Heading to above 80 degrees again today with sunny skies. But there's clouds right but they are moving off. And it's windy - which is awesome to help with bug control.
Partly cloudy as I arrive on the causeway. As I cross, I see a Kestrel perched on a road sign. The duck/shorebird numbers have dropped a lot - seems like many have continued their northern migration.
I head south towards the Ranch and quickly pass a small herd of bison.
Next stop is the overlook. As I pull in, there's a bird perched and what I assume to be its mate trying to land but my scares the flyer away. The other bird calls several time before it flies too.
Moving on, and past Frary Peak, I see some dark spots on shore that looks curious. I stop, it's 5 deer!!
In the distance, I can see a small herd of bison on the shoreline and I drive forward to get closer. But before I get there, I see a flash of white to my left. It's a lone Pronghorn moving south!
I continue on towards the bison but stop as there's a deer near the road. I get out of my car - the deer doesn't care, he (yes, its a buck - there horns are just starting) just looks at me
and continues eating.
Finally, I reach the bison! No babies here but there are several Pronghorns hanging out with them!
Across the street, is another small herd of bison.
I continue on but quickly stop for a Western Meadowlark belting out his song.
As I'm approaching the Ranch, I'm wondering where the big bison herd with the babies are. Can't image they moved that far with newborns and still pregnant cows.
I arrive at the Ranch and I see a fair sized herd of bison about another 1/4 south of the Ranch on the shore. Perhaps, I'll head out there but there doesn't look to be babies. But first, time to check out the Great Horned Owls.
As I walk outside the parking lot, I see a Kildeer trying to distract me from it's nest. (I have no idea where the nest is but it must be near.)
I head back and the DNR guy I've been talking to for the last several weeks is just opening up the gates. He tells me that both the female and male were seen last week which means either they didn't have owlets OR the owlets are old enough to be left alone for a while. I'm hoping for the latter.
We head back looking up in the trees for owls. I locate one owl - this one looks large so it's probably the female. She's actually not far from where they suspect the nest to be.
And then I continue around the south side of the wooded area. When I'm about to head north, there's the other owl!!! And he's very alert!
Awesome!
Well, it's time to move on and see if my head net actually keeps the gnats out. Since I'm a bit nervous, I decide to do one of the shorter trails - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (2.2 miles one-way).
On my way back up the island to the trail (which is near the viewpoint), I find that big herd of bison with babies not far from the Ranch!! (They are far enough back that they can only be seen when going south.)
There are even more "little reds" this week!!
Continuing on to my trail head, I see two brown masses in the grasses near the shore. I stop -- they're Sandhill Cranes feeding!!!
A bit further down the road, I find two deer -- probably part of the five I saw earlier.
I soon reach the trail head, put a long sleeve shirt on and my head net and venture outside my car. It's sunny and in the 70s and I'm loving the wind!
As I start up the trail, there are still lots of pink Redbill Stork's Bill blooming and yellow Parsley plants. (Hoping, to see the Anise Swallowtail today -- the parsley plant that is quite abundant is a host plant for the species.)
I also find a few Milkvetch.
I do see a few Clouded Sulphurs and Common Checkered Skippers flying.
The head net seems to be working but it just may be the wind (which I'm heading into) that's blowing the gnats right past me. A bit hard to see though.
Soon I'm passing the White Rock Campground; looks pretty empty over there.
I'm nearing the intersection with the White Rock Trail and see a few bikers - one heading south, 3 heading north. Well, they must have scared a Pronghorn as I see one trotting east (away from the bikes).
I soon lose him. But wait, there's another now trotting east. He stops before going over the ridge. As I move up the trail, I spot both of them again.
I'm nearing Beacon Hill when I see a Phlox.
Soon I'm climbing up Beacon Hill with Frary Peak to the south.
Nearing the Beacon Hill station.
And stopping at the end of the view to enjoy the views south!
Time to head back.
I do spot one Anise Swallowtail on the return trip!
And the verdict on the head net. Well, it worked pretty well especially on the way to Beacon Hill where I was walking into the wind. On the way back, the bugs were gathering on the net in front of my face which made me nervous. A few snuck through somehow but it did work. Not sure I'd go hiking on a calm day -- definitely need wind! But I survived and had a good hike.
Time to check out the west side of the island. There I find that the Pronghorn that were behind the Visitor's Center for several weeks are gone; there's a small herd of bison now.
I also find a single Pronghorn on the north side of the island near the shore.
Time to go home! Great day!
