Sunday, August 23, 2020

Aug 23 - Mormon Trail

Partly cloudy (maybe smokey) with highs in the upper 90s yet again.

Didn't feel like heading to the mountains (and crowds) this morning so I decide to walk the first 2 miles of the Mormon trail again to see what's still flying and generally moving around this morning.

Cloudy morning but temperatures around 65 when I arrive around 8:30. This definitely a sun up there hopefully I'll see it today.

I head off through the dense wooded area and surprised a find a very wet area. Guess it's just the beavers backing up more water :(

But on the other side of the wooded area, it's still very dry and blooms are getting scarce in sections. But the asters and a yellow composite and white yarrow are still decently common depending on where you area. I do still find a few Geraniums surviving.

And despite majority of the Salisfy are big puffs balls

I do find a couple just starting to bloom.

Surprisingly despite the lack of sun, I do find a old beaten Great Spangled male and several females on my way to the pond. (5+ in total and all females except the 1.)

Male

Female

By the time I reach the pond, the sun is out and I start seeing Woodland Skippers.

I also witness a large hawk fly overhead and land in a tree. This could be the one I saw early this year.

When he finally takes off again, he makes loud squawking sounds. Awesome!

Once past, I start seeing Colorado Hairstreaks (I see 6+ total). Such a beautiful bug and so glad I got this experience this season.

Male

Female

I also find a Small Wood Nymph

and one Common Checkered Skipper before reaching the 2 mile mark.

On the return, the sun disappears but I do manage to see one Field Crescent 



and a Weidemeyers Admiral on my return.

Oh,  can't forget the 2 Hummingbirds that buzz by along my way.

Great day!

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