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.
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!
