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Near the end of their life cycle, a large group of these butterflies were motionless and seemingly resting/floating. They make a single flight in late summer. Gambel's oak (leaves not present above) represent apparently an important food source for this butterfly.The undersides were not seen, but the butterfly appears to be a good match for Hypaurotis crysalus.The white flower that one of the butterfly's antennae is traversing and the structure below that at the end appears to be long to a species of Stuckenia (syn. Potamogeton), i.e. pondweed) along with some of the drifting white floral parts. It seems to be mostly covered by filamentous algae obscuring details of the stem/leaves.September 11, 2015, Millcreek Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah, elev. 6040 ft.
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There were so many at this location that they might look like they are swimming in this picture, but they were motionless and floating on this still pond after probably having just finished their single flight.The undersides were not visible, so absent fishing one of them out of the water, their identity initially wasn't clear, but they appear to be Colorado hairstreaks, Hypaurotis crysalus. Gambel's oak (leaves not present above) represent apparently an important food source for this butterfly.Note the dragonfly at upper left. It is because of the green algae and other aquatic plants that provides a vital food source for so many other creatures. This picture also shows an algal bloom, but this is an example of something that is good/healthy as opposed to the cyanobacterial (so-called "blue algae" but not really an algae) blooms fueled by pollutants. A submerged aquatic present here is one of more species of pondweed, Stuckenia sp. (syn. Potamogeton) one of which might be S. pectinata (syn. P. pectinatus.) Some of the drifting white floral parts that have risen to the top and become separated may also belong to that species. S. filiformis is another possibility.September 11, 2015, Millcreek Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah, elev. 6040 ft.
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This was an amazing assortment of life and shows why wet places are so important.The blue butterflies are Colorado Hairstreaks (Hypaurotis crysalus). The cattail leaves belong to Typha domingensis. Dogwood leaves (Cornus sp.) are also present, along with several other species.We often hear about how removing clutter in photography is often important. And that can be certainly true; but "clutter" is what this picture is all about.Picture also shows a green algae bloom; but not all algal blooms are bad. The algae and aquatic plants has attracted this diversity of life.September 11, 2015, Millcreek Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah, elev. 6040 ft.
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Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
