Today I traveled to Fairbanks arriving around 2:30pm to sun and temperatures near 80 degrees. Nice! Much different than when I was here a couple years ago when I hardly saw the sun and dodged rain drops.
I want to see butterflies (and scenery) so I head up to Murphy Dome, an Air Force Long Range Radar Site but was, at one time, a military station.
Unfortunately, I didn't plan well depending solely on directions from my phone. Big mistake because according to my phone, "I arrived" before I even hit the dirt road I knew was coming. I turned around hoping to complete the trip on my final day in Fairbanks. But it was a wonderful winding drive through the forest. I saw butterflies - yellow swallowtails which appears to be a Canadian Swallowtail, brown butterflies - some species of Alpine, and a Blue.
After my failed Murphy Dome attempt, I decide to head over Creamer's Field Waterfowl Refuge in Fairbanks. I was here a couple of years back and walked the Boreal Loop Trail (1 mile). It was a cloudy day but I did see Alpines flying then. I'm hoping to ID them today.
I arrive and start down the trail. Lots of Alpines flying (and a few Canadian Swallowtail). The only flower blooming in the fields at this point are dandelions. Give it a week and there will be more because the buds are there.
I take what I think is the Boreal Trail but end up at a beautiful pond/lake.
I don't remember from my last visit but I like it and follow the trail. Plenty of dragonflies/damselflies out (but none stopping).
Looking at the pond, I find a couple of ducks. One is definitely a male Bufflehead. (He's actually a sea duck but comes to wooded lakes/ponds for breeding.)
And the other looks like and probably is the female.
I continue along and get very lucky when one of those Alpines stop - yea! It's a Common Alpine!!
Not a lifer butterfly as I've seen them in Colorado - but it's cool because I've seen it in Alaska. :)
I continue along enjoying the tons of wild roses that are in bloom. Soon the trail ends up in the mud along the lake shore. Again, I don't remember this - I remember boardwalks but I quickly step though only to end up at a gate. A sign at the gate say that only people traffic is allowed. This is not the same trail I was on last time so I head back.
As I pop out back in the meadow, I see a couple of Whites flying and another little flyer that I did not get a good look at. Oh, and I can't forget the one Mourning Cloak.
I head across the edge of the meadow and actually find the "real" Boreal Trail - whew, good thing I had turned around. I head out over the boardwalks and onto the trail.
Very quiet travelling as I hear only the mosquitoes buzzing in my ears.
It's definitely warm out today; this poor Robin is so trying to cool off.
In spots, the trail is a little forest in a bigger forest.
And then of course, there's the water - curious why all these trees are bent
I find a Mom Mallard with her little flock.
I finish the trail and decide its time to end my long travel day. I have one free day tomorrow before my Arctic Adventure starts on Friday. Happiness!
