Mar 22 - Rattlesnake Gulch/Pipeline Trail (Millcreek Canyon)

It's not the best morning - cloudy with temps barely 40 degrees and there is scattered rain in the forecast. But it's Friday and I'm off so I'm heading up Millcreek Canyon to hike either the Desolation Trail or Rattlesnake Gulch/Pipeline; it's depending on how much snow is still around the Desolation TH.

As I drive up the canyon, the south facing slopes are clear as expected but the north facing slope still have a bunch of snow. I guess I should expect this as we've been below normal for temperatures all year so far.

I roll up to the Desolation TH - way too much snow. I'm sure it's a packed trail but perhaps in a week. I turn around and head back to Rattlesnake Gulch TH.


When I arrive there are only 2 cars in the parking area. Trail is clear - at least at the bottom part. So I head up.

There are sections of the trail that are still packed snow/ice but there's open ground to skirt around them.

The birds are singing this morning. I hear Chukkars, Chickadees, Magpies and Stellar Jays (even see a Jay).

When I reach the switchbacks, I run into more packed snow especially the last short steep climb to the start of the Pipeline trail. Boy, do I wish I brought my YakTrak for the way down.

But on flatter turf now with some great views.

As I walk, I'm searching for Spring plants but they either still underground or just peaking up. The oaks, of course, are not with buds yet either.

But there are plenty of shells.

Still wonder how so many got here.

At one point, I look up and surprise, I find 3 deer! Nice!

I continue along until I reach the Pipeline Overlook of Salt Lake. Pretty gloomy day.

But I can still see Antelope Island out in the distance.

Time to head back.

On the way, I find an ornament (cute) and a nice view of Grandeur Peak.

(Not sure how I missed the ornament the first time; I found deer 100+ feet above, think I could find an ornament on the edge of the trail. Oh well!)

Good day!

Mar 16 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

It's a week-end and it's sunny! Time to celebrate; I can actually go for a pleasant hike! (It's only 30 degrees now, heading for a high in the upper 40s -- Still 10 degrees below normal but I'm taking it!)

Heading up to Antelope Island today to hike with Sentry or White Rock; I haven't decided yet.

I arrive on the causeway and it's 31 degrees with a light wind from the north.

Not many ducks to be seen but the gulls population is definitely on the rise.

When I reach the island, I head south towards the Ranch.

I see a small group of bison as I come down from the first view point. They are high on a hill.

As I pass, I notice what looks like animals on top of a hill.

I have to admit, I didn't know there where Pronghorns up at the top - I thought they were deer.  And the deer are moving downhill at a good pace.

I notice a Pronghorn when I see one running north along the slope. I get a decent look when he stops.

Nice start to the day!

As I approach Beacon Hill, I see a lone bison on the slopes.

Under the White Rock ridge, there are two more bison. Oh wait, below them is a herd of Pronghorn! At least 20 of them!! Very cool!

Continuing on, I see a herd of deer in the area across from Frary Peak.

And a herd of Pronghorn hiding in sagebrush - a few are close to the road.

That's 3 groups of Pronghorn today!

Soon I reach the Ranch -- no bison down here. I wonder where the big herds are. They must have moved south or over to the west side. I guess I'm hiking White Rock today to see if they are in the meadow!

Time to head north.

On the way back, across from the Pronghorn in the sagebrush, there's more of the group on the east side of the road.

Over on the west side of the island, there's a few bison near the road as I pass Bison Point. There are more on the hillside.

But there are no bison near the White Rock Campground.

Lots of cars already in the White Rock parking lot - there'll be a lot of bikes to deal with today.

Lovely hike - the Larks are beginning sing. Their song will only get stronger in the coming weeks.

I see a small herd of bison along the Gravel Pit trail but that's all the wildlife on my way to the White Rock meadow overlook. And at the overlook, just a still snowy Frary Peak but no animals to be seen in the meadow below.

As I work my way down to the ridge, I start looking for signs of Spring as this is a good place to find early signs. And sure enough, I find a very small Wild Parsley!! Yea! (Just one - it's a start.)

As I cross the ridge, I spy on the two bison below - can't find the Pronghorn but they've got to be there somewhere.

I cross the ridge and start down the inner trail. Hey, more signs of Spring -- little Death Camas poking up from the ground!

Nothing exciting happening on the inner trail yet - bugs, flowers, etc

But on the trip north (on the west facing side), bigger Wild Parsley plants!!

With over 500 inches of snow at 3 of the Wasatch Ski Resorts, hoping the snow melt actually fill the Salt Lake up a bit.

I've about completed the loop when I hear Chukkar calls. I look and look and I finally find one standing on a rock.

Continuing down the switchbacks on my way back to my car and guess what, another sign of Spring - 1st Tiger Beetle of the day!

Great day!

March 10 - Antelope Island

Looks like winter out this morning. It's 32 degrees with snow showers, a north wind ... brrr!

Heading out to Antelope Island hoping for a bit better weather as the weathermen said the storm will be south of Davis County (that's where Antelope Island lives).

Unfortunately, it doesn't look much better as I arrive on the causeway. It's cloudy, damp, foggy,  with a couple of inches of snow on the ground. Where's Spring?! (But I have to admit, it does look pretty.) There will be no hiking today - I was just in San Diego; this is cold!

Just a few ducks out on the water this morning.

When I reach the island, I head towards the Ranch.

I find a lone bison climbing up towards the White Rock ridge.

After Frary Peak, there's a guy cruising down the wrong side of the road (I think I've seen him before). I try to see what he's looking at but the only critter I see is a Pheasant as he flies off.

A bit further down the road, I see another Pheasant on the grown briefly before flying off.

Just after that, there's a Porcupine in a tree.

And then I see the coolest thing on the other side of the road. There are 2 Pronghorn in an all out chase thru the grasses heading in my direction. The one being chased pulls out well in front. The chaser stops -- as does the chasee. It's a bit of a stand-off from a minute or so. Then the chaser starts walking toward the chasee.

Then I see a 3rd Pronghorn heading in the direction of the other 2. All of a sudden, the chaser takes off after the 3rd. They are heading toward the road (and me).

As I'm watching them, I see the original chasee take off running south - getting away from a crazy territorial pronghorn. The motion stops the chase. I leave them stopped and a part. Very exciting!

I continue on towards the Ranch. About 1 mile away, I see some bison to the west. It's a super herd!

They stretch about 1.5 miles almost to Mushroom Springs. Cool!

I make a stop at the Ranch and head out to check for Owls. No sighting again today but I do see a Kestrel.

(And plenty of Robins.)

And a lone deer.

Time to head back north. This time across from the bison on the east side of the road, I see 4 Pronghorn moving south.

 Nearing Frary Peak, I see the tiny head of one the Pronghorn (from the chases earlier) as he lays.

I also take a stop at the Frary Peak trail head (the road to the parking lot is now open) looking for rabbits. I don't even see a track in the snow.

On the west side of the island, there's a small group of bison heading for and then crossing the road.

Good day! (Now let's bring in Spring!)

March 6 -Lazy Day in San Diego

It's a sunny morning with temps around 65. It won't last though as there's rain coming sometime in the afternoon. (I thought it never rained in southern CA but we sure have seen it a lot!)

Today is just a lazy day. First stop is La Jolla Cover to enjoy the ocean and find some seals.

Once again, find parking right near the Cove and can immediately hear the barking of the sea lions as we near the ocean.

We reach the ocean and see a couple of the sea lions.

There are also folks in the cove in dry suits snorkeling and lots of bird (looks like cormorants and pelicans) on the cliffs a little farther north. (We'll investigate them later but first we're heading south towards the Children's Cove.)

As we walk south, there are more sea lions some on the rocks

Others surfing the waves to the beach.

Before we reach the Children's Cove,

we pass a bunch of Pelicans on the ridges just off the trail. (There's a few cormorants with them.)

As we reach the Children's Cove, there's Harbor Seals and babies!! Even a squirrel couldn't help watching.

The Cove is closed to protect those pups.

So fun to watch the pups take off swimming like a rocket and Mom track them down.

The Cove may be closed but the sea wall is open and I head down to get a bit closer (just praying I don't get soaked by a wave)

Well, I didn't get wet -- yea!

We don't go further south, instead we head north passed the sea lions and over to the cliffs to the Cormorants (I'm not sure the species but they have blue necks.). Hey, they're nesting. I see birds with 1, 2 and 3 eggs.

And only one nest with chicks - 3 of them!

The sea gulls were trying to get at the eggs but the Cormorants were fighting back (and winning).

We also see people kayaking and a group of swimmers (that's a long swim!)

And more Pelicans

Oh, I can't forget the hummingbird - bright red breast. Not sure what he was doing but he was flying in an upright U shape; back-n-forth several times before zipping off. Pretty cool!

We probably go about a 1/4 mile past the nesting Cormorants before enjoying the views on a bench among tons of nasturium (yellow flowers)

It's finally time to head out. Passing the nesting Cormorants and an Egret,

and the sea lions one last time before heading out.

This might sound crazy but for lunch, we went to an old childhood favorite - Shakey's Pizza. They don't exist in many states anymore so had to seize the opportunity - brought back great memories!

One last stop at Balboa Park

Awesome orchids at the Botanical garden.

where we just wandered around until it started raining again.

Good day - awesome trip!! Sad to see it end. :(

March 5 - Returning to San Diego

My stay in Borrego Springs ends this morning. Despite having to improvise because of 2 trail/canyon closures, it was an awesome trip! Lots of great flowers, tons of Painted Ladies flying, a few Funereal Duskywings and lifer sighting in the Desert Orangetip! (Got 1 of 2 key species.)

I debated this morning about checking out Plum Canyon (it's closed) hoping that perhaps the road to the parking lot is open and I can poke around but San Diego is only sunny until about mid-day and there's things to see there! So I take a very short stop at Hellhole Canyon. Some folks I met earlier said the side canyons might be a good bfly spot.

We leave the hotel around 8 am - sunny skies. Hellhole Canyon trail head is about 1 mile away (and on our way to San Diego). We stop and walk up one of the side canyons.

Yes, full of flowers and no surprise, Painted Ladies flying.

I think we probably only walked in about 1/4 mile before turning around. Would have loved to go farther but it's time to head to ocean!

Besides the Painted Ladies, I get a glimpse of one Funereal Duskywing and a Sphinx Moth!

Time to head up those switchbacks and out of the valley.

I head directly to San Diego with one stop - the Julian Pie Company (yummy)!

Then back on the road to experience curvy road in sunlight this time - great landscape!

The first stop in San Diego is Torrey Pines and the Pacific Ocean!

Lots of people there for week day but we easily find parking down by the ocean. Then we take a nice slow walk down the beach looking at the rocks and shells. (Brought back lovely memories of doing the same at Lake Michigan.)

Afterwards, we walk uphill towards the Visitors Center and some views from the bluffs a couple hundred feet above us.

I take the North trail

that eventually leads to an overlook.

Along the way see more Painted Ladies (not in great numbers but they are flying here) and a little Blue butterfly (I have no clue at the species because it never stopped flying).

And there are cactus in bloom

Poppies

and Paintbrush

The views at the bluff were awesome!

To the north

To the south

Lots of flowers up top

Pretty sweet.

On the way back, I see 2 lizards

and more Ground Squirrels.

After a quick bite for lunch, we're back in downtown San Diego walking along the harbor towards the USS Midway Museum.

We didn't go aboard, just walked around - boy it it big.

On the south side, is a notable WWI statue (the artist just passed away).

And a great tribute to Bob Hope's support for the troops.

Then it started to rain and that ended our exploring for the day.

Good day!