbers, Western tailed Blues, Common Checkered Skippers, Rocky Mt Duskywing, Dreamy Duskywing,
Northern Cloudywing, Purplish Coppers and Mourning Cloaks (including one with an almost golden band - quite beautiful).
I see a few Whites today - namely a Cabbage White and a Checkered White (new for the year). And the Clodius Parnassian.
Also new for the season, the Lilac Bordered Copper
Greenish Blues
(I think these are Greenish Blues too.)
Garita Skipperling
and of course, Frits! I believe I saw mostly Callippe Frits
and 2 Great Spangled (males).
The muddy areas behind the dam have less flyer today - probably because they are drying. But I do see some butterfly predation by a large black bee-like insect with a white band on its body. I have no idea what it is but there are several of them cruising low over mud. I watch one bfly escape and another one that is flow away for lunch. Fascinating to watch.
And I get a good look at a Milbert's Tortoiseshell that lands on my pant leg.
I continue along - the bflies appear to be more numerous after the pond. I reach the 2 mile mark and continue past for the first time this year. The bfly numbers have gone down now but I do find some wonderful White Columbine!
And Heart-leafed Arnica (which has bloomed at the lower elevations weeks ago).
I'm closing in on the 3 mile mark and notice clouds building above. I decide to turn around and head back hoping I can get back to the dam and pond with the sun still shining.
Along the way, I pass a caterpillar
And a moth (no sneaking up on this one, he was already dead).
Unfortunately, the sun turns spotty by the time I reach either of them. At the muddy area, there are only a couple of bflies left. But the rest of the walk back still has plenty of fliers to look at.
Wonderful day!
