It's 27 degrees when I pass thru the gate. The sun is still rising over the mountains. There are some low clouds over the frozen Farmington Bay but they are moving away. Behind them are blue skies!
I'm nearing the bridge so it's time to start looking for that Bald Eagle who seems to be making his home out on the ice (I've seen him for several weeks now). I don't have to look hard to see the large black spot out on the ice near some open water - it's the Eagle!
It looks like a reddish tone at the water's edge so perhaps he found breakfast this morning! (Hard to tell though as I'm looking in the direction of the rising sun.)
I'm just about ready to take off when whoa! There's another eagle swooping in and lands near the other. A bit of wing flapping and lots of eagle calls (love their calls) and they settle in side by side. Very cool!
I continue on to the docks and surprise - another Bald Eagle. This time perched on a pole and he is eating breakfast!
I stay and watch for a bit and then suddenly he takes off
landing on another pole a little farther north. What a great start to the day!
I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.
It's a very quiet drive this morning. Other than 3 bison after Frary Peak, it isn't until I'm about a mile or two from the Ranch (10-11 miles in) before I see 4 Pronghorn running west in front of a car and up a hill. Thankfully, they stop once they are on the hill for me to catch up.
I continue onto the west parking of the Ranch as I want to look for more Pronghorn or other critters. Sure enough as soon as I roll into the dirt lot, I see a herd of 9 deer almost in single file line moving east towards the Ranch's fenced garden. It's a single buck and his harem.
A few of them hop over the fence in search of some food while the others continue east along the fence line.
Time to head back north to start my hike.
As near the hill where I saw the 4 Pronghorn, I see little while dots in the distance above the terraced land.
Yep, Pronghorn!
(I can see the 4 I saw earlier still east and north of the herd. But they are moving toward the herd.)
Also, finally, a herd of bison is just north of the Pronghorn. Always nice to see different animals is the same area.
I continue up the island and over to the west side of the island. Definitely more bison over here. There are a few under Bison Point, a few along the road towards White Rock campground and more along the White Rock trail.
Many cars already in the parking lot -- folks out enjoying a wonder January day.
I start the hike in the clockwise direction passing the herd of bison who, for the most part, are all taking naps.
The trail is a mix of frozen mud, ice, and packed snow but not difficult walking.
Views are good but the animals are scarce until I finally find a herd of Bison across from Beacon Knob.
Onward to the White Rock meadow overlook for a nice view of Frary Peak.
No bison herds in the meadow. :( But perhaps, there's some deer or Pronghorn along the hillsides.
I work my way down to the ridge, across it and then onto the inner trail.
I'm about 3/4 of the way down the inner trail when I see deer entering a gully!
Awesome! It's a herd of 5 or 6 - one looks like a female and one is definitely a male. They are grazing thru a small gully and out the other side.
(One a closer look, it's a herd of males.
The one that I thought was a doe, appears to be a very young male with just antler knobs.)
I continue on seeing 2 bison in the White Rock meadow near the trail below. And that possible brine shrimp boat is out on the Salt Lake west of the White Rock.
Time to head north back to my car stopping only to listen to the Chukkars - just can't find them in rocks.
And then it's time to head home.
I check for the Bald Eagle near the docks but I can't find him.
I cross the bridge and look for those 2 eagles. Surprise, I not only find 2 eagles, I find 4!! The one closest to the highway is a juvenile.
There's an adult a bit southeast of him.
And way in the distance are 2 more adults together.
Very cool!
Only thing I'm missed today was a Kestrel. Opps! Spoke too soon; I pass one perched on a sign near the pay booth.
Incredible day!
