May 18, 2025

By John Baumann, Trip Organizer

Twelve hardy, waterproof WBA members risked constantly shifting spring weather to gather from all parts of the state at Douglas Creek BLM area on May 18th for a truly joyful reunion. Though it was brightly sunny, temps were chilly, at 55 to 63, and winds gusted to 15-20 miles per hour. Adding to our hazards at this event, streams issuing from several springs above the creek seemed to block entry further into the canyon, yet, our local man on the scene, Tom Wysham, led our charge as we drove higher clearance vehicles all safely through waters 20 ft wide and perhaps 8 inches deep! At the farther reaches of the canyon, Danny Dunphy found first a single Viceroy, then Mark Schuller, a mating pair, for a new record for that locale and one of few Viceroy records for Douglas County. Fresh Two Tailed Swallowtails, Lorquin’s Admirals and Milbert’s Tortoiseshells dazzled the eye, and tiny Columbian Blues swirled over their host and nectar source, Northern Buckwheat. Alas, our many netted whites were all Cabbage Whites…In all, we recorded 12 species, adding two newbies to a growing species list for a very intriguing area, not only for butterflies, but for birds, plants and other creatures any naturalist might enjoy. I would hope we meet there again next spring!

G’num2025Vol26No3

Feature photo of Douglas Creek by Liz Kuehn