Oct 4 - Gravel Pit (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-80s. Way above normal for this time of year - someday Fall will be here (and hopefully stay). Also, the CA wildlife is also back in the valley; visibility is low.

Passing on a mountain hike today; not sure why but at least I'm getting a hike in. My plan is to hike (or complete) Sentry Trail as always it depends on where the bison are.

It's 54 degrees when I arrive on the causeway. 

The birds are back on the water this morning. Lots of folks out with spotting scopes and binocs looking at them.

I reach the Island and head towards the Ranch. There are scattered lone bison (bulls) behind the Visitor's Center. They like hanging out there.

There's another herd up on the White Rock rim.

I just pass the Frary Peak turn-off when I spot some dark critters against the mountain - deer; at least 4 of them! (One 4-pt buck, small guy for the island)

Not too far away, I see 2 bison out on the lake bed. Before I get to them I see a lone Pronghorn on the other west side.

A bit farther down the road near the Frary Homestead, I see a small group of Pronghorn again on the west side. I can't get a good angle of them for a photo do to the rolling landscape and high grasses - but they're there!!

Less then a mile from the Ranch, I find the large herd of bison. They stretch pass the Ranch to the Sentry Trail parking. 

Another herd on the opposite side.

I can definitely hike the trail today but I'm worried about the bison moving west blocking access to my car so time for Plan B - the Gravel Pit.

I turn around and head north. 

Back near Frary Peak, I see a small group of deer not far off the east side of the road. The lead deer was a small 4 pt buck. Betting this is the herd I saw earlier.

Moving a short distance north (just before the Frary Peak road), I see more deer - maybe 6 of them. One starts to cross the road but a southbound car scares her back with the herd. They all have these raised patches of fur; is this winter fur coming in or bug bites (or other)???

Good for me!

I continue north again spotting the herd of bison on the White Rock rim. Perhaps I can see them on the trail. Not likely because I'm sure they'll scare with one bike or runner going by them but worth a shot. I head to the Gravel Pit trail head. I gear up and head up the trail.

Quiet hike; no critters except grasshoppers, moths and some mosquitoes.

I pass the Beacon Hill trail and head of the White Rock bench. When I get there, 

the bison have moved down slope; I can't find them. Shoot!

Time to head back. On the way back to my car, I see 2 Common Checkered Skipper. They look darker than normal.

And I find a Burrowing Owl box; I've never seen this here before; I must be sleeping when I walk by.

Once done, I head north spotting 3 Pronghorn; one on the lake bed laying down

and the other two grazing. They are being watched but the scattered bison bulls.

I head over to the west side. There are scattered bison here too.

Deer, Pronghorn, Bison = great day!