I'm out of work by 11am so I head up to Lambs Canyon. The road is still close; opening is supposed to be June 1.
So I gear up for the 1.5 mile walk up the road.
There's new flowers blooming today are Geraniums, an unknown flower
Solomon's Seals are finally blooming
Wild Lettuce (perhaps)
I also see 5 Painted Ladies, Spring Azure
and my 1st Western Tailed Blue of the year.
The mud puddles at the parking lot is pretty empty except for 2 Spring Azures and my 1st Rocky Mt Duskywing of the year.
Where are all the butterflies?
I head across the bridge and start my way up the trail. My plan is to make it to the top OR until I reach snow. I'm not crossing snow today.
The trail is dry with lots of Virgins Bowers in bloom.
I do find a Western Tailed Blue near 2 Spring Azures in a wet spot
lots of little brown moths, and a Rocky Mt Duskywing along the way. And there other single Azures (I assume) along various parts of the trail.
The trail is definitely greening up now especially on the lower sections.
Lots of Waterleaf in bloom and a few Yellow Violets.
I reach the 3rd switchback (my stopping point a week ago) and continue along.
There's less green along the way as this section was covered in snow not long ago.
Soon I reach the meadow. I have climb over two large logs to get there but when there I find Spring Beautys in bloom.
At some point I see a Comma flying and a yellow Swallowtail down in the valley below.
I skirt a little snow in a couple of spots without issues.
Then I come upon a cross over a steep gully but the trail is covered in snow. There's some footprints on the downside slope and clear trail on the other side.
I'm tempted but I said no crossing snow. So time to turn back 70 vertical feet from the top!! I'll be there next week.
Time to head down.
On the way back down the road, surprise, I find 2 Anise Swallowtails!!
And a CA Tortoiseshell.
And Baneberry or Dolls Eyes blooming
and the Cherry trees are also starting to bloom.
Great day!
No comments:
Post a Comment