Study weekend provides opportunities for friends living at a distance to see each other while enjoying butterflying at its best. As Sunday morning came to a close, some departed early to head home and in saying goodbye a few of us missed the caravan to the next stop. While heading up the road we anticipated finding the group, we found a WBA member that missed the morning start and was butterflying solo. Instead of wandering further looking for the group, we drove to Bunchgrass Meadow, our afternoon destination.

The gravel road conditions were good and we made it to the meadow about 1:30. Upon arrival we first put out an abandoned, smoldering campfire and then headed down the uneven moose trodden trail into one of the flowery fingers of the meadow. Fritillaries were a highlight, seeing Atlantis, Northwestern (probable), Hydaspe, Mormon, Great Spangled, Silver Bordered, and Western Meadow (first of the weekend) Fritillaries. Dave Nunnallee mentioned that this meadow was the first location in the state where Atlantis Fritillary was documented. The colony seemed to be doing well; the most abundant species we saw that afternoon.

Time was spent contemplating Sulphurs, identifying Eriphyle (aka smudge for those in attendance), Orange, and Pink-Edge. A few Northern Blues (first of the weekend), Sylvan Hairstreak, and Mariposa and Blue Copper were seen along the roadside. Woodland Skippers, Lorquin’s Admiral, Northern Checkerspot and Mylitta Crescent were seen enroute.

Not to be missed was the Western Bumblebee at the meadow and another along the roadside. Western Bumblebees are not readily seen throughout the state. We documented 4 on our weekend in the Selkirks. The local Forest Service Wildlife Biologist was thrilled to have photos and the specific locations. Thanks to Chris Loggers for putting us in touch.

While no official Monday field trip was planned, three of us and our 4-legged companion hiked from Pass Creek Pass to Grassy Top at ~ 6150’. Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Purplish and Mariposa Copper, Field Crescent, Dark Wood Nymph and Lorquin’s Admiral crossed our path lower on the trail. Eriogonum her- acleoides was interspersed amongst the lower lush grassy slopes which progressed to Scoulers woolyweed (Hieracium scouleri) and Asters, where Orange and Christina’s Sulphurs flew by with occasional nectaring Northern Blues, Painted Ladies and Dark Wood Nymphs. At the not so grassy top, Hydaspe Fritillaries dominated the scene with more Blue Coppers and Northern Blues nectaring on asters. Clodius Parnassian, first for the weekend, was seen as we sat down for lunch. One added sighting was an arctic blue that 3 of us saw with binoculars; it’s a species I see every year on our local field trips but come to find out there’s not a record for Pend Oreille County. The host plant, Saxifraga austromontana, is found growing nearby which highly suggests that is what we saw.

Looks like next year we will have to make another trip to NE WA to see about taking a photo of that blue.

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