May 28 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island today. Big decision as I would love to head into the mountains but I just don't want to deal with the holiday crowds. Also, there's rain in the forecast between 11-4pm in the valley so the mountains would get that rain first. Better to stay in the valley.

Well, it looks like it could rain this morning but I'm trusting the weatherman - but taking a rain coat anyway. As I drive north, it seems the clouds are pushing south and by the time I reach the causeway, I'm in blue sky with the sun still hidden behind those clouds.

I decide to bypass the drive to the Ranch and head directly to the White Rock trail - just want to make sure that I complete the hike by 11:30.

I head up to that gravel overlook on the road to Bison Point; I want to see if that female Pronghorn and baby may still be around.  As I turn onto the Bison Point road, I see 4 deer feeding nearby (at least one is a buck).

I reach the gravel overlook, below are 3 bison - can't see anything that might be a Pronghorn.

I head down to the road to the White Rock parking still looking for the Pronghorn. I do find a female Pronghorn; could be the Mom but there's no calf that I can see. The calf could be hidden in the grasses.

On to the parking lot. As I start the trail, the sun is still behind the clouds and it's in the low 60s. Perfect!

Passing many Sego Lilies

Globe Mallow

and a Pink flower. It's not the Phlox I've been seeing, this one is different. I just can't remember the name.

Salisfy

and some purple flowers (I think Scurfpea)  that are just starting to bloom.

I also see a few dragonflies.

I head up the switchback and on to White Rock meadow. It's quiet walk with just the sound of the wind and some birds. The only wildlife I see are 2 Chukkars.

Along the way, I'm still seeing Segos as well as White (and Pink) Daisies and some Milkvetch.

I reach the view of White Rock meadow and Frary Peak and start heading down. Nice to see puddles along the trail.

As I start to cross, I hear a bird calling, look up and a Long-billed Curlew is coming in for a landing. He keeps calling so he must be searching for his mate.

Soon I hear/see another bird approaching. It's all quiet now.

I also kick up a brown butterfly. Has the shape and flight of a Nymph. Not sure which one though.

As I start the inner loop, I see 3 bison in the distance. I'll be seeing them close-up in a bit because they are not far from the trail.

I'm still in the clouds although at some point I'll reach the sun as it's blue skies to the west.

Along the inner trail, I'm finding tons of Segos and Globe Mallow! It's beautiful!!

Also finding these yellow flowers

and some wonderful Milkweed!

Because of the clouds and cool weather, not much moving on the ground but I do see a couple of beetles and one lizard.

The exciting find is a coyote in the distance in front of me. No actually, there are 2 of them.

I also hear the Curlew calling and hovering near the coyote - hope there's no nest there. As I continue to watch, the bird flies away (yea). The far coyote moves off - I can't see him anymore. Hold on, there's a 3rd coyote and he joins the remaining one!! Awesome!

Moving on, I'm soon closing in on those bison. They aren't that far from the trail; I would normally go wide but I'd have to climb uphill. Hmmm! Fortunately, a bike rolls past them and they don't seem to care. So it's my turn. There are 2 standing and one laying. There's one watching me the whole time and the other taking glances. Both are wagging their tails and showing no signs of aggression. And the other doesn't care, he's still on the ground. I pass without incident. I even stop to watching the one roll in the grasses.

When I'm about finished with the inner trail, the sun finally comes out for good!

And it brings out a few butterflies: Common Checkered Skipper

and Checkered White.

I also see a Darner dragonfly. I can't get a good look at it.

And I can't forget this wonderful little bird that was belting out he's song - very melodious trilling.

When I done with the hike and start back towards the Visitor's Center. That female Pronghorn has disappeared and those bison, they've move off to the southeast.

As I approach the Visitor's Center, I'm looking for the Burrowing Owl. I see 2 maybe but on closer inspection, the one is a Western Meadowlark

and the other is the Burrowing Owl on a different perch but in the same area!

Awesome day!

May 26 - Antelope Island

Heading up to Antelope Island today - posting indicate that the Pronghorn are having their babies, the Sego Lilies are blooming, and the biting gnat population is decreasing. All good reasons to head up and take a peek.

Sunny day predicted with a high temperature of  80 degrees and then falling later in the afternoon as rain is coming Sunday/Monday.

But for now, as I arrive on the causeway, it's sunny and clear. There's a nice breeze out to keep the remaining biting gnats flying (hopefully). There's seem to be a bit more water in Farmington Bay this morning - it could be the mountain run-off or just the wind moving the water. (Hoping for runoff.) But still too much dry, barren lake bed.

Tons of gulls along the causeway and some Mergansers too.

As I arrive on the island, I head south towards the Ranch. Boy, the island is looking much browner/drier since the last time I was here.

I stop at the first view and notice 2 animals trotting to the south. They are Pronghorn!!

I check the large water puddle to the left and there are gulls.

A little farther along, I see 2 bison on the dry lake bed.

There are a bunch of black dots to the right of the bison which seems strange. On closer inspection, it's a flock of Canadian geese. And behind them, is a Sandhill Crane. I only noticed the crane when I was looking at the photos.

Moving on, there's a flock of gulls flying/landing around an area on the slopes near Beacon Hill. Interesting.

I'm well past Frary Peak before I see animals and it's not just one. It's the whole Moms w/ babies bison herd to the east along the shore. Some are on the lake bed and others are in the green grasses.

I exit my car and stand on the other side of the road looking at the bison. I can hear the bison biting and chewing the grasses - love that sound!!

I continue to the Ranch. When I arrive, the gate to the dirt road is open but there is a barricade. Not sure if the road is still closed or it's an informational sign for those attending the Cowboy Poet and Song festival at the Ranch this week-end. I'm hoping the road is open because there's another herd of bison down near the Sentry Peak trail head and it will save me the walk. :)

I head for the wooded area to check for owls. I didn't find any but that doesn't mean they are not hiding behind all of those green tree leaves!

As I head back to my car, I hear a Kildeer. It takes me a while but I do find it.

I checkout the dirt road but it is closed so time to head north and over to the west side of the island for a short walk up Bison Point. As I reach the west side, I see two bison but no other animals as I reach the Bison Point parking.

I look down on the White Rock campground and find one bison below me, some campers and hardly anyone at the White Rock trail -- the fear of biting gnats at work :)

The Bison Point parking is empty as well. Time to I start up the trail in search of those lilies.

Before I even start up the trail, there's a commotion in the grasses -- it's a lizard catching a grasshopper.

The lizard gets his breakfast!!

Starting up the trail, there are definitely some biting gnats around but it's no bad especially with the wind. I'm finding Redstem Stork's Bill still blooming, Phlox,

a yellow flower

and a white Daisy.

I also scare up 2 Chukkars and they quickly move up the trail before they disappear.

I continue up to the top seeing a lot of lizards including one whose lucky to be alive -- missing tail.

I reach the top and it's beautiful!!

South towards White Rock Bay and Frary Peak

Northeast towards the causeway

I turn to head to the north side when I scare up 2 more Chukkars.

Soon I reach the north side overlooking the Great Salt Lake - beautiful day!

But no Sego Lilies :(

After stopping to look at a Lark Sparrow

it's time to head down. On the way down, I stop at a gravel pull-out and look below. I see the bison below me and I notice something on the edge of the road to the White Rock campground. It's out of place. I take a look though my camera and oh my, it's a Pronghorn with her baby!

I'm not sure why I did what I did next but now I'm kicking myself in the butt. Instead of simply watching for where I was, I decide to drive down to the road. It isn't more than a minute until I reach the road. And when I get there, there are no Pronghorn. (Except a male not far from that bison.) Where did they go? Very weird! If I didn't have the photos, I would've thought I was dreaming but they did really disappear. Why did I move?!

Oh well, I did really see them and hey, I find my Sego lilies! :)

I head back up to that viewpoint to get a better look at the male -- not sure how I missed him earlier.

I head back down and start my way past the beach - stopping to look at the Primrose.

As I near the Visitor's Center, I start looking for the Burrowing Owls. All I see is a lone bison - who can miss him. As I roll past him, I see the Owl!! I have a chance for a decent shot but decide to pull past and stop. As soon as I stop, the Owl takes off - Ugh!

I decide to take a loop around the Visitor's Center - maybe he'll come back. Thankfully, looping around works!

Time to go home. Incredible day!!

May 25 - Lambs Canyon Road

On the way back from Mirror Lake, I stop at the Mormon Trail to look for butterflies. It's still sunny with a temperature of 76 degrees.

I'm hoping I can get to the trail today (blocked last time from creek overflow) but as soon as I cross the bridge, I'm greeted by a guy on a very wet bike. He tells me good luck getting to the trail.

I try to walk down paths other people have made through the trees but without luck. :( Next time, I bringing my mud boots so I can reach the trail and see some butterflies!

On the positive side, I see Gold Finches and Yellow Warblers!

Well, it's time to head back to Lambs Canyon again,  I need a walk.

When I arrive, the gate is still closed and the sun still out with no rain clouds in sight or in the forecast - yea!

I check the mud puddles near my car and I find a Two-banded Skipper!

I also see few Rocky Mt Duskwing, a Spring Azure, a Silvery Blue and several Western Tailed Blue. Not a bad start.

The beginning section of the trail is full of the lovely white flowers of Wild Cherries.

So many blooming Cherry trees!

Along the trail, there are more Gernaniums

and Sweet Peas blooming. The Parsley plants are done blooming and are drying but a curious Anise Swallowtail is checking them out but doesn't lay any eggs.

The Duskywings and Blues rule the day. There's no question that the majority of duskywings are still the Rocky Mt variety. But there is an increasing number of Sleeping Duskywings in the mix.

Lots of Western Tailed Blues having their parties today.

I'm still finding Orangetips cruising the canyon looking for mates as well as several Mourning Cloaks, a couple of Juba Skippers

and one beaten CA Tortoiseshell (trying to hide with the Western Tailed Blues).

I'm also seeing this other White. It's bigger than the Orangetip but I'm unsure what it is.

New sightings for the year are a Clouded Sulpher, 2 Field Crescents and a Satyr Comma (after flying twice as I stalked him, he finally came back and landed on my leg before settling on the ground).

It's big day for Swallowtails as I see 4 Swallowtails: Anise, Western and new for the year, Two-tailed and one Pale!!

On the way down, I see a White Line Sphinx moth, the first of the year!

The day is completed on the way down when one of those Whites that have been driving me crazy all day stops to nectar. He doesn't stay long on a flower but does stay in the same area. I see he's a Large Marble!

 (There are also Cabbage Whites on air.) 19 species today!!

Awsome day!