May 31, 2024

Our Swakane Canyon field trip moved instead to Yakima Canyon, visiting Ringer Loop and Umtanum Recreation Area. Sadly, Swakane Canyon is very dry this year. The canyon has dependably been a magnificent area for puddling parties with good diversity and incredible abundance. Very few moist areas were present this spring, and a ‘pool’ that regularly forms across the road further back in the canyon was bone dry.

Thanks to member Tom Wysham who scouted the area several times for us. All was not lost, however. The Yakima Canyon area is always a good place to visit. At Ringer Loop the patch of Northern Buckwheat, food plant for Columbia Blue, was in full bloom. Many were present on our visit, and we watched individuals nectar, mate, and oviposit for quite a while. Great photographic moments! At Umtanum Recreation Area we found five species of blues: Columbia, Silvery, Acmon, Boisduval’s, and Greenish.

Coronis Fritillaries were common. And a very fresh Western Tiger Swallowtail and a Juba Skipper presented themselves. Beautiful weather, good companions and, of course, butterflies made for a great trip.

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