When I head off it's cloudy (the dark rainy looking ones) and in the 40s.
As I near the gate, I can see many folks dressed in their hunting gear/guns heading into the grasses outside the park. I can also hear the pop, pop sounds of rifles firing -- hunting some kind of birds.
I just pass thru the gate when I see a lone male pheasant on the right side of the road. He looks a bit ruffled and panic'd as he looking in the direction of the gun shots. Poor bird.
Heading across the causeway the shorebird/gull population is definitely down a lot from the last time I was here. But on the plus side, the number of Shovelers has drastically increased.
These guys usually stay the winter (and are preyed on by the Bald Eagles and Coyotes in the winter).
As I approach the island, the truck (hauling 5th wheeler) slows to a crawl. I'm unsure why the slow down but when he left (south) I find out why. There's a lone bison standing/greeting every visitor at the point where the causeway hits the island. Pretty funny as in the same location their are colorful fake bison for folks to take their pictures with on arrival. This "real" bison must want some attention today too!
I turn left as well and head south towards the Ranch. The male bison that have been claiming this area with it's Farmington Bay for weeks are not around this morning. Perhaps the big change in the weather from records highs to 15-20 degrees below normal have caused the animals move with the weather change. Or they just haven't come down yet from the west side. Will find out when I return.
The island is really quiet this morning. I only see one other bison before I come upon 3 female deer feeding on trees just past Frary Peak.
A bit farther, I see a couple of more doe feeding in the Phragmites (tall grasses).
Continuing on, I finally see a small herd of bison near the lake bed. The herd looks to have a couple of yearlings in it.
That's the end of the sightings until I reach the Ranch. There, I see a large herd of bison south of the Sentry Peak Trail head.
I decide to check on the Great Horned Owls but do not find either of them. But I do find hawk perched in the trees.
Time to head north to the Gravel Pit trail head.
Along the way, I see 3 male deer feeding on a ridge.
And I see what I think is the top of a bison along the White Rock ridge. But nothing else new.
I reach my trail head and start up. As expected, not many flowers in bloom other than some Rabbitbrush.
On one plant, I find 3 white moths but they all take off as I arrive.
I'm seeing a lot of Pronghorn scat and some looks fresh. I need to keep my eyes open!
I also what I think is a top of a bison up the hill from the trail.
I confirm that bison when I get high enough - a lone bison.
As I crest my hill, I'm greeted by a lone Pronghorn staring at me. There looks to be one laying down. I stop and the laying Pronghorn rises. Cool!
They don't stay long as they take off running east.
I'm over the White Rock campground with views of Bison Point. I can see many bison around the campground area.
As I get close to my destination, a bison stands up in the rocks to the east. Then he starts walking in my direction. I sure hope he stops. He disappears behind some rocks and I get past.
I'm nearing the Beacon Hill spur when I see a flock of blue birds (Western Scrub Jays I think) but they fly off quickly.
Frary Peak and the White Rock meadow comes into view.
And down in the meadow, is a very large herd of bison - just tiny little black dots far in the distance.
Time to head up Beacon Hill.
I take a break on the picnic tables and enjoy the views!
South towards Frary Peak.
East over Farmington (or what's left of the water)
That bison I thought was up on White Rock Ridge - well, I was correct. There are 5 of them.
Time to head back to my car. Nothing new or exciting on the way back other than I think that last bison did cross the trail and is now in some rocks on the west side of the trail.
And the bison that I saw when I first started the trail has moved lower and I have to pass him with him staring at me.
Nice hike!
Back in my car, I head over to the west side of the island. I quickly see 3 Pronghorn after I make the turn.
I head over to check out the bison in the White Rock Campground and find a lone Pronghorn nearby on the south side of Bison Point.
On the north side of Bison Point are several bison.
I check on the Burrowing Owls but none this week. I image they are migrating by this point in the year.
Good day!
