When I leave my house it's cloudy (inversion) but the clouds are higher so visibility is pretty decent -- I can see the mountains thru the haze.
As I near my exit something happily strange occurs; there's a big hole in the clouds and I see glorious blue sky!! Yea!
I'm in that blue sky hole until I reach the causeway where I slowly exit into greyness is as I cross.
As I cross, I quickly see one Kestrel perched near the gate and another not to much farther down the road.
Even though it's grey, it's nice to be able to see the snow, ice and ground on both sides of the causeway. Hey, I can even see Antelope Island today!
Lots of ducks in the open water near the bridge with the town of Syracuse/Layton in the background.
But no Bald Eagles this morning.
I reach the island and head south to the Ranch. (It's 21 degrees with a light wind.)
Coming down the hill from the 1st viewpoint, surprise, the bison are finally back on the north side of the island! I see 5 near the top of a hill. Yea!
As I near the mountains before the White Rock ridge, I see something out of place near a small ridge - they're 4 buck feeding!
Continuing on past Frary Peak, I see a Porcupine in a tree alongside the road. I can't help but stop to get a better look. He's a cutey!
Nearing the Frary Homestead, I see a small herd of bison in the distance on the slopes.
And not too much farther, a larger herd.
So nice to see they returned to the east side of the island!
Still farther along, there's another small group of bison on a hill near the road. As I pass them I look down towards the shoreline. Hey, there are Pronghorn down there! I back up for a better look.
Shoot how did I miss that Pronghorn, he's so near the road! (Guess I was looking the other direction.)
I continue on to the Ranch. Across from the Ranch in the distance is another very large herd of bison!
And to the south of the Ranch are 2 small groups of deer. I'll have to check them out.
As I walk to the 1st herd near the wooden fence, a guy tells me the farther group of deer are very large buck. Cool!
I head down an access road to view the 4 doe at the fence.
And then continue down the road to check-out those buck! Big guys!
Time to head back north for my hike.
On the way back, I can't find those Pronghorn. They've got to be there ... somewhere.
And those 4 deer up on that small ridge, well they are on top of the hill now; perfectly silhouetted against the sky. And they are some impressive buck!!
Time to hike the Gravel Pit Trail (4.4 miles). Still cloudy, still only 27 degrees but slightly more windy. I start off on the trail. A bit surprised that the trail is icy but there is still snow on the ground.
Seeing lots of paw prints, I'm sure some of them are dogs but I know others are coyote as I see their scat. I also find icy Chukkar tracks.
As I pass behind the corrals, I see a group of 5 bison. (Quite possibly the same 5 I saw earlier this morning.)
As I near, they are well aware of me (and not liking it) as their tails are up.
But I pass without issue.
It's quiet on the trail - no birds, no sounds other than my crunching footsteps.
I'm less than 1/4 mile from Point when I see another herd of bison not that far from the trail. Boy are they scattered a bout today!
After passing them, I head up to Beacon Knob. Once there, stop for a quick down down towards a hazy Frary Peak.
Time to head back pass the 1st herd of bison and as I round the corner I see snowy mountain peaks!! (The blue sky hole is still out!) Fantastic!
I make my way past the 2nd herd and back to my car.
Great day but it's time to go home!
