Sunny morning. As I drive down the dirt road to the trailhead, I see 2 Sandhill cranes flying and heading south. Not a bad start.
The parking lot has only car so the trail is all mine today!!!
As I start the trail I see a little orange skipper - a Woodland Skipper; one of many, many today.
These butterflies are late season flyers; yes, summer is ending in the mountains soon.
As I was watching, a hummingbird flew up (about 3 feet from me) and hovered by my head before flying off into the trees. (I was wearing tan and blue, I definitely don't look like a flower.)
I haven't seen a Mourning Cloak in long time; today I see two within feet of each other. Perhaps they both just emerged from their pupas today. They are fresh and gorgeous.
The Clover that was dominant a month ago is pretty well bloomed out. The lupine are going to seed. The goldenrod and other yellow composites are in bloom. And lots of purple asters. (Typical fall colors, yellow and purple.) The mint is also in bloom and attracting bflies.
I'm just walking along the curvy trail following the dry streambed and 30 feet ahead of me, a female moose crosses the trail from the right. I immediately stop -- seriously excited. The only thing between us is a few small aspen trees (i.e., not much protection). We just stare at each other.
I'm not sure what to do. Staying, I'm totally exposed. If I head back down the trail, again exposed. I turn and there's a old large cottonwood tree about 5 feet away. I back up slowly to the tree and get behind the far side. If she charges, at least we can play a little ring around the rosy. I watch from behind the right side of the tree as I want to stay covered but I have to know where she's at.
I'm pretty sure she's agitated as she's grunting and snorting and breathing heavy. It's seems like forever before she finally moves a few steps to the right and then stops when my camera automatically shut-offs (a nice electronic wind and the lens retracts -Ugh). Again, she's staring down the tree.
The calf makes the "Mew" sound again and moves right and the Mom follows. The Mom stops for a scratch with her back leg, I can hear the foot hitting herface. (Does that really feel good?!) I thought they might just head right across the little basin but no, they're moving in my directoin. So every step they take, I have to move left around the tree; still keeping a watch so she doesn't pull any tricks. Problem is, I'm in rocks so every step I take makes noise and they stop and look my direction (still only 20-30 feet away).
Finally, we've switched starting points (I'm now on the opposite side of the tree and they are slowly wandering away.) Now is my time to head up trail and quickly. I thought about stepping into the open to snap a pix or two but I'm very happy with the images and sounds in the imprinted in my brain. This is something I will NOT forget. But I don't want to take a chance and end up in tonight's news "Woman trampled by Moose" or worse, be a contender for the Darwin Awards :) But that was pretty INCREDIBLE!!!
Many Frits flying today. I see both the male and female Great Spangled Frit. Tons of White Common Checkered Skippers. And the Wood Nymphs are out - I have to figure out which ones. Lots of sulphers today -- many are nectaring and I keep scaring them up (I need to spot them nectaring so I can get a look at them.)
There are a few Mylitta Crescents, Lilac Bordered Coppers, Blue Coppers (a first for me in UT), and a Field Crescent flying with the Frits.
I see this large grey bird fly into a tree in front of me. Definitely a bird of prey. He flies as soon as I get my camera on him. I think he might be a Northern Harrier. Big bird!
A Two-tailed Swallowtail is nectaring on thistle.
Plenty of Police Car moths out but they are pretty beaten up and will be done flying soon.
In a little field opening, there are Wood Nymphs, Sulphers and a Variegated Frit flying. That's the 1st Variegated Frit that I've seen in UT.
I'm coming up to the little wet grassy area near the bench where I eat lunch. As I climb the little hill, I can see a male deer (still in velvet) entering the grassy area. He immediately hears me and turns my way. I can him stretch his neck and raise himself on his back legs to get a better view of me
and then he's off into the woods -- all I hear is a snort!
After a quick lunch, I start heading back. I see a couple of Satyr Commas and a Milbert's Tortioseshell.
When I get back to the camp pond, there are many dragonflies flying.
And many Wood Nymphs nectaring. These are Small Wood Nymphs.
I'm on the last part of the trail now and spot some more Milkweed. I go in for a closer look and find a Coral Hairstreak (my 1st in UT).
These guys look a little different than the ones in the East as they have orange spots on the upperwing and less black spots.
Unbelievable day, Sandhill Cranes, buzzed by a hummer, Mama moose encounter, great bflies, and a male deer - can't beat that!!!
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