June 11 - Mormon Trail

 Cold but sunny morning when I arrive at the Mormon Trail just after 9am - 47 degrees. It's warming up into the low 80s in Salt Lake (probably mid-70s here) so I'm hoping the butterflies will have awoken on my return. Planning 2 miles in-n-back.

Quiet on the way in. Did see a Chipmunk!


I do find a couple of Ringlets

and Blues (Boisduvals 

and Western Tailed)

a Relict Frit

and something that looked like a Greater Frit on my way to the meadow/camp.

And some dragonflies!!


Death Camas is in bloom now too!

And another of my favorite flowers

Things start to perk up as I reach the meadow finding Field Crescents, 

Northern Crescents, 

Common Checkered Skippers, 

and a Purplish Copper at the pond.

But things really heat up post-meadow. Lots of Relict Frits and Ringlets. Over 30 of each species seen. And I've never seen so many Relicts. In one area alone, I had 6 Frits in my field of vision. It was so amazing!!

Also seen were N. Cloudywing, Rocky Mt Duskywing, Mustard Whites, a Large Marble,

 

2 female Orangetips, 

3 Brown Elfins, 

a couple of Juba Skipper and 3 Weidenmeyer Admirals.

Oh, I can't forget the Two-tails and Western Tiger Swallowtails that were flying.

And the Clodius Parnassian.

And Northern Checkerspots all bright, fresh and orange.

And finally, a Afranius Duskwing on the last stretch to the end of the trail. A bit of a surprise but I have seen them here before.



Definitely hopping today as to the last time I was here.

Incredible day!

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