Nov 23 - Gravel Pit Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island this morning to hike the Sentry Trail (if the bison that were there have moved away). It's supposed to be sunny and near 50 today.

Along the causeway,

I see a Norther Harrier perched on a road sign but it flies as I near; the white bar on his tail clearly showing.

When I arrive on the island, it's 32 degrees and cloudy. (boo!)

I heading down to the Ranch like normal. I see no animals behind the Visitor's Center; my first sighting is a lone bison along the mountain side after Frary Peak.

A bit farther down the road, I find 4 in a gully in the mountains.

There are also a couple of cars with spotting scopes pointed at the mountains but I don't see anything.

I continue on expecting the bison to still be near the Sentry Trail but as I pull up, there are no bison! Perhaps they've moved south or over to the west side. Hmmm.

my thought of hiking the Sentry Trail comes to an end as the gate on the dirt road is now closed. The trail now starts at the Ranch and is a mile longer. I'll pass today since it's still cloudy and only in the low 30s; I normally don't hike in this weather.

So I turn around and head back north. I do spot a larger herd of bison along the mountain side and a large brown hawk perch in a tree.

I stop at the Gravel Pit trail. It's not the weather I prefer but I'm here and there's no wind so I start up the trail. Thankfully, no bison in the pit today! :)

I coming up on the Lizard Rock and noticing 4 bison in the distance when I see something out of the corner of my eye - it's a coyote! He's standing on a large rock with the blue sky behind him. What a beautiful animal covered in his puffy winter fur. I only get a quick look before in walks off the rock and disappears into the grasses. Way cool! (I haven't seen a coyote in quite some time!)

I continue on towards the bison. They're laying down and if they stand up, I'm turning around. But they never move an inch and I pass by without any issue.

I continue along and am on the last stretch before the turn to the Point when I see another bison laying in the distance.

As I pass, I notice that he has a buddy out there also laying in the grasses.

I reach my turn and head up the little hill and to the overlook.

After a quick stop, time to head back.

And hey, the sun is finally coming up!

I looking for those 4 bison but I don't see them until I'm parallel to them. They are hidden behind the dead stems of the sunflowers. Kinda surprised me!

They are still laying down.

There are 4-5 horse back riders stopped on the White Rock trail on the other side of the bison.

I would guess they are looking at the bison. I continue along constantly looking back at the bison and one finally stands; tail up. He's looking in the direction of the horses apparently not happy that they are still not moving along (or maybe for some other reason).

Back at my car, I head out of the parking lots; there's a bison now above the lot and continue north.
When I reach the north side, I make the turn to the west side. As I cross to the south side behind the Visitor's Center I always slow down looking for Pronghorn and guess what? Pronghorn!!! I see the head of 2 Pronghorn both facing north.

I roll up a little bit and hey, there's a whole herd all laying down! Very cool!

I loop around behind the Visitor's Center spotting only a few bison below Bison Point.

Good day!