I arrive just before 8am. Crossing the causeway, I'm seeing lots of gulls and avocets. And I'm surprised to find more water in Farmington Bay than I expected - that's a good thing!
I head south down towards the Ranch. Boy it's a great day for a hike here but just not possible. :(
I see one bison in the distance before I reach the first turn. I don't see another one until I find a lone bull across from Frary Peak in the green grasses.
It isn't until after the Frary Homestead before I see more bison; a decent size family herd up against the mountains.
There are more on the other side of the plateau and some on the other side of the street. Those on the east side of the road and marching south.
Not much farther of the road, the Ranch is in sight and this is where all the bison are. There's a large, long herd marching towards the Ranch and more in the distance down near the Sentry Trail parking.
I park at the Ranch and head towards the wooded are to look for the Great Horned Owls but I detour down towards the fence line to watch the bison go by.
Some are heading towards the woods so I only do a very quick look for Owls - don't want to run into a bison in there!
I then head south towards the Sentry Trail past a long line of bison. They continue all the way to the end of the accessible road. I get out to watch them. Wish I knew where they are going but it south.
I think about a quick hike to Mushroom Springs but there are a couple of bison there so I just continue north to hopefully find some Burrowing Owls or Pronghorn.
I roll up the hill where I've seen Burrowing Owls once and wow, there are a several owls out! I stop and enjoy! First time I've ever seen the babies!! Woo hoo!
I count 7. There are 2 houses so I think there are 2 families but not sure if the owlets are from one family or both. Very cool!
I continue north and over to the west side of the island. Hey, there's a lone Pronghorn in the field behind the Visitor's Center!
I check for more Pronghorn/Owls under Bison Point but find nothing.
So I head to check out owls behind the Visitor's Center. Unfortunately, there's a group of kids on bikes parked where the owls usually are but I find one a bit farther north.
I really want to check the other spot so I turn around at the Visitor's Center and head back. Thankfully the kids have rolled on and there are Owls! I turn around and watch.
The 2 adults are out with one baby.
I watch the baby drop to the ground. I think he's scared and hundling next to the pole one of the adults is standing on. Soon, he pops out to the side.
There's lots of squawking; I think from the burrow. The adult drops into the burrow for a short period of time. I'm hoping more of the babies hop out. But it's just the one.
Time to move on.
Oh, I see a Monarch fly by - 1st of the year!
Great day!
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