Jan 4 - Gravel Pit Trail (Antelope Island)

A partly sunny day with temps in the mid-30 predicted but it's cloudy and 30 degrees when I leave my house around 8am this morning. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike the Sentry Trail (hopefully) today. As always, it depends on sunshine.

By the time I arrive on the causeway, there's some blue sky to the northwest - there's hope.

As I start across the causeway, there's a Kestrel perched on a sign. He has breakfast (mouse/vole) in his talons.

I also see a large hawk that just landed on the ground. I circle back for a photo.

Continuing on and nearing to the island, I see a large black spot on the Salt Lake side. It's a Bald Eagle!!

A bit farther along, there's another Bald Eagle on the Farmington Bay side.

(Sure wish I knew what this where doing on the ice; perhaps they got a fish and carried it to there resting spots.)

There's still just a few ducks near the island; not sure where they are this winter.

I arrive on the island and head south.

There are a few bison before the fence; they are there on New Year's Eve.

And a few more just before the rocks.

Happy to see that the Gravel Pit gates are open again; hoping they stay that way.

I find another hawk in the trees after Frary Peak

a couple of Porcupines and what looks like a Goshawk.

And hey, there's a coyote out on the lake bed!!!

Continuing, I see some bison against the mountains.

I arrive at the Ranch and see the biggest herd of bison of the day just south of the Sentry Peak trail.

Unfortunately, it's still cloudy so I decide to hike the Gravel Pit; it's shorter if the sun doesn't come out (and it's closer to the blue skies).

I head back north spotting the same coyote still trotting south.

I reach the Gravel Pit trail and start up. Once up the switchbacks, I see a group sized herd of bison on the plateau. It appears they are not close to the my trail but time will tell.

In the meantime, at Puma Rock, I spot the brine shrimp fishing boats on the Salt Lake.

Quiet walk, just the crunching of my feet on the mix of dirt/sand/ice.

That herd of bison is far away but there's another herd that is probably an issue for me to get to Beacon Hill. Again, I'll know soon.

I reach the end of the Gravel Pit trail and connect with the White Rock Trail on the way to Beacon Hill. I know there are bison somewhere ahead and am on high alert.

I round the corner and there's the herd ahead of me and yes, they are much to near the trail for me to continue. :(

Time to retreat.

On the way back down the switchbacks, I stop to listen to some coyote yipping/yapping in the distance to the east.

I do hear another coyote join in that's farther south. Always cool to hear!

Back at my car, I head to the east side, spotting 4 deer (I assume doe back they are feeding and I can't see their heads) in the sagebrush near Bison Point. Yea!

Good day!