May 16: Little Cottonwood Trail

It 79 degrees and cloudy. Beautiful day. Time for an after work hike on the Little Cottonwood trail. Last time I was here (a week or so), there was actually water running in the creek near the parking area; I'm pretty sure (despite the Spring Snow storm last week-end), the bottom portion of the creek will have more water in it.

I get to the parking lot and get out of my car expecting to here water and all I heard were cars driving by. I know they siphon the water out to a reserviour but that's a lot of water that disappears after one pumping station!!!

As I'm getting ready, I hear rustling in the woods. I look and can't see anything so its either lizards, birds or chipmunks and start my walk. I wasn't sure what to expect butterfly-wise as we did have a hard freeze overnight a couple of times early in the week. There weren't a lot flying (but its also 3pm - not prime-time) but they were there. Especially the Painted Ladies. I saw a lot here last time and over on the Mormon Trail and they're still having a good year! Saw fresh ones and ones that were a little beat up.

Also saw Sara Orangetips (the females are now at the bottom of the trail) and Mustard/Margined Whites. Also saw a couple of pretty fresh Rocky Mt Duskywings. And Juba Skippers and a Mylitta Crescent.

The flowering trees are now in bloom and some smell pretty wonderful. Even the bflys are enjoying them.

The lupine are just starting to bloom. As well as many other flowers including Woodland Star

 and Forget-me-nots.

As I go up, I see my 1st Anise Swallowtail on this trail. And once again, he is very cooperative for a photo -- last year, it took me a very long time to actually get a photo -- this year, nectar seems more important that fluttering about. :)

Once I get past the 1st electric/water station, the water starts flowing. Definitely, higher than last time (as I would expect). .

The Solomon's Seal is just starting to bloom. For the most part, the plants are scattered around but in this one spot, they are lined up like soldiers.

Further up the trail, the Waterleaf is in full bloom.

I make it to the last part of the trail and the stream and trail are still one. Another detour is required. I get to the end of the trail and for once I don't have it to myself. There are a lot of bikers on the trail today. I stop for a few minutes and start heading back down.

I get past the first bridge and I again hear movement alongside the trail. I look and see a snake slithering though the plants into the woods. Its a thin snake but as I'm watching him, I notice a bigger body (or its a branch). When I can't see the snake anymore, I look down and that's a big snake body (3 times as wide as the other one I was watching). I look left and see a tiny snake head. Certainly doesn't go with the body. So I move left a little more and now there's 2 heads!!

And the other is the right size for the body. Both snakes are frozen still. Three snakes in the same area -- I'm wondering if they just woke up from hibernation. And I'm wondering if its snakes that are rustling in the brush near the parking lot - hmmmm!