Temperatures are around 31. It's only supposed to be a bit warmer before another colder storm rolls in later today.
Heading up to Antelope Island today to hike the White Rock trail.
When I arrive on the causeway this morning, I'm surprised to find no snow on the island; still brown except for a dusting on the island's mountains.
I have my eyes open for the Bald Eagles this morning but finding only ducks and gulls. Will check out the ducks on my way out. (No eagles this morning.)
It was sunny in Salt Lake but up here, it's still cloudy.
I head south towards the Ranch. Animals are still scarce.
I get a glimpse of a coyote just before the Frary Peak pull-out. And nothing until I'm almost at the ranch. There are 2 herds of bison about a 1/4 way up the mountains - just little black dots on the mountainside.
I roll passed the 1st herd when a see another herd moving south near the road. I pull ahead of them, exit my car and watch. They are angling towards the road; I'm hoping they cross in front of me.
While I wait, I listen to their grunts and them moving through the grasses. Great sounds! There are a few small tussles between a few animals and a "little playtime".
Then a car pulls off a bit ahead of me. The herd stops for a minute of two before continuing south. I'm sure they will cross the road at some point but it's time to move on.
I reach the Ranch and pull-off to check if that Bald Eagle from last week is still at Mushroom Springs. (It's a long way away but I have my binocs today.) Nope, no eagles today.
I head down to check for the Owls. I try the barn first this morning. (The DNR guy I usually talk to says he sometimes scares them out of the barn.) No owls. I head over to the trees. The gate is closed so I walk along the fence. The trees are now bare making them easier to find. But I see nothing. That's 2 weeks in a row; I hope the pair did fly the coup (so to speak).
As I head back to my car, there's something moving in the distance. There are multiple "somethings". Have to be either deer or Pronghorn. I zoom in with my camera. They're Pronghorn!!
And they're moving pretty quickly to the south towards the Sentry Trail. I head back to my car and grab by binocs. I count 12 at first but as they continue to move, more appear. I count 31 but there could be more. Pretty cool! (After looking at my photos, there are more! There are some low on the mountain side before the main herd. Love it!)
Time to head north but no hiking for me today. I forgot my water - Oops! Guess I'll just continuing to explore.
As I head north, I see a lone bison walking north near the base of the mountains. Not too far away, there are also 3 Pronghorn in a patch of sagebrush.
And that bison herd, well, they crossed the road.
I pass a couple of cars with spotting scopes pointing to the mountains. I stop but cannot find what they are looking at but if I had a guess, probably a large buck.
I also spot a Kestrel! (I've seen them flying the last few weeks. This is the first good look though.)
So pretty this morning!
I continue and take a detour up to the Frary Peak parking for a quick look.
On my way down, I see a Shrike. He's got the tail moving this morning!
I continue on spotting 2 bison near the 1st view point. They weren't there early but they laying there now enjoying the sunshine.
I reach the north end of the island. It's cloudy up here with dark clouds to the north. I head to the west side. I don't see any animals but head up to Bison Point.
I'm hoping to walk the trail up the hill but it's really windy now and brrrr cold. I go up maybe 100 yards for the view south towards Frary Peak and White Rock Bay.
and it's time to head out.
Back on the causeway, I stop to check out some of the birds on the water. I see Shovelers, Barrow's Golden Eye (I think)
I'm not sure what the ones are with the ringed neck.
And hanging near the Gull, lots of Killdeer!
Good day!
