June 4 - Butterflying near Starvation Reservoir

 Sunny day with highs near 100.

Heading out in search 2 lifer butterflies this morning. The local butterfly expert a couple of days, posted photos of the Saltbrush Sootywing and Streckers Giant Skipper. I asked him for GPS coordinates so I can have the opportunity to see them. He sent me a GPS Coordinates, directions and a map for a location just west of Starvation Reservoir. He also told me to get there soon as the Sootywing has been on-wing for 2 weeks so they are fading. The Giant Skipper males are the only ones flying and searching for females so I should be able to find them.

I leave around 7:30; the drive is about 2 hours.

I've never been east before so this should be a fun drive.

I arrive at my turn-off (28000W) off Hwy 40 and follow the instructions. My plan is to go to the Sootywing site first but I'm confused and end up on a gravel road for several miles and no Country 22 sign -- this can't be right so I head back to the first site. No butterflies, but yucca (it's host plant) 

and some blooming pink 

and yellow cactcus.

Onward to the 2nd site. I walk around and can't find anything at the 1st sighting peg. I head a little down the road and check there. There's yucca here so I wander. Soon, I kick up a Giant Skipper (yea!) and he lands and I get a great look!

He flies again and lands! (This is a male)

I see another one before it's time to try and find that first site again.

I'm carefully following the map and the landscape. Oh, I think I found my mistake! I should have never been on the dirt road; I missed my turn. Now I see the sign!!

I go the one mile, park and start to wander. Soon I see a Giant Skipper and he's flying in circles but he finally lands.

Hot dog!

I continue to wander looking for the Sootywing. I was told to look for little yellow flowers but having trouble finding anything but the yellow cactus flowers. I do see several more Giant Skippers and they are all flying in circles.


I reach the road and I'm ready to give up but I had back for one last look. I go back to the one non-cactus yellow flower and stand there for a while. Just as I'm about to move on, I see a little black Sootywing heading in the direction. I follow him until he lands on a tiny yellow flowers. 

He flies again to another yellow flower. 

This is repeated several times until I finally lose him. But I do manage to get a couple of photos of him!! So exciting!!

Time to go for lunch in Duchesne. On the way I pass by the reservoir - wow is it nice!


I should stop at the State Park but it's time to go! I'll be back.

Mission success!!

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