June 10 - Whiterock Trail (Antelope Island)

After a week of 90 degree temperatures, a wonderful cold front rolled through early this morning dropping temperature to a high of 70 degrees today with sunshine. Perfect day for a hike at Antelope Island! (Don't get too many days to hike there in the late Spring/Summer so I'll take advantage of every opportunity.

I reach the causeway just after 7:30. Tons of gulls on the Great Salt Lake. (A small breeding area I'd bet -- a bit stinky.) The Farmington Bay side is dry; so dry that I don't see water until I'm within probably 1.5 miles of the island. (The causeway is about 14 miles long.)

I don't see any ducks or shorebirds near the causeway - just gulls.

When I arrive on the island, I head directly south towards the Ranch.

I quickly see a lone bison along the shoreline within the 1st 1/2 mile turning. And then another near the road.

I stop at the 1st viewpoint, no animals. I continue down the hill and see 2 bison in the distance on the east side of the road. Just a bit farther down the road, there's another bison grazing right next to the road. Conveniently, there's a pull-off to the left about 30 feet from the bison. I'm thinking he'll cross the road but nope he continues grazing and north. When he's about parallel to my car, he decides to give his head a good scratch in the sagebrush. Head plows through the sagebrush to the left, head plows to the right and repeat several times.

Definitely must feel good!

Feels so good he takes a poop, farts and continues to graze. Wonderful!

On that note, it's time to move on past Frary Peak to the next pull-off. I'm not seeing anything and I'm about to pull away when I spot the big ears of a mule deer in front of me down in the grasses. It's a solo doe. No wait, I seeing something small hopping through the grasses -  it's a fawn! Awesome! I take several photos hoping to get lucky.... and I do!!!!!

I continue on noticing that there's a tint of yellow in the landscape probably from the blooming Moth Mullein. It is a weed and considered invasive in many parts of the US but it does brighten things up.

Continuing on and past the Frary Homestead, I see another solo Mule Deer doe to my left. Before continuing on, I look to my right and I get a quick glimpse of a Pronghorn moving the way from the edge of a big hill.

I continue on still looking for the big Mom/baby bison herd but I reach the Ranch without seeing them. Looking down the dirt road towards the Sentry Trail, no bison. Looks like they've moved on to parts unknown.

I turn around at the Ranch and head north.

On my return, in a meadow north of Frary Peak, I see a male Pronghorn.

When I reach the north end of the island, I cross over to the west and down to the White Rock parking. No animals in sight along the way and no animals in view along the trail. (And no cars in the parking lot either.)

It's still in the 50s with a strong north wind and sun - good hiking weather.

Along the trail, I see lots of Mullein and many of those pink flowers that I forgot the name.

(I did stop at the Visitor's Center on the way out and they are Antelope Island Skeletonplants). Native forbs found in Utah, Idaho and Nevada.

Not much happening along the trail this morning - no animals, no beetles, no lizards,.... Just me and the wind.

As I near White Rock meadow, I see two Chukkars.

Then it's up to the bench overlooking White Rock meadow and there's no animals down there. :(

I continue down to the White Rock ridge and find a spot of those biting gnats that ignored the memo saying we've had our string of 90 degree day, go away now! Thankfully, it was only along the ridge but I take some souvenirs on my face.

Along the inside of the trail, there are lots of little grasshoppers hopping around. Also seeing Robber Flies, a predator insect.

And small lizards.

But no mammals.

All the orange Globe Mallows and Sego Lilies from 2 weeks ago are gone.

As I near the end of the inside loop section, I see my first dragonfly of the day. Larger one probably a Darner. He's flying and starting to hovering near some mullein. I'm hoping he lands. But than this Robber Fly flies right at him and whack, the dragonfly immediately drops to the ground. Wow! I see the dragonfly's wings flap and his tail lifts several times before the Robber Fly sucks the life out of him. Amazing nature - predator/prey!!

I continue along. There are many more lizards now and of the larger variety.

Then it's time to turn north and back to my car. I do see a couple more of those large dragonflies as I close in on my car. And amazingly, 2.5 hours later, there's only one other car parked. Plus, a Horned Lark singing by my car.

As I head out to the main road, I stop for 4 Pronghorn that just crossed the road. Oh wait, there's a 5th crossing now. All females and no babies. :(

They move off toward Bison Point.

I see 2 others on the right side of the road - one standing and one laying. I wonder where the young ones are.

I continue up the road and turn right towards the Ranger Station and spot 2 more Pronghorn in the distance.

Then I head up to the viewpoint on the way up to Bison Point; it should give me a good view of all the Pronghorn.

When I arrive, there's 4 more Pronghorn that I hadn't seen. That makes a total of 13 Pronghorn!! But no babies.

I see something on a rock not far from the Pronghorn. It's Burrowing Owl!! (That's different from the one behind the Visitor's Center.)

I decide to watch the Pronghorn for awhile. And that was a great idea because  2 of those Pronghorn stand and they are babies - twins!!! I sit and watch!!! Incredible!!

After 15-20 minutes, I decide to move on and see if that Burrowing Owl I've seen previously is still behind the Visitor's Center. I get there and see 2 bison in the distance. Rolling slowly along the road to the spot I last saw him and .... there he is!

And he has a mate!!

She disappears periodically. I'm hoping it's to check out her chicks.

Awesome day!

June 8 - Mormon Trail (and a quick stop at Lambs Canyon)

Got my 40 hours in early today so I set off to walk the Mormon Trail. I know it's only been 5 days since I've last been there but it's Butterfly season and things changes weekly.

Sunny day with highs near 90 today.

I arrive around 11am - sunny skies with temps in the mid-70s.

As I exit the mucky woods to the actual trail, there are more daisies in bloom and flying around them are 2 Pale Crescents! (New for this season.)

While photographing them, I find out that my camera battery is flashing low battery at me. Oops! I'll have to milk that little power on new (or interesting) things. Means I'll have to be even more stealth to get some IDs.

Continuing on, the lupine and clover are starting to blooming as are these red flowers.

Back to butterflies, I see Two-tailed, Western and Pale Swallowtails. Lots of Rocky Mt Duskywings still flying although their numbers seem a little lower than last time. I see one Sleepy Duskywing and a Northern Cloudywing.

Tons of Ringlets bouncing a bout.

For the Blues, seeing Spring Azures, Western Tailed Blues and Boisduvals Blue (including a mated pair).

Also seeing a few Orangetips, Large Marbles, Checkered Skippers, a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and my Reflict Frit. Definitely more Weidemeyers Admiral today. A little scat brings them together.

Juba Skippers are also more prevalent today and the Mourning Cloaks are still numerous past the pond/camp to the 2 mile mark.

What's really noticeable today is the amount of small orange flyers that are out. Besides the Pale Crescent, there's Northern Crescents, Field Crescents and Northern Checkerspots (also new for the season)!

So what else is new for the season? At the pond, I find my 1st Copper (a Purplish Copper) of the year

and one of my favorites, the Clodius Parnassian.

I add a couple new Blues for the season: an Acmon Blue (I've never seen this species here over 5 seasons. Very cool!)

and Dotted Blue (Ancilla).

(I only see one each of the Acmon and Dotted. Hopefully, more to come.)

There are definitely more Dragonflies (Dot-tailed Whiteface - I think) flying and mating.

I stop at the muddy spots on the opposite side of the dam. Lots more activity here today than last time. There are Blues, Northern Checkerspots, a Mourning Cloak in a moose tracks and tons of Crescents!!!! They are everywhere I turn having little parties.

A couple of Blue parties as well.

It's at that mud spot that my battery runs out - shoot! But I think it's time to try the back-up, my cell phone. The zoom isn't nearly as good but it could just work.

But I can freely take photos now - just some bugs on flowers.

I continue on to the 2 mile mark before turning around and heading back. I stop at that mud pit, just looking for new things and that's when I find the Milbert's.

Past the camp, I stop at the little creek and see a Blue. It looks different and I do believe that's an Arrowhead Blue!!! It's the first time I've ever seen one here! Actually, probably in Utah as well!!

(A bit grainy... if I had only charged my batteries... but at least, I had my camera phone!)

On the way back, I watch a thin tan snake cross the trail a few feet in front of me.

Awesome visit!

To continue my search for butterflies, I stop at the Lambs Canyon parking. The number of butterflies is much lower than last time but that could be due to the fact the sun is lower as it's 2:30pm. But from the drive and searching around, I find Two-tailed and Western Swallowtails, Western Tailed Blues, Rocky Mt Duskywings, Sleepy Duskywings, Field Crescents, Northern Checkerspots, and Northern Crescents. I also get up close with 2 Anise Swallowtails

Weidemeyers Admiral and a Dotted Blue (Ancilla) and finally a Mustard White (first of the year).

Nice way to end my day.

June 3 - Mormon Trail (finally) with a short Lambs Canyon visit

Clear skies with sunny skies predicted with temperatures in the mid-80s in the valley. Heading up to the Mormon Trail to finally do some butterflying. I've been shut out of the trail in recent weeks because the connector trail from the parking lot to the actual trail has been flooded - for some reason (probably a beaver) the creek flowed. Today, I have my waterproof boots so I'm getting through.

I arrive just after 10 am. Sunny with temperatures around 62 degrees. I cross the bridge and wow, the water has gone down a lot. Now the trail is just variable degrees of muddy. I'm not even sure than I'm on the trail I've walked the last 5 years because it looks so different but I end up at the actual trail so all is well.

The landscape is still green with the dominant flower being the Dandelion. But there purple daisies, yellow cinquefoil and strawberries starting to bloom, a few Wild Hyancinths, Death Camas, Balsamroot, Bluebells and Geraniums (both pink and white).

The lupine have buds and will be blooming soon. And I can't forget the numerous Wild Cherry that is in bloom (or near bloom) - beautiful!!

The plant find of the day is a large Green Gentian!!

Strange to hear no creek and rock hop over a flooded trail - I missed that this year.

But I quickly find one of my favorite butterflies -- the Relict Fritillary!

She's on-time once again this year -- always flying the first week of June.

Also flying are Western Tailed Blues and Boisduvals Blue (many more BB than WTB).

On the way to the Mormon Camp, I see 4 Swallowtail species (Pale, Anixe, Western, and 2-Tailed), Large Marble, Orangetips, Northern Crescent

Rocky Mt Duskywing, Dreamy Duskywing

Northern Cloudywing

Field Crescents and Common Checkered Skippers

a Milbert's Tortoiseshll and many, many Common Ringlets bouncing around the landscape.

I also consider Summer season started as I see one Weidenmeyer's Admiral!

I reach the meadow and head over to the pond.

There I see dragonflies flying.

I head past the pond and dam stopping behind the dam to look at the muddy areas. Lots of Blues and Duskywings today.

I continue on to the 2 mile mark before deciding to turn around - I'll go farther next time. Just before I get to that stop, I see my 1st Mourning Cloaks of the day. In one 20 foot section, I see five of them basking. All very fresh looking.

On the way back, I meet my trail friend "Santa" and his dog. We talk butterflies and "stuff" before he takes off on his bike again.

On the way back thru the muddy connector trail, I see that Beaver's dam that was causing the flooding.

Nice walk and good to be back.

On the way home, I decide take a quick detour up Lambs Canyon as the road is finally open!!!! With all the people I've seen over the last few weeks walking the road, I'm not expecting an open parking spot but I'm to surprised to find several. Good for me!

I head out to search the muddy areas near the parking lot. Still seeing 2-tailed Swallowtails and Western Tailed Swallowtails, Orangetips, Large Marbles, Spring Azure, Western Tailed Blue, Mourning Cloaks, Rocky Mt and Sleepy Duskywings, Juba Skipper, Field Crescent and one Two Banded Skipper. But new for the day are Northern Crescents, Common Ringlets, Northern Checkerspot

Dreamy Duskywing

and a Green Comma.

Great little stop and awesome butterfly day!

June 1 - Corner Canyon

Partly cloudy morning as the clouds from last night cold front are still hanging around. The front has dropped temperatures from near 90 degrees yesterday to maybe 70 degrees today. Love it!

Heading to Corner Canyon today to hike the loop to Ghost Falls and then back via the Clark Trail. In total, the hike is around 3.8 miles and about 836 feet in elevation. I have been on this hike twice before (probably every 2 years) but usually in April when it's still muddy in spots. But today, I'm sure that it'll be much drier. But it's time to go look.

The trail starts in the valley in the town of Draper (south end of the valley). It starts in a neighborhood near a Mormon temple with some of the biggest houses that I've ever seen.

When I arrive, it's in the 60s and very windy (20mph). I'm in the sun but there are many clouds around (and back where I live to the north, dark clouds).

Most of the trail will be through a oak/maple forest winding it's way uphill to Ghost Falls and for me, even higher. Parts of the trail are in the open - dry/sagebrush/etc. There are many trails to available. Most trails are multi-use hiker/biker trails but there are a few for bikers only and one (the one I'll return one) in which bikers can go only uphill - so much nicer to see them slowly coming.

I start on the Canyon Hollow Trail past the Silica Pit. When I reach the Ghost Falls Trail, I veer off (the Canyon Hollow Trail continues up). I immediate cross a bridge with a small creek barely flowing. Seeing lots of Wild Onion with tiny pink flowers through the woods. Definitely the dominant flowering plant at this points.

I'm also seeing Salisfy, Woodland Star, a few Flax and Forget-me-knots. I also find on pretty orange flowering plant - Collomia.

And one of my favorites Bordiaea douglasii (or Wild Hyacinth - a sagebrush lily)

I also find the fuzzy seed puffs of a vetch which I find surprising as I was expecting pods.

I only see a couple butterflies at the edges of the woods and open area. They are pretty worn and they look like Sleepy Duskywing.

There one final open stretch before entering the woods and reaching Ghost Falls. Well, it's not too impressive. As the water is low and the falls is covered in green leaves. I go up a short trail where I can actually see the water running over the rocks (i.e., the falls).

Time to continue up to the top (which is a picnic area). Again, woods and open spaces. I finally reach the destination (a picnic area near the "top")

Here there are Lupine, Phlox and some Vetch in bloom.

I also find some butterflies namely several Field Crescents

and a Silvery Blue.

I still have some additional uphill but its all on an access road now. Along the way I see a couple of Juba Skippers and a mix of Western Tiger Swallowtails and Two Tailed Swallowtails.

I reach the high point of the trip with a great spanning view of the valley from a Draper perspective and it's so clear I can see Frary Peak on Antelope Island.

Time to head down on the Clark's Trail and back into mostly trees. But before I enter the trees, I see many Death Camas (I think) scattered among the sagebrush.

And one last view of Lone Peak.

On the way down, still seeing an occasional Field Crescent along the way. But also seeing several "fresher" Rocky Mt Duskywing.

I'm also see a few cicadas - first ones for me in Utah!!

Not a bad view back up the canyon.
 

Nice day!