April 9 - Spring Snow on Antelope Island

Well, winter hasn't quite left even though it's officially Spring. Got 3 inches of snow last night; looks beautiful on the trees and bushes this morning. The mountains got around 2ft, pushing the snow totals to over 500 inches (511 to be somewhat exact)!!!

Heard the nasty, swarming, biting gnats have hatched on Antelope Island which would normally end my early hiking season there. But with the snow and cold temps, I'm thinking the bugs will be frozen or buried so it's worth one more hike.

So off I go heading north to Antelope Island. It's almost 9am when I leave and hasn't even started to melt at by house but as I head north, there's no snow on the ground. They definitely got snow because I can see it on the mountains of Frary Peak and the foothills (to the east). But the sun is shining  more up here than in the city.

I arrive on the causeway -- the dreaded "No-see-Ums have hatched" sign is posted on the entrance station -- but it's really windy (from the West) --- there will be no insect problems today!!

Nice to see snow on the island's mountains again.

Lots of Gulls flying around and several new ducks. I try to take a photo but every time I roll-up, they fly. :(

The water on both sides of the causeway is a bit rough due to the wind.

Like normal, when I reach the island I head towards the Ranch. I don't have to travel far when I see a small herd of Pronghorn (I see 3) reflecting brightly in the sun and bright green grass.

Nice start to the day.

I continue on

It isn't till after Frary Peak that I spot something strange in the tall grasses near the shore. At first, I think they are 2 deer but on closer inspection; they are Sandhill Cranes!!

The rest of the drive is void of animals except one large hawk; he flies before I can get a good look.

The drive is pretty though.

I'm almost at the Ranch when I see a decent size herd of bison near the mountains.

There are a few Pronghorn hiding among the bison.

I reach the Ranch and start my walk. It's barely 40 degrees and that wind is blowing very cold.

There's another herd of bison again out near the mountains.

The wind is blowing so hard, I can barely hear the Larks singing.

At least there's a nice snowy mountain view ahead of me.

When I stop to take a photo at the Sentry Peak trail head,

I'm surprised by a Pronghorn!!! No, two Pronghorn!!

As I watch, they eventually prance away to the east.

I start my way to Mushroom Springs heading directly into the wind. I brought a light winter coat, a fleece and gloves but I didn't bring anything for my ears; they are freezing!!!

There are a couple of bison out in the grass to the south.

I reach the Springs and head north. The mountains help protect a bit from the wind but it's still there. There are a few blooming flowers.

I make it up one little hill when the wind hits again.

Time to turn around. :( It's a little hike at least.

On the way back, I stop at the little pond near the Springs.

As I crest the little hill, I startle a Mallard pair -- off they go. Also, I scare a Kildeer.

I continue back to my car and then head back north up the island. I find another Kildeer on my way back to the car.

Since I didn't get to the Sentry Peak ridge, I head up to the Frary Peak parking. Looking for good views

and new plants.

Nothing new on the way up other than that herd of Pronghorn (eight now) have moved to the other side of the road.

I head west to complete the loop around the Visitor's Center (and hopefully find some more bison). Instead I find a lone Pronghorn.grazing southeast.

I climb to the Buffalo Point parking. Can't help but one last glimpse of White Rock Bay.

No bison in the White Rock meadow; a few down by the shoreline.

I complete the loop and head back across the causeway. Along the way, I see one Goshawk flying west. And some Coots!

Good day!

April 2 - Wild Basin Creative Research Center

Big storms rolled through this morning but by noon the sun is shining and we off for my final day in Austin TX.

Heading to the Wild Basin Trail which is the "hill country" of TX (still in Austin by on the west side). Wild Basin is St Edwards (local university) Research Center and consists of 227 acres within the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.

The biggest loop, the Yaupon Loop, is 1.75 miles and its the one we are heading out on today. (There's a total of 2.25 miles of trail -- smaller loops.)

We're not more than a few feet down the trail when we see our first critter, a rabbit.

The butterflies are out too -- I'm seeing Buckeyes

Many Little Wood Satyrs

A Gray Hairstreak

And plenty of Dun Skippers.

There were other flyers too: Variegated Frits, Dainty Sulphers, Snout, and Monarch.

The trail is of course very muddy in spots but the scenery is good and varied. And after an initial flat portion, we heading downhill.

Soon we come to our first creek crossing. The creek is definitely higher because of the rains but with some quick well-placed feet, we both get across the rocks with dry shoes. We veer off onto the Creek Trail (aptly named because it follows the creek) and soon startle a deer crossing the creek.

We continue along until we meet the creek again. Unfortunately, the creek is flowing over all of the rocks -- there's no way to get across with getting wet. In the name of dry shoes (and I've already bought a dry pair because of yesterday's hike), we decide to head back and continue on the Yaupon Trail.

Many more Little Wood Satyrs along this portion of the trail.

In another 1/2 mile, we're back at that creek; easy crossing though. Seeing more Dun Skippers!

And this beautiful bright red-orange dragonfly (Flame Skimmer)!

One more creek crossing (and some waterfalls)

And the other.

With some turtles present.

We complete the loop! Great little hike!

And the final stop of the trip, Zilker Botantical Gardens. Beautiful gardens but not much blooming yet. Favorite garden for me is the Prehistoric -- lots of large Palms (with a few dinosaurs thrown in).

A few butterflies flying here too -- Black Swallowtails and a Tropical Leafwing!!

Many turtles swimming in the ponds -- including this baby.

Nice ending to a wonderful trip.

April 1 - Lady Bird Lake, McKinney Falls, and Longhorns!

Cloudy morning but we're off early returning to Lady Bird Lake but starting a bit west at Butler Park. Easy finding parking this morning.

Beautiful park with small ponds, boardwalks, ... and a wonderful view of the city.

More Red Eared Slider Turtles in the ponds here.

We slowly make our way through the dog park --- lots of dogs running around well, being dogs this morning. I'm watching some ducks on the lake when I hear a big splash. I look up and see a dog paddling out to the middle of the lake. I see the ball that he's after but he doesn't as he slows and starts looking around. Soon he finds its and shoots after it like a rocket. He paddles to shore and waits for his owner to toss the ball again. (So cute!)

We had off west down the trail. Tons of people out this morning; walking, jogging and biking. Nothing really too exciting so after about 1.5 miles, we had back and off to our next adventure at McKinney Falls State Park.

We arrive and are greeted by a mass explosion of Blue Bonnets (TX state flower)!!!

We proceed to the Lower Falls parking. It's only a short walk to the river area -- but first we have to cross this rock moonscape.

Would need a LOT of rain for this to be covered by river!

We standing on top of the falls and its really pretty.

Unfortunately, the trails are on the other side of the river. Yes, that means walking thru the water (and a day of wet socks and shoes) but we head across and start the 3.1 mile Homestead Trail. It's very green - grass and trees. There's a few flowers around

but just mostly green vegetation. We pass the old McKinney Homestead earlier on as we head clockwise around the loop.

We do scare up a small herd of deer -- just see white tails moving quickly thru the woods. And I see 2 Roadrunners moving thru one of the open areas.

The best part of the trail is the last 1/4 miles where is opens up and there are catcus

and Paintbrush.

I even find a Red banded Hairstreak on one of the flowers!

We finish the loop, re-cross the river and head to the Upper Falls area.

From the parking area, there is basically no walk and we're on top of the Falls.

There are a few people jumping off the Falls but most are just poking around. Since our feet are wet, we cross the stream to the other side.

While standing there, I see a Giant Swallowtail fly by and of course, land on the other side. (Oh well!) There's also a Monarch that flies by!

We make our way back and the Giant Swallowtail is still there!!

Well, we're done here and head off to have lunch where I find out my niece really wants to see Longhorn Cattle. So after massive Google search, we're off to the Lyndon B Johnston State Park as they have a herd!!! (It's a little over an hour away to the west.)

Along the way, I'm surprised to see no cattle just goats. But a few miles from the park, we see a small herd of Longhorn along side the road.

As we turn into the State Park, there's another herd of Longhorn not far from the road - we'll be visiting them shortly. At the park entrance, we're informed that there's 2 other Longhorns (7 & 8) that if we're lucky we can get close to, so off we go. We have to track thru the woods to get to them as they were on the far side of the enclosure -- but we were very close. My niece, the cattle whisperer, actually put this guy to sleep :)

On the way back, the butterflies were zipping around: Pearl Crescent, Dainty Sulpher,

lots of Buckeye, a Red Admiral, Monarch, Checkered White and a couple of Reakirts Blues.

There also a bunch of what I think were Black Swallowtails flying; they just never stopped.

We also spot a lizard.

We make our way over to the other herd of Longhorn by the entrance. They are near the fence by the trail. The one is using an old post to block his one nostril and blow his nose -- no kidding!

But my niece get the best experience of all.

They soon move off and so do we.

Awesome day!!

March 31 - Congress Ave Bridge Bats -- Austin Texas

Heading to Austin TX for a long week-end visiting my niece.

After ID'ng the bird that's constantly calling around Austin as a Great Tailed Grackle,

we have some delicious pizza at Home Slice Pizza on South Congress Ave Then we take a short drive up for a walk on the Lady Bird Lake trail in the downtown area. (The lake was created when the Longhorn Dam was created in 1960 on the Colorado River which runs thru town.)

A paved (mostly shaded) trail system surrounds the lake for walking, running, cycling, etc. And the people of Austin heavily use these trails!

The problem for us tonight is finding parking (always fun in a big city). But we do find a hidden unfilled parking lot on the far east side. (yea!)

We head off on the trail west (I think) toward the Congress Ave bridge. Lots of trees keep it cool-ish; it's sunny and in the mid-80s.

We reach a bridge and upon crossing it, see many, many large Red Slider Turtles in the water. I've never seen so many turtles in one place not to mention large ones.

Must be breeding season.

We continue around (probably less than 1 mile) when we reach the bridge. Many, many folks already waiting for this evening's flight.

We head up to the bridge but decide to go back down to the trail beneath the bridge with a decent view. And the waiting begins for dusk.

The bats we're waiting for are the Mexican Free-tailed bats. They start arriving in the Spring. At the peak of summer, there are around 1.5 million bats. Since it's still early Spring, I'm sure we'll be seeing much less.

I think just after 8pm (sunset was at 7:50), we start seeing a few bats against the sky on our side of the bridge. A few of the tour boats on the water are spot-lighting the bridge with red light and soon, here comes the stream of bats on the other side of the bridge. At first, they're are visible in the red light and then the sky! No a sky-blackening amount of them but a good stream (I'm impressed!)

No stream on our side, just random bats flying around some close enough to get a scream out of some folks!

Pretty soon, the bats are all out keeping the insect population around the lake to a minimum!

Definitely, worth the visit!