Finally had a night in the 50s again and the weather is saying Antelope Island has a high of 78 today. I really don't believe that high as Salt Lake is supposed to be 90 degrees. But willing to take a chance to get my Antelope Island "fix" (it's been awhile). The next concern is the biting swarming gnats; rumor says they are gone once we get a few days over 90 degrees -- that's happened numerous days already. So time to head up to Antelope Island (worse case, it will be a car safari - done that before with great success too!)
Beautiful day - cloudless blue sky and sunny. It's 65 degrees when I leave my house around 7:15am. When I arrive, it's still 65 degrees on the island.
A bit disappointed to see dry lake bed as I drive along the causeway - over 600 inches of snow this winter (a bit above normal), roaring snowmelt filled creeks and rivers, reservoirs all "full" and the lake bed still dry. Where is all river water going?! Guess we'll need several more of "this" winter to really help.
But on the bright side, there are puddles of water large enough for plenty of sea gulls and shore birds.
Oops, photo bombed by a seagull.
And as I drive along, the lake water does appear about 1/2 way across the causeway which is a positive.
I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch to get my hike started.
There's several bison (males) while still behind the Visitor's Center. I pull off because one on the left is rolling in the dirt creating a dirt cloud. There's a bison on the right side of my car (20-25 yards away) but I keep an eye on him as I cross the road. The far bison is doing a lot of grunting (can't miss the sound), then he decides it's time to take a roll in the dirt as well.
Creating a dust cloud as well.
He stands (still grunting).
And stares down the other bison. Somehow I think this is a power challenge between the two. I watch for a while waiting for something else to happen but it's just a stand-off so far....so I move along.
Those are the last animals I see for quite a while...past Frary Peak...past the "good" coyote ground, .... just seeing lots of dry vegetation as one would expect in Utah in the summer.
Along the shore of the lake bed, although water-less, is very green which is a stark contrast surrounding area. Scanning the green areas for animals but still seeing none.
As I roll up on the Frary Homestead, I see 2 deer (both doe)! As I stop, they take off running to the north. Finally!!!
I continue onto the Ranch -- they finally have a steel roof on both sides of the barn and the out buildings. It's nice to see as it's coming up on a year since the tornado blew thru. And it's days away from the one year anniversary of the big wildlife. Got to say, nature has done it's thing and the island has recovered nicely.
I head past the Ranch to the Sentry Trail parking area - I'm hiking the Sentry Trail today (5.5 miles) - time to walk thru the burned area again and check the recovery.
As I exit my car, I hear bison grunts but can't seem to find any bison. Strange, where is that noise coming from?
I start up the trail. I see a Checkered White still warming up this morning.
And a few Clouded Sulphers. I don't think these guys survived in the fire area but just flew in from across the road which was not burned.
The dragonflies are out too.
About half way to Mushroom Springs, I see 2 critters standing in the meadow in the distance -- Pronghorn!! As soon as I stop, they start running - one in my direction which seems odd. They are having babies this time of year. Perhaps she has one and is running towards it or from it to conceal the location. She does eventually stop.
Continuing on
I soon see another spot in the distance low to the ground -- it's a male pronghorn resting.
All of them are at the start of the trail so I think they've come from the area across the street that was not part of the fire last season.
I come up on Mushroom Springs - they've got some big machinery at the Springs, not sure what they are doing but it's big!
Just past the Springs, I find another Checkered White.
I continue up. Seeing a fair number of flowers - mostly white Yarrow and these flowers.
As I head up, I find the source of what I thought was a bison snort while exiting my car -- there's a huge bison herd down the dirt road along the shoreline. This must be where most of the Moms and calves are. Will have to drive and check them out when I finish my hike.
Along the way, I manage to scare 2 Chukkars as I turn a corner. The one flies (don't think I've ever seen one fly before). And the other head up the trail making lots of noise. Never do find him again.
Just before I get to the flat switchback, I see a lone bison laying off on the hills.
Crossing the switchback, I get great views of the still dry lake bed. :(
I find more butterfly life up here - Painted Ladies.
Time for the last uphill part. This initial section is usually pretty good from lizards and it certainly doesn't disappoint today.
Lots of grasshoppers and other flying insects out today including this one - looks a bit like a Robber Fly.
It's been pretty quiet out today but I do find some Horned Larks and this Meadowlark -- definitely a well-used perching spot.
I pass thru what I called "Mars" after the fire last year (barren barren landscape). It too is recovering -- wonder how long it will take for the sagebrush to return.
I finally reach the crest -- awesome view!
And a great breeze - quiet refreshing!!
I head south down the ridge -- lots of lizards up here.
On the trail, I see hoof prints - probably Pronghorn (if not, deer).
And I catch up with a Moth.
And a couple of Horned Larks.
I pass behind Sentry Peak and start my way along a short cut horse trail and soon reach actual trail.
I head off trail to get a better view down to the east...there's male Pronghorn and boy is he big!!
He is not pleased to see me, lots of snorting/huffing. Soon he takes off on a trot to the south.
Then he stops, snorts some more and trots further south before stopping again.
After a few more snorts, I decide to continue down the trail.
I reach the flat switchback again and the bison is still laying down on the hill.
The huge herd of bison below have moved on...actually they moved north not far from where my car is parked. That will make for some good viewing soon.
Soon I pass Mushroom Springs again. I look for those 3 Pronghorn but I only find one - the male, still laying down.
I reach the parking area and head to the fence to see the bison. Lots of dust flying from wallowing bison! Many babies as well.
The bison are spread out along the shoreline. There's bison to the north of me and south down the dirt road.
There's also excitement along the fence as there is a Killdeer calling (protecting her nest). I watch her lay in a "nest" for moments
before walking away calling. She heads to yet another spot, lays down for moments, gets up calling. Fascinating to watch but I'm definitely disturbing her so it's time to move on.
I decide to head south along the dirt road as there are more bison down there. Many on the left side of the road. And one group crossing the road in front of my car!
And I see another Pronghorn (may be one I saw earlier, may be not).
I reach the end of the road, turn around and head back up the island.
On the way up around the Frary Homestead, I see a male Pronghorn - that's #4 for the day (possibly 5).
And I locate a bison lying near Frary Peak. And one more enjoying a drink from one of the water bins.
I reach the Visitor's Center area (and the bison I saw when I first arrived on the island) and head to the west side. I'm checking for more animals but seeing none. I head up towards Bison Peak but stop at the first pull-off for a view towards White Rock.
Then I head past the beach area and towards the Visitor's Center. This is the spot I saw my one and only Burrowing Owl last year; I've had such a great day today.....and it just went to Awesome as I see a Burrowing Owl!!!!!
I watching for a bit, I continue around the Visitor Center seeing 2 more Pronghorn.
Time to head home.
Incredible day!
