Crossing the causeway, its sunny and mid-30s. There appears to be more water present on the Farmington Bay side - could be just from all the rain/snow we've had this week.
Many, many more gulls on both sides. And many flocks of birds flying over Farmington Bay - all good signs of Spring.
I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch.
I see my first bison (a small herd of 5) on the north side of the mountain forming White Rock Ridge.
In between, a herd of Pronghorn! (They were here last week as well.)
As I roll past the lone bison, I see a few bison high among the rocks near the White Rock ridge.
Continuing it's well past Frary Peak before I see another herd of bison near the mountains.
As I continue south, I see a deer crossing the road ahead of me. As I drive forward, I see a few additional deer in the sagebrush near the road. I roll up slowly figuring they'll cross to be with their buddy.
Sure enough, another crosses in front of my car.
I wait and the remaining deer cross all in front of my car except one, who crosses behind. Very cool!
There's a few more bison alongside the road.
I continue on to the Ranch. I see no bison near the Sentry Trail so that's my hike. I'm excited; I haven't done this hike in quite some time.
What a beautiful morning with the sunny, blue skies, the snow covered Wasatch Mts, and the Meadow Larks singing out their songs.
As I head west towards Mushroom Springs, I notice a bison herd up on the mountains to the south Sentry Peak (I'll see those guys later in my hike) and 2 bison near the south side of the trail. Oops, these guys are running into a gully. I can't see them; hopefully I can get around them.
The landscape is definitely greening up -- I don't see any flowers yet (perhaps on the ridge).
I complete the flat part and turn the corner to start uphill. Where are those bison?
I see them - they're on a hill and no threat to me - yea!
I head up the hill just a bit but then stop to tie my shoe. I turn to look at the 2 bison and holy cow, the one is running south and there's a baby!! Then the other starts running and it's got a baby! First of the Spring!!
Too awesome! Just curious as why these 2 Moms are not with the herd. Hope they keep the coyotes at bay until they find a herd.
I continue up, across the switchback (great view to the east)
and then back uphill. I'm looking for that bison as I continue higher. They've got to be here somewhere.
I've almost complete the uphill when to my right is the herd! Most are laying down.
I stop and zoom in with my camera hoping to see more babies but they're too far away. But my stopping has made them nervous and they start to stand. And then move west - the direction I'm heading.
I continue up the trail hoping that once they lose sight of me that they'll stop.
I reach the ridge line - fantastic!
And oh, there a small herd to the south not far off the trail. (I think I know where the bison herds are - on the west side birthing babies!!)
The trail heads south for a bit before heading north down the ridge. I'm going slowly because if those bison have continued west, they'll be popping up soon and in my way.
Yep, there's one bison and then another.
They stop and are looking in my direction as I start backing up to give them room. And they keep coming. Yes, I see babies (6 in total)!! Awesome!
I watch the whole herd cross over the ridge, herd up and then start north.
Since they're off the trail I continue south (actually getting closer to the stragglers) and they are watching me.
But before I can cause trouble, it's time to head south to face the other herd. I look and see that all the commotion over here has cause the south herd to move downhill a bit. No worry to me now.
As I cross I find a couple of Spring Parsley.
And see another herd of bison far down the hill.
I get to a point where I believe I'm above that bison herd so I peek over. Yep, they're there and they're very aware of me too!
Behind them is the other herd with babies.
And there's yet another herd as I finish the ridge line.
Time to head down and back to my car.
On the drive back north, I watch a lone Pronghorn crossing the road ahead of me.
And see a Porcupine in a tree.
Back at the White Rock Ridge, the lone bison and the bison herd are still there but the Pronghorn are gone. Perhaps they moved back over the ridge.
As I approach the Visitor's Center, there's now a herd of Pronghorn very near the road.
Awesome day! I so love seeing baby bison!!
