Dec 13 - Antelope Island

 Partly sunny with the temps at 19 degrees when I left for Antelope Island. My hope is to hike Sentry Peak - but it's cold.

I arrive at the causeway and it's 20 degrees and the sun is just cresting the mountains.

I quickly spot a Northern Harrier (??)

and a Kestrel.

Lots of ducks in the open water near the bridge -- everything else is frozen.

There's still a little dusting of snow remaining from yesterday morning's snow.

The area behind the Visitor's Center is animal free.

Hmmm, they have the road to the Gravel Pit trail closed.

I do spot my first critter - a lone bison - downslope and rounding the curve past the 1st pull-off.

And then, surprise, there's coyote starting up toward Beacon Hill.

I see 3 porcupine in the trees across from Frary Peak. (FYI: the road to Frary Peak is closed.)

Farther along and behind a hill I spot a big herd of Pronghorn - always fun to spot.

And then there's a small herd of bison in the sagebrush.

Arriving at the Ranch, I see a deer in the distance. Closer look reveals it's a large buck!

And after waiting a bit, looks like he has a mate -- how sweet, they both have blue ear tags!

There are no bison near Sentry Trail (finally) so I gear up and start off. But my camera is now saying memory card failure and my feet are already cold -- it's more clouds than sun at this point -- so I head back to my car. Yes, a bit disappointed because I really wanted a hike. So back north I go.

Well, that little herd of bison is now a huge herd on the west side of the road -- I had to have missed them on my way to the Ranch. But there are bison still crossing that are from my original herd.

I'm back on the causeway and probably more than 1/2 way across when I see a Bald Eagle and a crow/raven. Crud my camera is dead -- I try anyway and yea, it's no longer reporting errors!!

They have breakfast and at times the Crow/Raven sneaks away a few morsels. Lots of wing waving goes along with that. (I wish my photos came out - just not enough light for action & zoom).

Looks likes a ducks as it appears the eagle is throwing feathers and it looks like he is holding a wing.

At one point, another Bald Eagle flies in - how cool!

The second lands not too far away. After a bit, the eagle with the catch, flies past the 2nd eagle and continues eating!

Love it!!

My camera begins reporting errors again so it's time to go.

My hiking disappointment is no longer - if I hiked, I would not have witnessed this.

Great day!