Finally some snow!!! Winter storm dropped 9inches at my house Fri night/Sat morning!! That would typically mean 20+ in the mountains but unfortunately, this was strange storm with the mountains getting only 11 inches. But everything looks so pretty!!!!
Heading out to Antelope Island this morning to enjoy the snow!! Cloudy morning with temps in the mid 20s. It is supposed to get sunny and as I drive north, there's plenty of blue sky to the north.
Unfortunately, when I reach the island, the blue hasn't arrived yet.
I head south towards the Ranch looking for critters and good snowy views. I quickly see a lone bison near the fence line. And another on a ridge. Frary Peak is looking wintery.
Then it's 2 porcupine and then another before I reach the two bison herds in their "normal" spots this winter. The herds look a bit smaller but still big.
Oops, I can't forget the one coyote I see pouncing through the grasses. When I lose him, I turn to find the mate trotting a little behind.
I lose him too but when I move forward I find the first one I saw.
Love seeing coyotes.
I reach the Ranch, turn around and head back north. On the return, I see yet another coyote trotting up a hill.
Good coyote day today!!
As I head over to the west side of the island, I see two mule deer (male/female) in the distance behind the Visitor's Center.
Arriving in the White Rock parking lot, it's still cloudy and in the 20s. I start and it's simply wonderful out!
There is a herd of bison in the distance to the east. And a single bison straight ahead on the hill. He could be a problem for me if he's near the trail but I have to climb to hill to find out.
I'm up the main part of the hill looking back north at Buffalo Point. (The blue sky is still coming but very slowly.)
I don't see that lone bison anymore so he's obviously above the trail; I'm hoping I can sneak by.
I watch above me the whole way up the switchback and I see nothing. As I'm about to turn north and shoot! There's the bison just above me and walking parallel to me. If I hadn't seen him, we'd collide up ahead. But I stop hoping the bison continues by. Unfortunately, he stops too. And we stare at each other from about 20 ft away. He showing no signs of being upset. I wait and when he doesn't move, I continue walking past the bison and then around him on the trail (whew!)
I continue along passing his buddy who is off near the fence line and no bother to me.
Now I should be good unless there are more ahead.
I see what appears to be a hawk fly by.
I continue a bit before I see a couple more bison ahead. These guys are in the rocks and away from the trail so I should be good. I round the corner and I've got problems! There's more bison ahead with them along side the trail on both sides. I stop. They are watching me.
As it stands, I can't get past them safely on the trail or off at this point. What to do, what to do? I don't want to turn around so I hold my ground hoping they will move off to the right. After a few steps ahead and some slapping of my hands, they do start moving right very slowing.
Several tails go up and they stay up so I think they are a bit upset but I wait.
Finally, all but one is on the right side of the trail so I go wide left off trail through the snow around the last bison. Seeing lots of coyote and birds tracks on my trek but I'm finally around and on the trail again (yea!).
Moving along, I soon reach the White Rock meadow -Wonderful!
The sun is peaking out now and will be full sun as the blue skies are just reaching the island!! I head south down the ridge
and start down the inner loop. I look up in time to see 4 bison running down the hill in the distance and there are hikers over there. What a scary experience as the bison run in front of 2 of the hikers and into the valley!
I continue around the inner looping
passing those 4 bison
Here's where they crossed the trail.
Another lone bison and further along, another group of 4 high on a hill.
Soon I reach that herd near the White Rock bay.
Time to head north back to the switchbacks and then to my car. That lone bison I almost ran into, well, he's on the trail now and his buddy is with him.
Awesome day!
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Jan 18 - Willow Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)
Well the Spring-like weather continues for yet another day. Not that I don't like it but when the mountains have little snow and my Daffodils (and other periennals) are already poking thru the ground in mid-January, it's just all wrong! We need the cold and we need the snow (for a couple more months anyway).
But since this is the last 50 day for a little while as rain/snow and a cold front is coming in tomorrow, I must take advantage of it. I'm heading into the mountains and up to Willow Lake. It's been months since I've been there and it'll be the first time I've even been there in the winter; it'll be fun!
The drive up the canyon is boringly brown - brown grass, brown bare trees, etc. Sure the tops of the mountains have snow but it looks more like late Fall or late Spring then mid-Winter. Things get a bit better the higher I go but even at 7900ft (my trail head), I can still see brown! And is 53 degrees - crazy! The sun is out but fighting to shine through the high (and ever thickening) clouds.
The trail is snow packed and icy as I head up the steep hill. There's snow on the ground but there are patchy open spots
And even where the snow is the deepest, the tall grasses/plants are still towering over the snow.
But it's nice, quiet walk, not even birds singing.
I'm not seeing any moose or deer tracks on the trail or in the snow -- but lots of human footprints in the snow - even a snow angel!
Soon I complete the climb and the trail flattens. Views south are the Solitude Ski resort.
The trail then turns north and before I know it I reach the meadow.
Always beautiful but missing the "true" winter vibe. Other than the snow, in spots, still has that flaky appearance.
I continue on to Willow Lake on a trail someone has cut through the aspens. I arrive at the snow covered lake hoping for a moose or deer as always but no luck today. I work my way clock-wise around the lake. The trail is not the normal trail which is covered in about 1.5 feet of snow but a man made one that crosses the outer edge of the lake. I reach the other side
and continue around
before entering the forest.
No tracks in the forest either but I do find a wooden shelter that someone has made.
I soon exit the forest and make my way back to the meadow
before heading down.
Nice day!
But since this is the last 50 day for a little while as rain/snow and a cold front is coming in tomorrow, I must take advantage of it. I'm heading into the mountains and up to Willow Lake. It's been months since I've been there and it'll be the first time I've even been there in the winter; it'll be fun!
The drive up the canyon is boringly brown - brown grass, brown bare trees, etc. Sure the tops of the mountains have snow but it looks more like late Fall or late Spring then mid-Winter. Things get a bit better the higher I go but even at 7900ft (my trail head), I can still see brown! And is 53 degrees - crazy! The sun is out but fighting to shine through the high (and ever thickening) clouds.
The trail is snow packed and icy as I head up the steep hill. There's snow on the ground but there are patchy open spots
And even where the snow is the deepest, the tall grasses/plants are still towering over the snow.
But it's nice, quiet walk, not even birds singing.
I'm not seeing any moose or deer tracks on the trail or in the snow -- but lots of human footprints in the snow - even a snow angel!
Soon I complete the climb and the trail flattens. Views south are the Solitude Ski resort.
The trail then turns north and before I know it I reach the meadow.
Always beautiful but missing the "true" winter vibe. Other than the snow, in spots, still has that flaky appearance.
I continue on to Willow Lake on a trail someone has cut through the aspens. I arrive at the snow covered lake hoping for a moose or deer as always but no luck today. I work my way clock-wise around the lake. The trail is not the normal trail which is covered in about 1.5 feet of snow but a man made one that crosses the outer edge of the lake. I reach the other side
and continue around
before entering the forest.
No tracks in the forest either but I do find a wooden shelter that someone has made.
I soon exit the forest and make my way back to the meadow
before heading down.
Nice day!
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Jan 13 - "Flying" Bighorn Sheep (Antelope Island)
There's another "Spring-like" day forecast for today - almost 50 with clear blue skies. Great day to go into the mountains or stay in the valley's clean air but to avoid the Saturday ski traffic in the mountains, I'm heading back to Antelope Island to hike the White Rock Trail.
It's 10 degrees cooler this morning than yesterday (33 degrees) but it'll be getting warmer soon.
I arrive on the island and debate about heading down to the Ranch - I was just down there yesterday. But anything can happen with animals moving a bout so it's definitely worth the trip.
Well as I drive down, not much has changed except the bison herds near the mountains have moved just a little bit.
I reach the Ranch and notice lots of folks at the start of the dirt road that leads to the Sentry Trail. Also, the Ranch's parking is packed with trucks - quite strange. But then I notice many, many DNR folks. I know they just relocated 15 California Bighorn sheep from the island to the Fillmore UT area on Jan 11; perhaps they're relocating more. Hmmmmm!
I actually drive off towards White Rock all the way thinking that I could be missing a bighorn sheep relocation effort. When I reach White Rock, I have to go back to the Ranch and see what's happening so off I go!
I get to the Ranch just as a helicopter takes off -- they are doing a capture/relocation!! Yes!
I park in the overflow horse parking and start down the road to the med check area. When I get there they are working on 4 rams. They are monitoring heart rate and temperature - the normal temp is around 100 degrees but a few have temps of 105. A couple have IVs which I assume is to address the temperature problems. They are getting their teeth checked and mouth swabbed,
blood tests,
fecal sampled, measured in length and "waist-line", and some vitamin shots. They are also getting an ultra sound which I could understand if they were females (pregnancy check) but they are males. Why? (I find out later that they are checking the body fat % of each animal.)
Also all of them are getting sprayed with a water/alcohol mixture on under their legs and bellies to help cool them off.
And finally, some are getting radio collars.
Once complete, the animals are carried to a trailer where they will be un-blindfolded and un-hobbled and allowed to recover.
Lots of people, lots of action and very interesting to watch.
Once these 4 are all in the trailer, the wait begins for the helicopter to return with another set of animals. While waiting, this is what I find out from asking and listening to several of the DNR folks. They are capturing only males today. (And they only captured males a few days back.) The reason mainly because there is a 2:1 male to female ratio on the island. This leads to a very intense/crazy rutting season that appears to be very stressful for the females which, they reason, is why the calving numbers are low -- the females are too stressed.
Also, they are capturing males to because in prior years, they relocated mostly females so they can re-establish areas before the males arrives - if they relocate males first, there are no females to keep them interested in sticking around. The goal for today is 11 animals but I was told that if things are good, they'll take up to 22.
And most important, these animals are being relocated to the Stansbury Mts which is about 1 hour west of Salt Lake. A little history: the Stansburys had a total of 56 bighorn sheep transplanted there in 2005 & 2006 and another 36 in 20008. The numbers grew to an estimated 230 animals by 2015. Unfortunately, a pneumonia struck the herd and biologists estimated as many as half the herd was kill by the disease by March of 2016. These animals are going there to help replenish the herd.
While waiting, I notice 2 bison on the ridge near Sentry Peak.
And a herd of 5 female deer were wandering in the grasses to the west.
Then finally, the sounds of a helicopter with 5 sheep hanging below. (Quite an impressive sight.)
The pilot slowly lets each animal down to the ground.
And then lands a short distance away. The staff/volunteers arrive and place each animal on stretcher
for a weigh-in
and then the physicals begin.
The helicopter takes off for the next batch. Over time the copter starts to the south and moves north to the Sentry Peak area and then moves south again. (Seems like he's having some pro
blems now -- the animals are getting smart.) But once all these 5 animals are done
and a short break for the workers, here comes the helicopter again with two animals.
I can see puffs of steam when they breathe.
And one ram the staff is very excited about - a big ram estimated to be around 7.5 years (oldest one capture today and a couple of days ago).
I leave as they are processing the two. I've seen 11 animals today and I'm sure there were some animals before I came. I think they might get to that 22 number as the helicopter is leaving once again.
Well it didn't end up being a hiking day but something so much better! Incredible experience!!!
It's 10 degrees cooler this morning than yesterday (33 degrees) but it'll be getting warmer soon.
I arrive on the island and debate about heading down to the Ranch - I was just down there yesterday. But anything can happen with animals moving a bout so it's definitely worth the trip.
Well as I drive down, not much has changed except the bison herds near the mountains have moved just a little bit.
I reach the Ranch and notice lots of folks at the start of the dirt road that leads to the Sentry Trail. Also, the Ranch's parking is packed with trucks - quite strange. But then I notice many, many DNR folks. I know they just relocated 15 California Bighorn sheep from the island to the Fillmore UT area on Jan 11; perhaps they're relocating more. Hmmmmm!
I actually drive off towards White Rock all the way thinking that I could be missing a bighorn sheep relocation effort. When I reach White Rock, I have to go back to the Ranch and see what's happening so off I go!
I get to the Ranch just as a helicopter takes off -- they are doing a capture/relocation!! Yes!
I park in the overflow horse parking and start down the road to the med check area. When I get there they are working on 4 rams. They are monitoring heart rate and temperature - the normal temp is around 100 degrees but a few have temps of 105. A couple have IVs which I assume is to address the temperature problems. They are getting their teeth checked and mouth swabbed,
blood tests,
fecal sampled, measured in length and "waist-line", and some vitamin shots. They are also getting an ultra sound which I could understand if they were females (pregnancy check) but they are males. Why? (I find out later that they are checking the body fat % of each animal.)
Also all of them are getting sprayed with a water/alcohol mixture on under their legs and bellies to help cool them off.
And finally, some are getting radio collars.
Once complete, the animals are carried to a trailer where they will be un-blindfolded and un-hobbled and allowed to recover.
Lots of people, lots of action and very interesting to watch.
Once these 4 are all in the trailer, the wait begins for the helicopter to return with another set of animals. While waiting, this is what I find out from asking and listening to several of the DNR folks. They are capturing only males today. (And they only captured males a few days back.) The reason mainly because there is a 2:1 male to female ratio on the island. This leads to a very intense/crazy rutting season that appears to be very stressful for the females which, they reason, is why the calving numbers are low -- the females are too stressed.
Also, they are capturing males to because in prior years, they relocated mostly females so they can re-establish areas before the males arrives - if they relocate males first, there are no females to keep them interested in sticking around. The goal for today is 11 animals but I was told that if things are good, they'll take up to 22.
And most important, these animals are being relocated to the Stansbury Mts which is about 1 hour west of Salt Lake. A little history: the Stansburys had a total of 56 bighorn sheep transplanted there in 2005 & 2006 and another 36 in 20008. The numbers grew to an estimated 230 animals by 2015. Unfortunately, a pneumonia struck the herd and biologists estimated as many as half the herd was kill by the disease by March of 2016. These animals are going there to help replenish the herd.
While waiting, I notice 2 bison on the ridge near Sentry Peak.
And a herd of 5 female deer were wandering in the grasses to the west.
Then finally, the sounds of a helicopter with 5 sheep hanging below. (Quite an impressive sight.)
The pilot slowly lets each animal down to the ground.
And then lands a short distance away. The staff/volunteers arrive and place each animal on stretcher
for a weigh-in
and then the physicals begin.
The helicopter takes off for the next batch. Over time the copter starts to the south and moves north to the Sentry Peak area and then moves south again. (Seems like he's having some pro
blems now -- the animals are getting smart.) But once all these 5 animals are done
and a short break for the workers, here comes the helicopter again with two animals.
I can see puffs of steam when they breathe.
And one ram the staff is very excited about - a big ram estimated to be around 7.5 years (oldest one capture today and a couple of days ago).
I leave as they are processing the two. I've seen 11 animals today and I'm sure there were some animals before I came. I think they might get to that 22 number as the helicopter is leaving once again.
Well it didn't end up being a hiking day but something so much better! Incredible experience!!!
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