So its more that past time to get back up to Antelope Island to see what birds are along the Causeway and get a peek at those baby bison because they are here!
I arrive before 8am to partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-30s.
Along the causeway, yes, the birds have arrived. I see tons of American Avocets
a couple of Sandpipers?? or perhaps a Willet;
lots of Northern Shovelers and Eared Grebes and of course Gulls.
I reach the island and to left to head down to the Ranch.
As I just passed behind the Visitor's Center, I spot a lone Pronghorn not too far from the road.
And there's a Western Meadowlark right across from me singing up a storm!!
Continuing on, near the start of the Gravel Pit Trail dirt road, I see a car pulled off. Hey, there are a few bison up the hill a bit.
And more on the ridge just to the south. Appears there are bison around trail.
And there a still more just a little south of them.
As I approach the White Rock ridge, I see a herd of Mule Deer marching long towards the north and slowly uphill. Nice surprise!
Around Frary Peak area, I stop again for a singing Meadowlark.
There are a few hawks perched in the trees along the lake bed across from Frary Peak.
And a pheasant running thru the grasses. I only get a quick glimpse of him and his long tail.
Pretty quiet for a bit when I see a little herd of bison ahead. I'm hoping for Moms and babies but just males relaxing on the lake bed.
And there's a Willet nearby.
As I approach the spot where the bison do like raising their calves, I find bison!! And there are babies!! Really hard to find in the tall grasses but they are there.
There are more bison in the distance along the lake bed. I'm sure there are babies out there too. I'll check on my return.
I reach the Ranch and just continue down the dirt road towards the Sentry Trail parking. Behind the parking area is another herd of Mule Deer. This is definitely the Ranch herd as they have blue ear tags which I remember from earlier.
I continue along until I reach the end of the road, turn around and head back to the Ranch.
There are only a couple of cars so I decide to see if I can find one of the Great Horned Owls.
I get to the wooded area and there's a guy with a long camera lens pointed into the trees. He indicates there's an owl. I don't want to get near him so I look around in the woods without and luck. And then head out of the fenced area behind and old building (the guy is in front of the building). I'm looking in the trees and success!!
(I still hope the other is on the nest and if so, the nest should be nearby.)
Time to head north!
I stop again to check out the bison herd. Yep! Babies!
I'm out of my car and turn to head back in when a herd of Pronghorn coming sprinting down the hill on the other side of the road in back of me.
They turn left and sprint at an angle past me on the hillside.
It looks like they will cross the road in front of me but there are bikers coming. They stop, clearly nervous and start backtracking.
After the bikers pass, they reverse direction and cross the road running through the grasses and are heading towards the bison.
How cool was that!! (Right place, right time!!)
I move my car up and bit to keep searching the bison herd for babies.
And then it's time to move on.
Just past the viewpoint, I see a lone Chukkar on a rock.
I reach the north side of the island and see that lone Pronghorn again. But he's not alone now. There's one other visible!
I cross over to the west side of the island and am immediately greeted by one bison on the right and 4 on the left.
Just before the Bison Point turnoff, there are two bison on the right and a long bison on the left crunching grass along the side of the road. Love to hear that sound!!
I turn right towards the White Rock trail. There's 3 bison on the left and I see some in the distance along the actual White Rock Trail.
Great day so far!! Time to head home!
No comments:
Post a Comment