August 26, 2024

This season’s challenging weather unfortunately resulted in the cancellation or postponement of WBA’s late summer field trips. The Crystal Mountain trip was postponed until Aug. 26, and fortunately the day was spectacular. A gondola carried our group up 2,500 ft. to an elevation of 6,800 ft. and an in-your-face view of Mt. Rainier and subalpine flowers. It was 54° upon arrival and breezy, but a few hardy species were flying. Soon the sun warmed the area, and butterflies emerged in good numbers. Pearly Everlasting and Cascade Aster were the primary nectar sources. We had an enthusiastic group, with several excellent netters allowing us a closer view of species in jars before releasing them again. Eleven species were seen with Coronis Fritillaries being the most abundant along the trail. They were loading up on nectar for their flight back to the shrub steppe and egg laying. Hydaspe Fritillaries were also present. Their unsilvered ventral spots clearly distinguished them from the silvered spots of Coronis for everyone.

And just before returning to the parking lot, we saw several Mormon Fritillaries. Also seen were Clodius Parnassian, Western White, Blue Copper, Gray Hairstreak, a very worn Boisduval’s Blue, Anna’s Blue, California Tortoiseshell and a friendly Milbert’s Tortoiseshell. Pika whistles were heard, and a ground squirrel delighted everyone as he nibbled leaves along the trail. We were a butterfly-satisfied group as the gondola carried us back to the parking lot, and we all headed for home. Oh yes, not to be forgotten was the ice cream stop made by a few of us in Greenwater.

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