April 21 - Antelope Island Safari

Beautiful morning with temps in the mid-40s and sunny skies -- supposed to be near 70 degrees today.

Heading out to Antelope Island to hopefully view the first of the new baby bison of the year. Postings have indicated they are here (as well as the biting gnats -- which I already knew from last week's hike). I bringing a head net that's specifically for gnats; I'm just not sure if I'm brave enough to trust it on 6-7 mile hike.

I arrive around 7:30 this morning. The sun is still low and the water calm. As I cross the causeway, stop as I see 3 birds land on the south side (Farmington Bay) of the causeway. They're Curlews!!!

Continuing on, I pass Avocets

and Eared Grebes (their numbers are down from last week).

Onto the island, I head south towards the Ranch. On the east side within sight of the Visitor's Center, there are two bison not far from the road. On the opposite side, is a single bison who is walking towards the road. I stop and wait for the bison to cross to join his buddies. (While waiting, I notice a herd of deer behind the bison.)

I pass the bison and spot for the deer who at this time are in a panic - please don't run away! Thankfully they settle down.

Before heading up over the ridge and out of sight.

Continuing on towards the Ranch, I stop at the first overlook. There I find 3 bison in a large puddle of water far below me and to the south.

A little further down the road east of the White Rock Ridge is a couple more bison. And after passing Frary Peak, I spot 2 more deer in the grasses along the shoreline.

(While watching the deer, I see a huge herd of bison ahead. Bet there are little reds (baby bison) in that herd!)

I drive just a bit further when 3 pheasant land and move off through the grasses. That was exciting - only the 2nd time I've seen them here.

I continue down the road until I'm across from the bison. They are in the distance along the shoreline and there are babies!!!!!

It's a large herd stretching south and just ahead of me there are many bison much nearer the road so I move forward. Many babies here as well!

I move towards the front of the herd and stop as it looks like they may be crossing the road.

Then something happens and the bison start moving south faster. Lots of trotting and a choir of grunting, huffing, and moaning -- pretty cool to listen and watch.

But instead of crossing, they herd up all with tails raised.

Not sure what's going on but it's very interesting. I move forward toward the big herd to watch for a bit before moving on.

Several smaller herds (probably males) are scattered along the shoreline. These guys decide to get a bit of practice butting heads.

A bit farther down the road, I spot a lone Pronghorn on the west side of the road.

Soon I'm at the Ranch and I decide to check out the Owls. As I walk to the area, I notice a single bison in the green grassy area behind the barn (there's one much farther back too). Unfortunately, the gate to the bird area is closed this morning - no owl check today. Perhaps, they haven't open it yet or perhaps it's because there's bison in the birding area (and I do see one). He soon moves out to the green grass with his buddy.

Well, it's time to bring out the head net and see if it works with a short hike down towards the Sentry Trail head - there's a herd of bison down there. So it's back to the car and on with the net. A little strange to see out of this tiny screen but it is keeping the gnats away from my face. (Feel sorry for the lady expecting a pleasant morning walking her dogs down the road to the Sentry Trail - who suddenly turns around and runs back to her car.)

No baby bison down here so I make my way back to my car and head back up the road.

Not far from the Ranch, I pass a herd of bison along the shoreline that I passed earlier. Just north of them, I notice "mounds" in a group on the shore. I stop to investigate -- it's a herd of Pronghorn relaxing!!!

(With all these animals along the shore, I'm wondering if they're trying to evade the biting gnats - trust me they are bad today - I've been out of my car to animal watch several times.)

A bit farther down the road, I see another herd of deer moving east towards the road. I stop and get out of my car to watch.

There's one with a neck collar. (Their fur looks funny, kinda disheveled - maybe it's a way to help with the gnats.)

The deer get to the road and stop. When a car approaches from the north, they take off running back west towards the mountains.

Boy, pretty exciting day! I haven't seen so much animal movement on the island in months, must be the gnats. :)

Moving on, I notice movement to the left of me -- it's a coyote moving north through the grasses - very hard to see.

I follow for a bit and finally get a good view of him as he crosses a fence.

He keeps moving north.

Probably the only animal heading north today. That big herd of bison with babies that were along the road less than an hour ago, well they are now moving south along the shore.

Continuing on as I near Frary Peak, I spot another herd of Pronghorn moving south.

As I pass by the White Rock ridge, I spot 2 bison up high.

Back on the northern part of the island, I have to stop for yet another bison crossing.

And continue to wait as 2 additional bison run down to the road to cross. Always fun to watch!

I stop to watch a Northern Harrier flying north before turning and taking the south loop around the Visitor's Center. That herd of Pronghorn that has been behind for 2 weeks now is still there.

There's also 2 nearer to the road.

I loop around the Visitor's Center and back to the causeway. As soon as I drive onto the causeway, I notice 2 mule deer near the shore!

Pretty ending to an awesome day!

April 19 - Little Cottonwood Creek Trail (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Got out of work a little early today and since temps are in the mid-60s, decide to take a hike. I wanted a flat-ish hike so head over to the Little Cottonwood Creek trail -- it's 7 miles (round-trip) and around 1350 ft in elevation.

As I head over I'm expecting to have drive up the canyon to the upper lot since sometimes it takes them a while to open the gate at the lower lot but surprise! The lower lot's open -- I get to hike the entire trail!!!

I'm hoping to see a few butterflies today but it's mostly cloudy so that can put a damper on things.

As I start up the trail, I see many small white flowers in bloom.

And further along, I find Waterleaf plants with buds.

And the Oregon-grape with buds as well.

After about one mile, the falls comes into view. (Still relatively low water flow for now.)

Crossing the bridge, I continue up the trail (starting to see some snow along the trail now in spots), crossing one footbridge and then another before arriving at the water wheel where I stop to look at the creek.

Continuing up, I finally see a flash of orange flying above the trail. It's a Satyr Comma! (First of the season!)

Hoping to see more as below the upper parking is a pretty good spot for butterflies but nothing. So I continue up to the end of the trail and the old brick building.

Time to head down.

When I'm about a 1/2 mile away from the parking lot, the sun is out for good. And yea, I kick up a Rocky Mt Duskywing!

And a bit more down the trail, two more! They are just not being cooperative today.

Good day!

April 14 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

After two days of rain / snow (yes, even in the valley), it's definitely time to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Heading into the mountains is out as with near 2 feet of new snow, they will be packed (especially since this is the closing week-end for the majority of the ski resorts). So heading back to Antelope Island to hopefully hike the Sentry Trail.

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!