07.03
Sherman Pass, July 3rd 2008
A big day full of thrills and spills began at 4am as I left Los Angeles for Sherman Pass. I had been unable to attend the official NABA outings but was determined to get a piece of the action. I arrived atop Bald Mountain at 10am with the intention of photographing the Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra phyllisae) that had eluded me last year. Just like before I got a glimpse shortly after arriving but it was too fast. I spent the next 90 minutes risking life and limb on the north avalanche slope, negotiating each step with great care. The loose shards and slabs of rock sounded like broken glass under foot and every movement required a backup plan. It was inevitable I would eventually slip and my instinct to reach out for the nearest branch resulted in a handful of thorns which produced a second reflex with even worse results. Bummer. Each step down required several well planned steps to regain elevation. At 9300 ft my heart was pounding by the time I reached solid ground. Next year I thought.
Edith’s Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha)
I consoled myself with some decent images of Euphydryas editha which was a new addition to my digital collection. Then on my way down Sherman Pass I spotted Ken Davenport’s truck and pulled over to say hello. “I’ve been up Bald Mountain trying to get a shot of the Indra,” I said and Ken replied, “Ahhh wasting your time on the million dollar bug!” I laughed and mentioned something about feeling a little out of breath up there and Ken deadpanned, “That’s funny I’ve never had that problem.” That should have been a warning and indeed I recalled 3 grueling days with Ken in Arizona last August. I described him afterwards as “a Lepping machine”. Still there was no way I was going to refuse his offer to tag along this day, as he worked these mountains he has known for decades. This is Ken’s turf and as his many fans in the NABA field trips discovered, he does not need binoculars!
Ken Davenport – (Lepidopterist zenmasterii)
Working down from 9000 ft to 6700 ft at several locations I photographed 18 species including 13 new additions to my collection. Each location was very active and I could barely keep up. Ken called out species names constantly as I spun around trying to get the shot. I took 547 pictures and by about 5pm I was running out of steam. I suggested a burger and coke might be in order and was able to talk Ken into calling it a day. It had been a great adventure…
Although Ken called out the names when he was close by I was unable to take notes, and therefore take full responsibility for any bogus IDs.
The species photographed include:
Bald Mountain – 9300 ft.
Anise Swallowtail - Papilio zelicaon
Pale Swallowtail – Papilio eurymedon
Northern Checkerspot – Chlosyne palla
Edith’s Checkerspot - Euphydryas editha
Common Branded Skipper – Hesperia comma
Sherman Pass – 8000 – 9000 ft.
Clodius Parnassian – Parnassius clodius
Large Marble – Euchloe ausonides
Orange Sulphur – Colias eurytheme
Arctic Blue – Agriades glandon
Boisduval’s Blue – Plebejus icarioides
Purplish Copper – Lycaena helloides
Thicket Hairstreak – Callophrys spinetorum
Zerene Fritillary – Speyeria zerene
California Tortoiseshell – Nymphalis californica
Mourning Cloak – Nymphalis antiopa
Lorquin’s Admiral – Limenitis lorquini
Mexican Cloudywing – Thorybes mexicana
Persius Duskywing – Erynnis persius
Silver-spotted Skipper – Epargyreus clarus
This Artic Blue (Agriades glandon) was one of many in a wet meadow on Sherman Pass.
This female Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides) was an interesting sight at this location. I saw it first!
It’s not called a “Wet Meadow” for nothing. Solid ground is an illusion and can swallow up the occasional left foot.
Mormon Fritillary (Speyeria mormonia)…originally labelled as Zerene but Ken corrected me.
This was a highlight for me. The Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius) is an exotic creature and this one is in mint condition. There were many flying in the forest at this location but they were extremely hard to reach. It took me over an hour to get this one shot. The location is top secret so no GPS links for this one!
Boisduval’s Blue (Plebejus icarioides)
Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)
Common Branded Skipper (Hesperia comma) – I don’t often photograph Skippers as they usually skip away before I can get the shot. 
Last but not least, you have to give this little guy some respect. No hindwings and not much left of the forewings but this checkerspot is a survivor. 