Jan 29 - Jeremy Ranch Walk

Thought about heading to the ski resorts this morning but my car headed over the mountains towards Park City instead this morning. I didn't quite make it to Park City; instead, exiting at the Jeremy Ranch exit.

It's a beautiful morning - blue sky, sunny (a bit of light fog)! A great day for a little walk down the road to the Mormon Trail. It's a bit nippy when I exit my car - 17 degrees - and start my walk.

The road is packed snow, the sides of the road in some spots I can't even see over due to the snow plowed piles -- I'm 5 10 and in spots, the snow was to my arm pits. To see, sometimes I have to climb on top - fun times.

To the right of the road (east) is a stream -- it's still flowing but some ice in spots.

And there are 2 Golden Eyes (males) in the stream!

There are trails along the stream - are they wildlife trails or dogs trails (lots of folks walk their dogs here)? I'm not sure.

There are many many trails on the foothills. Some go part way up the hill, some never make it to the creek, some just go in random patterns. There is one tree that seems to be an end point - maybe a bed down spot? Kinda of crazy to look at.

Once the stream crosses to the other side of the road (the west side), the trails cease for a while.

Beautiful untouched snowy landscape!

In the stream, I see 3 female Gold Eyes

and even further down, I see another male.

Soon the trails on the hills re-appear. (Also some mini-snowballs.)

I keep scanning hoping to spot something.

Then high on a hill I see something that looks out-of-place.

I check with my camera.... Elk!

They are all bedded down. Looks like at least 5. (After looking at the photo, there are at least 9.)

I continue on and find more tracks within 100 yards (across from the bridge over the creek). These trails lead all the way to the road, across the creek and continue along the foothills to the west.

I scan and on the ridge line I see what could possibly be a head (or it's a brush).

I check with my camera and more Elk!!!! Hard to tell how many thru my lens but there's at least two. :)

(From the photo, there appears to be 5.)

I continue on for probably another 1/4 - 1/2 mile before turning around.

On the way back, I find the one elk on the ridge line again. But when I look away for just a moment, she disappears.

I can't locate the first herd I saw. I'm sure they were still.

I continue along

And soon spot a large flying bird. I see a white head  - could this be a Bald Eagle? Sure looks like it! :)

I make it back to the beginning section (with the stream on the east side). I locate those 2 Golden Eyes again. And I spot what could be a muskrat or otter swimming in the stream.

He disappears.

I'm on the last 100 yds before reaching my car when I think I see movement high on a hill. It's definitely a dark spot. I look with my camera -- just a rock. I continue on but once again see movement. I stop and take another look -- it's deer!

A deer that's over the belly in snow. It's grazing (or trying to)!

Very cool!

And now I think I know what all those swervey, curvy trails are just deer grazing on the visible plant life on the slopes -- it has to be!!

My "car" definitely made the right choice this morning. :) I was hoping to see deer or elk and I saw both! Add in a Bald Eagle, incredible morning!!

Jan 27 - Antelope Island

Big debate this morning - mountains or island? Tough choice because over the last 7 days, we've had 2ft of snow in SLC and 80-85 inches at each of the 4 ski resorts here. (300inches for the season so far!) That's a LOT of fluffy white stuff.

But since it was still snowing yesterday, I'm not quite sure how clean to road is (or the parking lots) probably better to head up on Sunday once the sun hits pavement. So I'm heading up to Antelope Island this morning. Supposed to be sunny, but we'll see - the island seems to have it's own weather this winter.

As I drive up, it's in the upper teens and sunny!! And I'm extremely excited when I arrive, it's still blue sky and sunny! What I call a perfect winter day in the valley - there is a light inversion layer but I can see the mountains....perfect!

As I drive across the causeway, I see a hawk perched on a stick in the distance on the north side of the road.

Man, is it beautiful out -- especially with the heavy frost/snow on the plant stalks!

Along the way, I see a bird of prey sitting on the ground. I stop and get out for a better look. Looks like a Peregrine Falcon.

I arrive on the east side of the bridge. The numbers of ducks seems to have increased since last week.I see several large birds on the far side of the open water. 3 Bald Eagles (one adult and 2 juveniles) and two ravens/crows. The eagles definitely have duck out there as I can see one pecking on it.

I continue across the bridge where I see another eagle closer to the road but still a hundreds yards farther up the road. But I don't drive over because I see another potential eagle on the ice with something dark behind it - I'm curious. Yep, it's another eagle with a coyote behind it. I'm assuming it too got a duck this morning.

I start to head over to the other eagle near the road and of course it flies before I can get there. But it does fly over to the marina perhaps its now perched over there.

I reach the marina and scan the poles for the eagle. At first I don't see him but there he is on the farther pole from me. But I can drive over for a closer look and I do.

He's a beauty. And then he flies!

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.

There's a lone bison not too far down the island grazing on the frosty vegetation.

Along the way, I see a dark spot on the ice. It's a coyote! He's moving a bit slow - this looks like the old, scrawny coyote I saw along the causeway a few weeks ago. (Hey, he's still kicking!)

I drive on -- seeing only 3 bison laying down before arriving at the Frary Peak turn-off. Today may be the day I walk up the hill to the parking area about 100-200 feet higher than the road. But for now, continuing on.

I pass the Frary Homestead still looking for bison. I'm coming up on the spot where the deer, pronghorn and bison were all grazing together last week and I see Pronghorn! They're little dots on the horizon but they are still there. I count 38 of them but there are more a little further along.

Then the bison. They are near the road for easy viewing.

Just before the Ranch, I stop for several that are along the road. I get out of my car planning on crossing the road but 1/2 way across, one of the bison that was laying down got up and turned toward me. Oops! Heading back to the car quickly!!!! :)

I reach the Ranch, think briefly about hiking the Sentry Trail (it's 17 degrees but the sun is so warm) but decide Frary Parking Lot and Bison Point will do for today - short hikes not a 6.5 mile one.

As I head back, add 2 porcupine to my sightings and a lone bison above the Frary Homestead (missed him on the way in).

I reach the lower Frary Parking are start out up the snow-covered road to the upper Frary Peak parking. The road is closed in the winter because it's steep (23% grade), short, and has a curve. I've seen many people walk up it - perhaps for the view or maybe they are heading up higher. I'm heading only to the upper parking area for a higher view.

The snow is crusty but not bad to walk. Seeing lots of mouse(??) tracks and rabbit tracks.

I reach the parking area. The prior tracks continue to the trail head but I stomp my way thru the snow thru the rocky outcropping (with tons of rabbit tracks) to the view.

Definitely worth the trip!!

Time to head over to Bison Point (west side).

On the way there, I stop at the lone bison I saw on my way in. He's laying down. I can see the steam from his hot breath.

From there I head up to Bison Point - I see no animals along the way,

The view from the Bison Point parking is incredible today!

I head over to the trail. Thankfully, folks have already blazed the trail thru the snow so up, up, I go. (0.4 miles, 250ft). It's so pretty heading up - sagebrush/plant stalks coated in frost/snow, crisp untouched snow (except for the path of course) and the views!

There were spots where the path was obscured because of drifting from the winds.

But I stomped my way in the general direction and soon found the trail again. When I reached the section thru the rocks, the snow on the ground was in flakes - so pretty.

When I reached the top, the views continue to be incredible!

I head north to the rocks for a better views. Lots of rabbits hopping among these rocks.

Time to head down.

I reach my car and make my way down and around the Visitor's Center -- no animals could be seen on the way.

I reach the causeway and start looking for those Eagles again! I make a stop at the marina to check out the ducks (still only Shovelers) near the causeway.

I move forward a bit stopping on the west side of the bridge. There's a Bald Eagle in the distance.

And another one takes flight!

There's also a very lonely sea gull at the water's edge.

When I get back to my car, I see 2 birds of prey on the bridge's light poles. One is a hawk and the other is the Peregrine Falcon. (I saw one on the exact same pole last week.) I inch forward in my car. The hawk flies and the falcon stays.

I move to the other side of the bridge to look at the mass of ducks. It's kinda cute how the move and squeak among each other in such close quarters!

And yet another Eagle in the distance. (That makes at least 5 for the day.)

I continue along and spot a hawk on the edge of the road. As I roll up, he flies. He may be the same one I saw in the same location early in the day.

What a wonderful day! So glad I passed on the mountains - we don't get a winter day like this in the valley!

Jan 20 - Antelope Island

Heading out to Antelope Island after work today -- it's supposed to rain/snow all week-end, I've got to head up when I can.

It's mostly sunny in Salt Lake in the mid-30s but as I arrive on the causeway, Antelope Island is in a fog bank. :( Hopefully, it'll clear.

Just past the gate, I see a large hawk near the tall grasses. I stop, roll down my window, and of course, it flies. But it lands on a nearby road sign. I roll ahead for a better view before it flies again.

Not much to see as I drive across the causeway -- except a couple of Kestrels flying and lots of white snow and heavy fog. As I get near the bridge (and open water), the fog starts to lift just a bit.

The duck population is a little higher than my last trip but far below a couple of weeks ago. In the distance, I see a larger dark spot on the ice - yep, it's a Bald Eagle sitting on the ice!

I pass the marina and for the first time in about 4 weeks, no Bald Eagle. :(

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. They've had snow here this morning/last night -- it's covering the road in spots.

Other than a Shrike, I don't see any animals until after Frary Peak. And the animals are bison. Near the mountains, close to the road, and near the lake bed all along the road. Most are laying down - just large brown bumps on the ground.

I pass the Frary Homestead, more bison but I can't find the pronghorn. I drive a bit farther to where the bison hung out this summer/where the pronghorn were earlier this winter and there are lots of bison down by the lake bed.

I keep looking for pronghorn within the bison herd and finally, I see movement. Pronghorn!!

And I see a few more in the sagebrush. Very exciting!

I continue on to the Ranch seeing one addition Pronghorn running on the mountain side of the road.

When I reach the Ranch, I start my walk heading down the road towards Sentry Peak.

Just a couple of inches of fresh snow. The only tracks I see along the road are coyote. I'm looking for one but no luck. No luck on deer or hawks either.

The sun is peeking out by the time I reach the trail head and I start heading to Mushroom Springs. There's more snow on this trail; a good 4-5 inches which is making for some slow going. I get 1/2 way to Mushroom Springs -- there's blue sky peaking out over Sentry Peak --

but I decide I turn around -- just not feeling a 6 mile hike thru the snow. I head back to my car. (The sun is now out - perfect blue skies to the north. I think I'll hike up Bison Point.)

Before I leave, I head back up the road, I go to check on the Great Horned Owls but the area is still gated. (I think the Owls will have a peaceful winter unbothered by pesky humans.)

I hop in my car and turn onto the main road. I look right and I have 4 pronghorn staring at me!

I think they were heading for the road and I interrupted their progress. We are in a stand-off for a few minutes before they turn and start heading back east. And I north along the road.

When I reach the bison along the lake bed, I find more Pronghorn.

About 75 yards further north, I see deer! They too are hanging out with the bison today!

Pretty cool stuff - one herd of bison with deer and pronghorn feeding with them. (3 for 1 viewing!!)

I continue on still looking for a coyote.

And then a large dark spot on the ice catches my eye. I find my coyote! He's just laying on the ice.

I continue on. By the time I pass Frary Peak, the north end of the island is in a heavy fog bank again.

But along the way, I do see 3 Chukkars crossing the road.

I head over to the west side and up Bison Point but I can't see anything. So no hike today.

I head back to the causeway. The fog is a bit lighter at the causeway. I start across but stop at the open water. There's a Bald Eagle out there with a couple of ravens/crows.

That eagle definitely has a duck (or bird). I can see him pulling at it. The crows/ravens are also interested in the catch.

Further to the east are two more Bald Eagles. With the crows/ravens around I suspect that they've had a kill as well.

I start to cross the bridge when I see a Peregrine Falcon (I think) on a light pole. He appears to be spying on the Bald Eagles meals.

After crossing the bridge, there's yet another Bald Eagle with a fresh kill - he's definitely eating it. Even his "companions" are sneaking some morsels.

Four Eagles today, I certainly can't complain. I'm half wondering if the reduction in duck numbers is due to the Eagles. Perhaps they got smart and moved on or ...... Hmmmm....

He greeted me on the way in and he also says good-bye.

Awesome day!