Rust spores can be examined in water or Lactophenol. The latter is better to see the pores in uredospores etc, but water is better for surface ornamentation. Be sure to allow sufficient time for the spores (esp. teliospores) to inflate. It's best to gently warm the slide to accomplish this.
When counting pores, look for breaks in the spore wall (on the profile) as well as the front and back face of the spore - beware of counting the vacuole/nucleus.
Phenology
There is a general tendency for the haploid stages (pycnia and aecia) to be found in the Spring and early Summer, whle uredia and telia are mainly found in late Summer, but this is by no means the rule.