March 11 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island this morning; it's supposed to be sunny and in the mid-50s today. Perfect day!

Calving season is coming soon as the Park just postponed the closure of the west side trail. There will be baby bison (little reds) and Big Horn sheep running around soon. (Still hoping to see an adult sheep on the island -- quite elusive and they stick to the high/rocky territory.

As I cross the causeway lots of mud flats on the Farmington Bay side; but water on the Salt Lake side. (Still hoping that snow melt coming soon raises the level on Farmington Bay a lot!)

When I reach the water, it's perfectly flat with lovely reflections of the mountains and clouds.

And Frary Peak.

I head south to the Ranch. But quickly stop as there are around 7 Pronghorn behind the Visitor's Center.

When I stop, the sounds of Spring around in the air! (The Western Meadowlarks and Horned Larks are busy singing this morning.)

I stop a the first viewpoint and when I get back on the road, I see about 5 bison grazing among the rocks high on the other side of the road.

A little further down the road, I see a few more bison on top a plateau.

As I saw down the hill, I see a large herd of bison along side of the road.

Up close and personal this morning!

Further along, I see a car pulled off the road and a spot that tends to be good for coyote. I slow down and begin scanning. I see them! Two coyotes -- two bumps in a sea of tall grasses. I get out of my car and cross the run. They appear to be eating something or hunting. The one coyote begins to head north along the bank.

And soon disappears. I can still see the other coyote and walk south to try and get a better view. No such luck. I get back in my car and pull up the road just past the other car, stop and get out. Perfect view!

She's definitely poking around for some morning snacks!

I continue on and soon come upon another car pulled off. Some of the people are looking west and others are looking east. I don't see anything to the west. But to the east, there's another coyote (#3).!

Across the way, is yet another herd of bison on top of a hill.

I reach the Ranch and since the gate to the road is still closed, I park and start may way walking down the road. Soon I spot 2 deer behind the Ranch.

(Pronghorn, Bison, Coyote, and Deer I've got them all today!!)

As I continue to walk down the road, I'm hearing the Larks calling. They seem so near but I'm having trouble finding them. But I finally see one of the Meadowlarks.

Continuing on, I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell fly by.

I reach the actual trail and make my way to Mushroom Springs. I see no animals in the fields this morning.

And no butterflies either -- I'm still hoping they return but after the fire, I just don't know. Still think it's still too early for them to be flying.

I reach the uphill section and as I head up, finally some life - Tiger Beetles!

And black beetles!

There are still some tiny pockets of snow remaining on the slopes.

Not too much singing up here but there are a few Horned Larks flying around.

I almost to the ridge passing thru the sagebrush section that was torched during the fire; there's a slight greening happening here.

I reach the ridge and the lovely views west.

I check for animals down the western slopes but can't find any so I start my way south across the ridge.

Hey! I find my first Spring flower! (Spring Parsley I believe)

Only one I find; although there a few others with buds.

As I pass behind Sentry Peak, I hear Chukkars but can't find them.

Time to head down.

Boy, from up here, I can really see how dry the Bay is.

On the way down, I see a lizard!!

And lovely rolling green hills!

I reach the Ranch and start north up the road. Soon I see a lone Pronghorn walking north.

And see that one of the small herds of bison I passed a few hours ago is really a large herd.

A little further along, I see what could be a small group of Pronghorn. I stop and sure enough, several Pronghorn all bedded down.

That other large herd I passed thru earlier and has a little further north and all are grazing now.

I finally reach the circle road around the Visitor's Center. The Pronghorn are no longer there but a lone bison is.

I head clockwise (to the west). Many small (3-5) herds of bison over here.

The Island Buffalo Grill is open now (yea!), so I have stop for a Bison Burger before heading home.

Wonderful day!

March 10 - A snowy Albion Basin (finally)

Well it's official, I've finally made my way into the mountains only 1 week shy of Spring! This is the first off-Friday that it hasn't rain or snow all winter so I need to seize the opportunity.

It's mostly cloudy but supposed to be in the 60s in the valley.

As I head up Little Cottonwood canyon, the lower portions are pretty clear especially the south facing slopes. I can peak down on the Little Cottonwood Trail, it still has snow; it's shade down there but worth starting to come after work for a quick hike.

Of course, the higher I get, the more snow is around -- I think there's a 130in base at the ski resorts, so there's a lot of snow around.

Little Cottonwood creek is dry at this point; though it may start running soon if these temps stick around.

I pass the Snowbird resort; lots of folks already skiing this morning. And head to the end of the road (and the Alta Ski resort). There's still a good number of parking at the entrance of the summer road.

It's already 49 degrees - lovely weather.

I start my way up the snow covered but groomed summer road. I'm the first one through this morning leaving my tracks on the freshly groomed snow -- I almost feel guilty.

Soon I have an option, continue on the road or head straight up the mountain on a SkiCat track. Up I go!

So pretty and quiet (except for a few chattering squirrels). There's no one around yet (except a cross country ski coming up behind me).

I reach the summer road again, cross and back up the mountain to the meet-up with the summer road again.

I see the road up to Twin Lakes Pass. I do want to get up there in the winter but I just don't have the time today so I continue up the road to the Basin.

Great view down canyon.

And all around.

Just a bit of snow up here :)

I finally start seeing skiers and try to stay out of their way.

Soon I make it to the Basin. Awesome!!

After taking it all in, I start making my way back down.

Awesome day!

March 4 - Snow Canyon and Temple Quarry

Partly sunny morning - there's one pesky cloud that won't move - and it's already in the low 50s. It's going to be a great day!

Heading to Snow Canyon State Park today. It's a beautiful park with red, black and white rolling rock formations some of which are Petrified Dunes.

We arrive around 9:20am and make our first stop at Jenny Canyon Trail. I've never been on this 1/2 mile one-way trail but it's time and a good warm-up.

Wonderful views of the park from the start of the trail.

The trail heads east with the desert landscape towards a huge red rock formations.

Thought there might be some flowers in bloom at the warmer lower elevation but no such luck - at least this location.

Shortly, we reach the little slot canyon - my first ever. It's about 100 ft deep and I enter.

There's a bird - perhaps a dove or raven/crow -- in the slot calling. It's sounds pretty interesting as it echoes in the canyon.

We then continue up to the Jenny Canyon overlook. Well, I think the views from below are actually better than up here.

But the little holes in the rock are pretty cool!

We leave to our next stop - the Petrified Sand Dunes.

Along the desert trail, I find some small pink flowers in bloom!!

Once reaching the dunes, there's no real trail here; you just find your own way up the dunes to some incredible views if you wander around.

From the dunes, we head to our last stop just outside the park - White Rock Amphitheater.

There's a short walk thru the desert (pink flowers here as well)

until reaching the white rocks.

Then it's up the white rocks

To the amphitheater.

Lovely place - can't beat it!!!

On the way exiting the white rocks, we see a butterfly -- looks like a Comma.

Great trip this morning!

We head out for a quick bite to eat. Then then head up to the Temple Quarry Trail in St George. It's a spot unknown for the Desert Orangetip butterfly. And since we saw a Orangetip from afar at Red Cliffs, it's worth the 2 mile walk.

The walk is around a Lava rock quarry that existed from 1871-1874. The large lava rock was used for the foundation and basement walls of the St George Temple.

As we start around, we're seeing and hearing a few birds, including this one with an orange breast. I think is a Say's Phoebe.

A but further, we see 3 hawks doing awesome acrobatic maneuvers in the air --- wondering if they were mating battles. It was really cool to watch. And listen too because I can hear their wings flapping. Great sound!

We continue on but we're not seeing any butterflies. There's lot of green vegetation but still no flowers.

The trail description says the trail is 1.1 miles but I know we walked longer than that. In fact, I think they've made this trail a loop. We turn around -- just not seeing bflies.

On the way back, we're seeing quite a few small lizards.

And nice view in the other direction.

Well that's a wrap for the day and the trip! Fun time!!