June 21 - Willow Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 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 damselflies flying. I find moose tracks in the mud and a Northern Cloudywing.

I work my way to the other side.

As I walk around, I see a Clouded Sulphur flying.

I enter the woods on the other side. Still, the duskywings are being cooperative. But I see some smaller Frits - probably Mormon but they are just chasing each other.

There's also a very pretty moth - it''s Northern Crescent size - but it doesn't stop.

And I see a couple of Lilac Bordered Coppers.

I loop the lake and start completing the loop. 



On the way down, I see a Orangetip. I also see what loops like a Russet Skipperling - sure wish I didn't forger my camera today.

Nice walk!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oct 17 - Antelope Island Drive

Image
Sunny day with highs in the 60s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike either the Sentry or Gravel Pit trails. I arrive just after 8am. There's more water in Farmington Bay from all the rain we've had recently. And there are still tons of birds. I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.  There a scattered Bull bison near the Visitor's Center and the road up until the first corner by the rocks. On the downside of the 1st pull-out, I see a herd of Pronghorn. Hard to see because terrain. After the Frary Peak, I run into tons of scattered herd of bison - the family herds. They are really close to road. Can hear the chewing, ripping grass and grunting.  While waiting for one of the herds, a coyote runs across the road. I try to find him as I drive by but have no luck. I continue to pass by herds of bison all the way til about a mile from the Ranch. I arrive at the Ranch and yes, there are more bison around as there's another herd north of Mushroom Springs. Darn! I...
Read more

Nov 14 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

Image
 Hazy sunshine day with highs in the 50s. I really should be heading into the mountains but I think a bit burned out there -- I just can't motivate myself to go up there. No worries,, I'll just head to Antelope Island. It's 45 degrees as I cross the causeway. The duck/shorebird population sure dropped from last week but there re still a good number of them remaining. When I reach the island, I turn south towards the Ranch. I see several bison around the Visitor's Center as normal. It isn't until I reach Beacon Hill/White Rock Ridge that I more critters -- Pronghorn, at least 20 of them. Then are moving north about mid-way up the mountain. Then it's past Frary Peak and continuing until I'm about 1.5 miles from the Ranch before I find the bison herd. A little spread out in smaller herds but there's a larger herd just crossing the road. There are Fall calves in the mix. Because of their location, I expecting to find more bison around the Sentry trail. Man a...
Read more

Sept 2 - Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

Image
Partly cloudy day with highs in the mid-80s. I take off after 2:30 arriving around 3pm. The canyon is shockingly empty - Rattlesnake Gulch, Grandeaur Peak  and Desolation Trail -- must be the Utes football opener at 5:30 tonight :) It's good for me as I part and start up the trail. As expected majority of the flowers are gone. But there are Aster, Yellow Composites and a few other yellow flowers in spots.  Vegetation is still very green though. I also find Solomon's Seal berries and Rose Hips. It's extremely quiet out - no birds, no chipmunks, no people talking -- it's awesome! Before I know, I'm at the viewpoint. Looks like rain is coming like they predicted. I stop for a bit and started back down. Good hike!
Read more