It's in the low 30s and sunny when I start across the causeway. There's a low haze over Farmington Bay. I'm not seeing any shorebirds but that's not a surprise since it's mid-November.
There are some Coots near the bridge just before the island.
As I cross, I surprised by the number of cars heading off the island. It's 8:15am why are all these people leaving the island. Hmmmm...
Reaching the island, I see a bison on the northeast corner behind the Visitor's Center.
And there are 5 bison at the intersection to the Ranch. I roll past since there are several cars already pulled off and watching.
I'm half expecting to see the "family" herds on the northern part of the island but it's not until around Frary Peak when I see my first large herd on the lake bed slowly moving south. I get see their breaths in the air.
There's also another smaller herd near the water trough under Frary Peak.
Ahead is a group of cars all pulled over looking at something. I reach the cars, park and head across the street to see a bunch of men with long lens watching a single buck. A decent sized rack but I've seen bigger.
I move on passing one more large herd of bison (again on the lake bed) a mile or two from the Ranch.
I arrive at the Ranch and figure out why the island is so busy this morning, there's a 1/2 marathon that starts at the Ranch. There's are tons of cars here and bunches of people. I decide to turn around and hike another trail. So I turn around and head north.
Easy drive back. The exciting part, I see a porcupine running across the road!!
I think about hiking the Gravel Pit but decide on White Rock Trail so I head over to the west side of the island. Unfortunately, there's yet another running event at White Rock, a 50k - Antelope Island is sure becoming the place for running events over the last few years.
So I turn around and head back to the Gravel Pit. As I arrive, there's one lone bison above the parking lot (and I can't see him from the lot).
I park and start up the trail. I don't go far when I spot 3 bison in the Gravel Pit. They know I'm there; one has its tail up. They are bison and probably cranky since they're been herded up, corralled and got physicals. I continue along watching them closely.
The trail takes a turn ahead towards the bison; I don't want to get any closer so I go off trail just heading straight I'll hit the trail again as it heads up.
As I'm aligned with the one bison (eye-to-eye), the two start walking towards me. I stop and they continue towards me. Hmmm. They're trying to play so games here and I'm not interested in playing. I turn around and start heading back to the parking lot. The bison change directions still heading towards me. Time to start running. I run about 20 yards and the bison are just standing looking at me.
I return to my car and they are still standing. Guess they did want to play. :(
Today is not for me to hike but seeing bison, porcupine, deer and being intimidated by 2 bison makes for a good day still! :)
