As I head off, the Salt Lake Valley is sunny but unfortunately, to the north, it's still cloudy - the remnants of yet another storm in southern Idaho. I see blue sky to the west, so hoping it will clear before/while I'm on the island.
When I arrive on the causeway, partly sunny and gorgeous!
As I cross, the waterfowl numbers continue to increase with Northern Shovelers, Avocets (new this week)
Sand Pipers (new)
and hundreds (maybe thousands) of Eared Grebes.
Still no swirling swarms of midges yet -- this weird Spring has everything a bit late. But the midges and those biting gnats are coming soon.
Arriving on the island, I head south towards the Ranch. I quickly see a few bison. And just before the fence line, 3 pronghorn! One looks a bit out of breath with the tongue hanging out.
Oh, there's another on top of the hill.
Continuing on, there are lots of folks out riding their horses south towards the Ranch. Not the casual stroll, these horses are all trotting.
I can hear the songs of the Horned and Western Meadowlarks on my drive.
Nearing Frary Peak and at the end of the southern part of the White Rock ridge are two more bison and 5 near the Frary Homestead. Otherwise, pretty void of critters the rest of the way to the Ranch.
I look towards the Sentry Trail and see a few bison at Mushrooms Springs and a bigger herd a bit further south. Hmmmm, I considering doing the White Rock trail again.
But before I decide, it's time to check out the Great Horned Owls. If they have babies, they should be poking their heads out soon.
I speak to the DNR guy before heading in asking about the owls. They still have no idea where the nesting site might be (or even if they mated). But they are still hopeful as they saw the pair in courtship rituals earlier in the year. If they have owlets, it'll be the first since 2016 when Antelope Island endure the big wildfire and the Ranch was hit by a tornado which caused damaged to many buildings and the wooded area where the Owls hang out and typically nest.
I head into the woods. A few weeks ago, the male was visible perched in a tree pretty much right when I walked through the fence. Today, he was down the trail heading right (south) just before the trail heads out of the forest.
Somewhere within in his view is a potential nest.
I head out telling the DNR that I found the male -- he was curious where he was perched this morning.
I look towards the Sentry Trail, the bison by Mushroom Springs have moved north and are no longer near the trail. (Yea!) The other herd still looks like an issue .... I'm heading to the White Rock trail.
So I head back north (still thinking about the Sentry trail). I get about 1-2 miles down the road when I see a bright white spot in the landscape. This could be a Pronghorn --- I stop and look ---- it's the white backside of a lone Pronghorn!!!!
At this point, I decide to brave the bison and head back to the Sentry Trail.
As I start, there are many horses gathering at the still closed gate to the Sentry Trail head road. (They are hosting riding lessons today on the island.) After getting by them, I head down the road. I don't see any deer behind the Ranch but there is a small herd of bison somewhat near the road. Far behind them is the bison herd that was near Mushroom Springs.
As I head west towards Mushroom Springs, the bison herd that was earlier near the trail have thankfully moved south into the mountains. However, there are 3 left that I will have to pass by.
As I near, the bison are only 30-40 feet off the trail. They definitely know I'm heading at them - very alert. So I head wide right around them.
Once around, I head back to the trail heading up to the long switchback. Seeing lots of green along the trail including young yarrow plants.
And a bison "scratching post".
Only seeing the pink Red stem Storkbill blooming all the way up to the ridge.
Nice to see a Boy Scout group having lunch at the picnic trail on the ridge.
I head south along the ridge. Seeing more blooming Spring Parsley now -- including some with the young Yarrow.
At one point, I see 2 Chukkars crossing the trail not far ahead of me -- but I guess they sense my presence and fly off.
There are no animals to be seen down the western slopes.
But I do see something that's a first for me --- bikers on this trail. There are 3 of them. I've only ever seen one before and he was walking his bike up the hill. These guys were actually riding but then again, they are on the flat ridge.
At one point, I stop to look down the island and I see/hear little insects around my head. I think I have found some early bird biting gnats and yes, I just got bitten (I feel the burn.). Moving along quickly.
I reach the other side of the ridge.
Time to start heading down.
I know our snow melt has yet to begin but since our snow melt was 130 inches shy of normal, things are looking bright for an already dry Farmington Bay. (That was all water back in 2013.)
Now I'm seeing tons of pink flowers and Spring Parsley too! Hey, there's a Milk Vetch!
I also see several of these wasp-looking insects.
When I get down the hill and heading towards Mushroom Spring, I see a yellow butterfly -- it's a Clouded Sulpher (1st of the season).
(I see another on my way back to the road.)
I make a stop at the pond near Mushroom Springs and find it surprisingly empty - just mud! Sad, I used to find a few shorebirds here.
Back at my car, I head north up the island and then south behind the Visitor's Center. There I find 3 Pronghorn near the south side of the road.
A bit further along the road, there is a bigger herd of Pronghorn.
(Probably part of the herd I saw earlier this morning.)
Last week when I was here, there was a herd directly south of the Visitor's Center. Still a few left today.
Time to head home!! Awesome day!
