Dec 31 - It's a Wrap!

 Wow! What a totally crazy year!

It's started out a like any other year - goals, dream trip to NW Alaska to see more Caribou, bears, moose, etc booked, made it up to Angels Landing in Zion and Valley of Fire in NV for the 1st time ever. Looking good.

And then the Covid shutdown came and unfortunately stayed. Whether one agrees or disagrees that it was and continues to be overblown, it doesn't matter. It shattered lots of dream, goals, cancelled trips and yes, many (overwhelming the aged) died. 

The working from home, packed trails, paranoia for hiking near so many people/grocery shopping has been personally very hard on me. But I'm plugging forward hoping the vaccine will at least get my life moving forward.

But despite the crap year, it's been pretty good for me in the outdoors. Here are some highlights.

1) After 8 years of hiking the Lambs Canyon trail, spotting my 1st ever Relict Fritillary on the final switchback on the trail (actually there were 3 all in the same still sunny spot. Didn't get a photo but went back a week later and one switchback down in again in the last of the day's sunlight, I spotted one who was very photogenic. (There was another flying in the same area.) Yes!

2) Again after 8 years of hiking the Lambs Canyon trail and again in the last of the days light, I see a snake I didn't know existed - Rubber Boa Constrictor. Yes, a Utah native - way cool!

3) Again after 8 years of hiking the Mormon Trail, spotted both a single Tailed Copper and many Colorado Hairstreaks!! (I also spotted Colorado Hairstreak on 2 separate occasions at Lambs Canyon. They were the first ones in years at that spot.)

4) Camped for the 1st time in the Albion Basin. Need to do that again this year!! (And found out how to make a loop out of the Catherine's Pass hike.)

5) Lots of moose this year (I think 14 of them). That include 3 within a 1/2 mile of the start of the Cardiff Mine trail; 3 in the Mill D south meadow; 4 on the trail to Lake Solitude, 3 on the Mormon trail, Mom and calf on the trail up to Lake Mary.

6) Saw for the 1st time, Tundra Swans in Utah (Little Dell specifically)

7) Heard the ice on Twin Lakes sing -- what beautiful music!!

8) Saw my 1st Utah beaver on Silver Lake

Despite the chaos, it was a good year. Just hoping 2021 brings back the dreams/goals, emptier trails and continued good health.

For 2021 blog see: jeanetteklodzen2021@blogspot.com.

Dec 29 - Sentry Trail

 Cold but sunny morning (just 19 degrees). Heading up to Antelope Island to hopefully hike the Sentry Trail (bison willing).

I arrive on the island and find a Kestrel and Rough Legged Hawk along the causeway.

Closer to the island, I spot a lone Bald Eagle. To the west, I spot another Eagle. This one is at the ice's edge. 

There's an area of open water to the south with more ice on the other side. In the water on the other side are ducks, 2 ravens and something moving. It's a coyote!!

The Eagle must have killed a duck and had it's fill. The Ravens are picking on the rest. The coyote is now moving towards the Ravens. When he gets there, one of the Ravens flies. The coyote gets a meal too!

I move on and find the 3rd Eagle of the morning.

Great start to the day!

I reach the island and head around the north side for something different. No animals around the Visitor's Center. I head into the Bridger Bay campground because there was a recent sighting of a Great Horned Owl. I find no Owl but there are a bunch of bison behind the new campground that is being built.

As I move east, I notice something moving south towards the road. As I drive closer, they're deer; 3 bucks to be exact. One crosses the road and starts feeding along side the road. I watch the other 2 cross as well. Awesome!

I head over to White Rock and find bison still along the trail. Time to head towards the Ranch.

Along the way, I find 7 porcupines including 3 in the same tree (at least it looked like the same tree).

A find a large bison herd farther down the road

I see a couple of cars pull over a bit farther down the road. What are they looking at? Hey, it's 4 deer! Looks like 3 doe and a smaller buck all feeding in the sagebrush not far from the road.

Then there's another bison herd just before rolling up on the Ranch.

At the Ranch, I happy to report the bison have moved a bit north and I can finally hike the Sentry Trail!!!

But first, I check for owls. No luck.

I gear up and start my hike - a bit nippy at 20 degrees but the sun is out and the wind is light.

The bison are about 150-200 yards away

I check for Eagles perched at Mushroom Springs but nothing and continue up the trail.

Quiet walk. 

I run into an inch or two of snow on the 2nd uphill section but the rest of the trail is clear.

Yea! I'm at the top!!

I start south along the ridge; no critters to be seen.

Time to start downhill. 

On the way down, I see I will have company soon - a guy, 2 horses and a dog.

I reach the flat switchback and start across. I'm about 1/2 way across when I notice the horses have stopped and then Whoa! there's a coyote standing on some rocks looking down on the horse! (Probably eyeing the dog I bet.) I'm maybe 50 feet away. I stop to watch!

I finally start to move even closer and the coyote drops over the ridge.

I continue along meeting the guy on the horse. I ask if he saw the coyote; he said "no" but his horses did. His dog is a small Austrian Shepard/Border Collie mix - cutey!

I continue along reaching my car in no time.

Time to head north.

As I round the final corner before reaching the Visitor Center, there's a Bald Eagle soaring above - way cool!

Back along the causeway, I find a Bald Eagle and my Kestrel has lunch!

Awesome day!