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!
