This year’s field trip schedule started with a whimper, a rather cold, wet whimper. And, while not exactly ending with a bang, managed a pretty good pop.

The Schnebley Coulee trip, both original and rain date, was cancelled for lousy weather, as was the Elk Heights trip in May. Our first field trip, and a winner organized by Louise Kulzer, was our joint trip to Reecer Creek with the Washington Native Plant Society and Scarabs. June 4 was the first day of wonderfully warm sunny weather, and both butterflies and participants basked with delight! Also in June, the Camas Meadows trip led by David Droppers went ahead as did the annual Chumstick Mountain butterfly count coordinated by Al Wagar. Unfortunately, the trip to Upper Manastash Ridge had to be cancelled because of unsuitable weather.

July was better. The July 9 Hairstreak Blitz with Dave Nunnallee turned out to be more of a quest than blitz. But we saw lots of butterflies, including coral hairstreaks and a Ruddy Copper, both firsts for some of us. The conference trips were great, with the foursome of John Baumann, Brenda McCracken, Carol Mack and John Stewart scouting and leading a great trip to North Baldy on Saturday with lots of butterflies and fabulous views of northern Washington and western Idaho. John Baumann took us to Hog Lake on Sunday where we saw frogs and a lovely waterfall in addition to more butterflies.

On July 19, Idie Ulsh provided a butterfly component for a mid-week trip to Hurricane Ridge, sponsored by the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society with participants also from the Washington Native Plant Society. The three groups plan another joint trip next year.

Our only August trip was planned for the Skyline Divide Trail which was still under snow, with next choice being Schreiber Meadows, again under snow. So, we went to Sauk Mountain with big snow drifts at the top but the trail up and back nicely melted out with lots of flowers.

On our final trip, September 10, to the Ellensburg Overlook, we didn’t find the hoped-for Mormon Metalmark. And some earlier scouting had shown that we’d not find much in the Snoqualmie Pass area on the way back. Instead, we went to Reecer Creek, an excellent substitute where we saw a good number of butterflies, including Hedgerow Hairstreaks. Considering how late it was in the season, this was especially good fortune.

Despite the slow start, overall it was a satisfying season. As usual, everyone learned a lot, made some friends, and had a great time.

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