I was delighted to photograph this Weidemeyer’s Admiral butterfly two days ago while I was with April Olson high in the stunning forests of the Uinta Mountains.
Weidemeyer’s Admiral butterfly resting in the Uinta Mountains – Nikon D500, f9, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Typically I see this species starting around June in the Wasatch Mountains and in the sky island mountains of Utah’s West Desert. To see Weidemeyer’s Admiral butterflies in August in the Uinta National Forest was exciting for me.
I had turned off of Mirror Lake Scenic Byway onto a dirt road so April and I could look for birds and we found quite a few, along with butterflies and squirrels.
Adult Weidemeyer’s Admiral in the high Uinta Mountains – Nikon D500, f9, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I could not resist photographing this butterfly as it rested on a leaf in the forest. I didn’t think I’d see this species this year.
It was wonderful to share the natural beauty of the Uinta Mountains in the company of my dear friend, April. I hadn’t traveled into the Uinta Mountains since June of 2023 when I showed Steve Creek and his dog Rosie around those mountains. For April, it had been even longer since she had visited the Uinta Mountains.
It was a gorgeous day to be in the mountains, April and I savored the cooler temps, the grand views, birdsong, and more as we traveled the winding roads of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.
After I ate my lunch I took a short video of the Prove River flowing past me. I hope it relaxes all of you while viewing it. The views sure relaxed me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Weidemeyer’s Admiral Butterfly photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you. I am so glad that you both had a lovely day.
It was a lovely trip! You captured nice photos of the butterfly. Jon and I stopped going into the area about 15 years ago because it has become so crowded. We did not usually camp because I get altitude sickness, we would just go up for all day on a Sunday. It became hard to find a parking spot or picnic area, even hiking into more remote lakes was not secluded. The bumper to bumper traffic all the way home was always intense with those with slow trailers and others impatient and passing creating dangerous conditions. It was surprising to see so many people on a Tuesday, seems like the parking areas and camping spots were full. I can’t image weekends now.
April, I tend to go up to that area Tuesday through Thursday so I can avoid all the traffic you mentioned. I was surprised by how many campers were up there when we went too. There might be less campers now that school has started.
I had so much fun up there with you!
thanks so much for your amazing photos. I would love to live an area like the one you do. Seems fantastic. Very special.
Thanks so much