The 2021 Utah Adventure

 Sunny day with highs in the 90s. Heading up Big Cottonwood to hike up to Catherine Lake and if I feel adventurous, Catherine's Pass and above. I arrive between 6:30-7am and there's already a decent crowd parked but I don't see many on the trail that's in front of  me. The trail is still in the morning shade and it's only in the 50s - perfect for uphill hiking. I gear up and head up. Lots of green but only a few Geraniums, Starwberries, Lupine, Horsemint, Bluebells, Cinquefoil, MeadowRue in bloom on the slopes. In the wetter areas, there are buttercups in bloom. No moose or deer on the uphill. :( I soon reach the Dog Lake turn-off - maybe on the way down. I cross the footbridge, plenty of water here, then it's up to the Dam and finally Lake Mary.  I search the shores for moose but find none.  Despite the number of cars, there's only a few people at the Lake.  After a quick look, I continue on to Lake Martha enjoying the views along the way. No moose at the L...

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-80s forecast. But we had rain yesterday (yea!!) and it's still cloudy and cool, I'm not sure when the clouds will burn off in the mountains, so I'm heading to Antelope Island. Yes, I'm going there and I'm hoping the biting gnats are gone; they should be by now since we've been above 90 degrees for weeks now. Fingers crossed. As I head up, I run into a bit of rain showers as I close in on Antelope Drive. I arrive at the gate just after 7am and start across. It's so very dry - very sad. But the areas with water are full of shore birds which is awesome!! I reach the island and head towards the Ranch. Surprised not to see any lone male bison this morning near the Visitor's Center. I'm sure the extreme drought and super hot temperature has a role in that. I check on the Burrowing Owls after the 1st pull-off; yes, I see 2 of them! The next critter is a pheasant in the usual spot across from Frary Peak. A little farther down...

 Sunny day with highs near 100 degrees. Heading up to hike the Mormon Trail today; thinking about going 3 miles to see if there are any muddy spots left. On the drive down the dirt road to the trailhead, I see a single Sandhill Crane. When I arrive at the parking lot, it's 54 degrees. Perhaps a little cool for flyers but that will change as the sun gets higher. The main trail is still flooded so up the hill I go again. Pretty quiet on the way to the camp. Not surprising because of the temperature and the fact that most of the walk is in the shade. But I do see a Boisduval Blue, 2 Northern Crescent and Swallowtails. Salisfy, Tall Jacob's Ladder and Mountain Hollyhock are some of the new flowers blooming. Lots of Weidemeyer's Admirals today. In one muddy spot that still hanging on, I count 20 of them.   Plenty of Northern Checkerspots in the same spot including one odd looking N. Checkerspot that had me thinking it might be a different species...nope.  Surprise, 2 Mourning ...

 Cool day - only 92 degrees and full sun. Time to take off after work for a hike at Willow Lake - haven't done that in over a year. Drive is pretty easy, not many people heading up -- strange. Even the Mill D trailheads are relatively empty and losing people fast. I don't understand, but I like. I arrive at the Willow Lake trail and there's only 1 car there - wow! I head up the trail and when I get to the split, I head right. Lots of bluebells blooming, as well Tall Jacob's Ladder, Gernaniums, Horsemint etc. Looks nice but very dry so not looking spectular. I see a few Blues, at least some are Western Tailed.  There's also a Duskywing that I can't seem to catch up with. Oh, and the Parnassians! I arrive at the meadow; the pond is empty already. :( But there's a WTB sitting. The ground squirrels are out and chirping up a storm. I make my way back to Willow Lake. Lake is low (no surprise) but plenty of water.  There are Mallards on the lake and little blue dam...

 Another 100 degree day predicted so I'm heading out early to hike up to Twin Lakes Pass. I arrive before 7am. It's 59 degrees and cloudy. The clouds are fine with me though if they stick around, there will be no butterflies :( I stop at the bathroom and as I'm coming out, a lady calls me over to see a deer (doe) that's on the edge of the parking lot. Pretty cool! I head around the boardwalk and stop as I cross the foot bridge. Lots of mossy gunk on the water :( But I see the beaver! He's swimming near the grasses on the left side and moving away - I see his head and his wake. I try to catch up but he's on mission. (I point out the beaver to 2 guys looking at the lake.) Then it's onto the Lake Solitude Trail. There's a few more flowers in bloom - yellow violets, larkspur, White Columbine Along the water, I see a buck grazing a couple feet off the trail.  Then there is a doe,  followed by another buck and lastly (not far from the buck) 2 more doe. Good da...