DMXA - Frigid Air (4/21/01)

[Mark Walker]

When Dave and I woke on Saturday morning, 4/21/01, the rain was already
coming down.  We looked to the west, and decided it was worth trying to
drive past the storm.  We traveled on old route 66, a scenic highway still,
and Dave thoroughly enjoyed the bizarre landscape.  By the time we got to
Morongo, the wind was howling and the temps were well below 60 degrees.  The
sun was actually trying to peek it's way through the clouds, and so I
decided to take Dave to Rock Corral at the edge of the San Bernardino
Mountains.  I figured I'd at least show him what great butterfly habitat
looks like - even if there were no bugs on the wing.

Before heading into the canyon, it was obvious that we were going to have to
wear multiple layers.  The wind was blowing cold, and you could just make
out the snow falling in the mountains just above us (the snow level was
below 4000 ft.).  We were shocked, if not surprised, to see many Vanessa
cardui enduring the gusty conditions.  These bugs are insane - too busy
trying to get to nowhere to know better than to come in out of the rain.

After spending an hour or so here, Dave and I were astounded to find both
Chlosyne californica and Chlosyne acastus neumoegeni also nectaring in the
miserable conditions.  Dave was so stoked that he had me take a picture of
him swinging his net with a hooded jacket on.  We were both amazed that
there could be lepping done on such a frigid day.

We drove on down to Palm Springs to mostly sunny skies.  In Whitewater
canyon the temps were in the 60's - much warmer than the high desert.
Nevertheless, we saw not a single butterfly on the wing there.  The snow
that was accumulating on San Jacinto peak was worth watching, however.

We were hoping for a change in the weather, and the forecast was starting to
shape up.  Perhaps on Sunday we would enjoy clear skies.  Unfortunately, the
temperatures were not predicted to be above 70 degrees for several days.

Mark Walker.

 
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