Along the causeway, the frozen icy-ness is gone - we've finally had a few days of near 50 degree days.
No Kestrels along the causeway this morning but I do get a good view of a hawk - perhaps a Northern Harrier.
With all the ice pretty much melted, I'm not surprised that there are no Bald Eagles visible. Just bigger open water holes and many ducks. (Though they are not as concentrated in one area - more open water.
As always, I head directly towards the Ranch.
It's another quiet drive; waiting until well past Frary Peak before I see more first 2 bison of the day.
About a 1/2 from the Ranch, I'm rolling up on a herd of bison that just crossed the road to the western side. So nice to see bison up close and on a drive.
(And there's still a few on the other side of the road too.)
They are moving westward. (Perhaps towards that small herd on the mountainside.)
I haven't did a Great Horned Owl check in several weeks. It's a bout mating season - perhaps the pair is back. (I haven't seen one since Nov 3.)
There are deer on my way around.
But unfortunately, still no owls. I think there's been a pair here for about 15 years; the streak maybe broken. :(
My plan was to hike but it's windy and a cold wind; so I'm being wimpy and just enjoying the drive. Perhaps, I'll go up Bison Point.
Before heading back to my car, I look south and there's a decent size bison herd out well south of Sentry Peak - just little black dots.
Time to head north and over to the west side.
Well, there's a couple of bison at the base of Bison Point.
And as I turn on the road up to the Bison Point parking, yea! Pronghorn!! They are one the south side and not far up the road. I quickly turn around and head over to the White Rock, I can see them better there.
Most of the Pronghorn are on the north side of the road but a few have crossed over. There are a couple right next to the road
(never noticed their little black tuffs of hair over their eyes).
I've heard bison eating vegetation lots of time but this is the first time for the Pronghorn (very exciting).
I even get to watch one cross the road right in front of my car.
Well, it's time to leave them along and head up to the Bison Point parking and then up the trail.
The trail is pretty clear until I get to the switchbacks where it gets snowpacked and icy. As I head up I heard a bunch of Chukkars. There they are not far from me - four of them - making lots of noise.
Then off they fly.
And then another larger flock of perhaps 20 a little farther away fly.
But I still hear Chukkars. Must be the hot area for them today.
I reach the top
and because of the wind, head down pretty quickly.
I look for the Pronghorn on my drive down and they are all on the south side of the road. There are 2 of them just chasing each other round and round the herd for what seems like a couple of minutes. Pretty funny!
And there are a few bison not too far away.
