March 29 - Lambs Canyon (and a part of the trail)

Sunny day and another possible record-breaking temperature day. Antelope Island is now out of the question as I saw reports of the little biters flying so I'm heading up Lambs Canyon and portion of the trail; hoping to get to the meadow.

I arrive just before 9am and it's still in the 40s. The road is mostly in the shade but there are small portions that are in the sun.

Plants are starting to burst thru the soil as I'm seeing Geraniums, Arrowleaf and the Oregon Grape has buds now.

Quiet walk to the TH. No flyers just sounds of the creek and some early birds.

I cross the bridge and face a small amount of ice and then it's clear trail. I won't say mud but not dry either. Here I also see Geraniums and Strawberries popping up.

I see many piles of Moose scat looking fresh along the trail so I'm keeping my eyes scanning. There are also tracks (both moose and deer).

I can hear woodpeckers doing their thing. No leaves yet on the aspen. There's still snow where the creek is and a couple of very small spots on the trail.

I reach the end of the 1st switchback and head up to the next and the next. I see a few CA Tortoiseshells and a couple of Azures as I move forward.

And I find one of those Downy/Hairy Woodpecker high in an Aspen.

I don't reach the meadow this morning; I stop at switchback 4 where there are some wooden seats. This is way farther than I've reached on any 1st trip of the season so I'm happy.

Time to head down. No real increase in butterflies on the way back to the TH. I reach the TH at 11:15. Of course, the 1st stop is the mud puddles and they are loaded with Spring Azure. There are over 30 for sure.

Along with CA Tortoiseshells, a Satyr Comma and several Orangetips. The surprise is a Brown Elfin in the puddle!! I've seen them on the lower trail here but never at the puddle. 

Oh yea, 1st Anise Swallowtail of the year! 

Nice surprises! (Too bad we've got colder/more seasonal temps moving in this week with possible snow.)

I start down the road seeing more Azure, Tortoiseshells, and Orangetips.

I also see 1 Mourning Cloak and 2 Mylitta Crescent.

Downhill surprises include the 1st Painted Ladies and Rocky Mt Duskywing for the year!!

I also stop to find a bird with an unusual chirp and I'm lucky to find him. It's a Townsend's Solataire! I've seen/heard this bird once before. I was on the Broads Fork Trail just crossed the waterfall bridge and out of the forest. The chirp stopped me then too! 

Awesome day!


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