July 15, 2023 – Trip Leader: David James

About a dozen butterfliers joined me on a sunny July Saturday for this first-time field trip to three locations spanning 2,000 ft elevation along First Creek off Reecer Creek Road, near Ellensburg, WA. All three locations had an abundance of flowers and butterflies and we ended up seeing 36 species, an excellent total for a single day. The mid-elevation (5000 ft) site was the most productive in terms of species and numbers of butterflies largely because of a large area of wet mud alongside the creek which was full of butterflies sipping for salt and minerals. The upper elevation (6000 ft) site also had a mudding area with plenty of action. Highlights of the day included immaculate newly-eclosed Hoary Anglewings and an abundance of Snowberry and Anicia checkerspots. Four greater Fritillaries (Coronis, Callippe, Northwestern, Hydaspe) also graced our day with their presence

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