May 19 - Antelope Island

Yet another day of clouds, rain and hopefully, temps in the 60s. Where did the 70-80s of last week go?

I was supposed to be in southern Utah butterflying the week-end but with the forecast of rain throughout the state, decided to just stay home and enjoy the rain locally.

Heading to Antelope Island for a cruise (and to check on that baby owl as he should be leaving the nest soon).

Along the causeway, I see 2 Black-necked Stilts,

a Lesser Scaup

tons of Grebes,

and even more tons of Gulls.

I reach the island and as usual, head south towards the Ranch.

I don't have to go very far when I see a lone Coyote trotting south down the lake bed.

A little farther south, I spot another coyote moving thru the grasses. He's heading south too (and he's not too far from the Frary Peak road).

Continuing on, just past Frary Peak that I see 2 large ears staring at me in the distance. I pull off and hey, there's a male Pheasant crossing the road with its long tail dragging behind.

Oh yea, the deer; it takes me a little while but I do find those ears again. They are two bucks with growing antlers.

I continue south spotting some bison up close to the mountains.

And then it's the huge Mom/baby herd still in the same area as last week just north of the Ranch.

As I pull into the Ranch parking, there is one bison laying down in the overflow parking lot; 2 bison on the muddy road that leads to the Sentry Trail, and a couple of bison in the general area but farther west. Oh, and there's one bison that is stuck in the fenced area of the Ranch. That could get interesting.

The bison on the muddy road, trot off to the west as 2 horseback riders approach leaving their buddy caged by the fences.

I walk towards the Ranch (owl visit time) and there's a DNR lady trying to open/close the proper gates so that the bison can get out.

She says I can go back towards the owl but be careful because that's the area where the bison is. So I head back because she tells me the Owl babies are out of the nest. Babies! Last week I was told that only one has been seen - cool!!

I head back to the dead tree. There's already one person back by the tree. And the bison only 40 yards away - need to keep an eye on him.

I look up and there's Mom with one baby standing close again Mom.

I didn't get a very good look at the other baby - he's hidden by branches - as the bison is giving us the stink-eye and starts moving our direction. The guy with me says we should start moving back in the woods so I follow. We pass behind some tall grass and lose sight of the bison. We emerge on the other side and I see the bison sprinting through the woods to freedom! Cool, I can go back to the owls!

I return and find the other baby.

What a nice family!

They tell me the Papa hangs out in the trees along the fence line. I check and do not find the owl. But I'm certainly not complaining. Can't beat Mom and fluffy babies!

I head back thru the woods - lots of bison tracks in the mud. And a Robin's egg laying on the ground.

Time to head back north - maybe I'll find a few Pronghorn.

I check on the bison herd just north of the Ranch. They were all standing when I passed the first time, now they are all taking naps.

Continuing on, that small herd of bison near the mountains, well, it's the other half of the Mom/babies and they are on the move southward.

Just past the Frary Peak road, I see another coyote. I actually think he's the one I saw earlier in the day; it's the same area. Still cool!!

I check for that Burrowing Owl I saw last week, but no owl today.

And not far away and in the same spot as last week, I find a Willet (as least I think it's Willet).

I reach the north side of the island and before I can turn to head west, I see a lone Pronghorn on the ridge behind the Visitor's center!!

I start the loop and find a Curlew in the grasses

and 2 Pronghorn to my left.

Continuing on towards Bison Point, there's another Pronghorn (a lone one)!

I turn towards White Rock  and quickly see another 2 Pronghorn laying down. I turn and take the road up to Bison Point stopping at the turn-off to get a closer look at the Pronghorn.

Funny how with the biting gnats out, there's no one camping and no trail riders.

I return to the loop and start down the west side. There I see a Jackrabbit - just getting a quick look at feet and back side as he hops away.

One last look for the resident Burrowing Owl behind the Visitor's Center but no luck today either.

Awesome day!

May 16 - Lambs Canyon Road

Just heading out after work for a quick hike. Decide to walk the Lambs Canyon road; want to be away from the crowds and enjoy the sounds of the creek along the way.

Wish I could say its sunny out but no, the storm clouds are rolling in. But it's still 71 degrees when I arrive at the gate.

Not expecting much in the way of butterflies mainly because there's no sun but the temps are still 70 so there's a chance.

Forget-me-knots are still going strong but the Parsley (Bisquitroot) is coming on strong.

The slopes are covered in the yellow splotches of Balsamroot.

And in one spot, the Solomon's Seal is about ready to bloom

The 80 degrees temps this week has melted a lot of snow on the higher peaks. I think I could get up to the top of the trail without have to deal with much snow. If it doesn't rain on me, perhaps I'll try.

I do see a few Painted Ladies, a White butterfly (could be a Large Marble or one of several other white butterflies) and surprise, a CA Tortoiseshell all pretty early on.

By the time I get 1/2 way, it starts to sprinkle. And by the time, I get to the wet/muddy section, it's a light rain. I check for bflies but no surprise, nothing.

Time for a jog back to the car.

May 12 - Antelope Island

Sunny day with highs near 80 degrees.

My original plan is to hike up to Grandeur Peak but when I woke, I just wasn't feeling it. With other options limited, I decide to head up to Antelope Island to see what's been going on as it's been about a month since my last visit. It'll be just a safari day; biting gnats are in season now.

As I cross the causeway, the water levels appear to be rising. Hopefully, that's a fact and Farmington Bay is actually getting of that snow melt.

Lots of gulls and swallows flying.

I also see Avocets and lots of Grebes.

When I reach the island, I head south towards the Ranch stopping at the viewpoint where I see a couple of bison.

Farther down the road, I see 5 bison on the dry lake bed. (I bet trying to keep away from those biting gnats.) At first I didn't see them at first, but there's 5 pronghorn not too far away from them!

Continuing on, just before the Frary Peak road, I see a group of bison in the green grasses on the lake bed. As I roll up passing a large rock formation, I pass a Willet. Luckily, no one is behind me so I back up for a better look.

Not much farther down the road, deer sighting!!

It isn't until after the Frary Homestead when I see a large Mom/baby bison herd ahead. As I near, I notice dots on the lake bed. Pronghorn!!

As I start to move forward, I turn to my right and spot a lone Pronghorn just up the hillside from me. He starts running towards me and then veers off to the right. Cool!

I move forward and take a long distance look at the large bison herd.

Moving on towards the Ranch, I see another large Mom/baby bison herd just south of the Ranch. I'm hoping the dirt road is open so I can get closer. Nope, still closed. Guess, I'll check on the Great Horned Owl and hopefully get closer to see the herd.

I reach the wooded area. It's going to be hard to find the owl today as all of the leaves are now out. I start around the loop, looking up for any sign of the Owl. The last time, I was here I saw a male and the DNR/volunteers indicated that there was no sign of a female yet. Disappointing because this will be the 1st time in 7 years with no baby Great Horned Owls.

I reach the meadow and notice that the grass is mowed out thru the meadow to the fence. I never remember them doing that before. But I follow because it gets me closer to the bison. And I'm still looking for the Owl. I reach the fence

and stop to look at the bison.

As I start back, I once again pass a dead tree but this time I spot the Owl!! Yea!

I reach the DNR office at the Ranch and the guy steps out and asks me if I saw the Owl's nest. I was shocked as he told me that the male Owl had a mate (one he kept secret for a long time) and they had a baby! Yea! The baby should be visible in a week or two. Well, I know where I will be visiting over Memorial Day week-end!

I complete the loop around the forested area, seeing a Large Marble

and a Painted Lady.

The gate to the wetland was open so I went out for a peek.

Many Kildeer out here all sounding their alarm cries.

I need to leave them in peace.

Time to head north - and time to look for the other owls at Antelope Island - the Burrowing Owls. They are back; the Island's Facebook posted a photo the other day.

On the way back north, I pass the 1st large Mom/baby herd (the Pronghorn are still laying on the lake bed).

Continuing on, I see something moving north on the lake bed - it's Coyote! He stops at a puddle for a drink

before continuing to another puddle. I watch as he's digging in the water. Not sure why

but eventually stops digging to relieve himself.

At the Frary Peak road, I see a hawk flying (Northern Harrier I think).

Moving on, I find a lone deer in the grasses across from the White Rock ridge.

I stop to look at that first group of bison/pronghorn again. Oh my, there's a baby in that herd. Why is there a Mom & baby with 4 male bison? Why is she not with the herd?

(I stop at the Visitor's Center and ask a DNR guy. He indicated that a lone cow with calf is an unusual occurrence - as I thought - and could not offer and explanation. Hmm) When I look at those first pictures, there is a little blob on the lake bed that would be the baby. Perhaps she had the baby later than the rest of the herd. He looks a bit tiny. And used the males as protection. Just a guess.

I head uphill towards the 1st overlook. Hey, there's a Turkey Vulture flying overhead!

I driving slow on the uphill because I found a Burrowing Owl here last year. And surprise, he's back!!!

When I reach the north end of the island, I have 2 more Burrowing Owl stops to make. The first, under the Bison Point road, is empty.

But the 2nd behind the Visitor's Center, success!!

Incredible day! So glad I didn't feel like hiking. (The only bad part is that I did get bit up just watching animals from rolled down car windows - nasty gnats.)

May 11 - Lambs Canyon

Another sunny day with highs around 70 degrees.

Heading up to Lambs Canyon for a butterfly check - it's been a week.

Canyon is still greening up. The only flowers are still the Forget-me-knots though the larger Parsley is getting close. Oh and I did find a couple of Yellow Violets in bloom.

Still no puddles or wet ground even though we had rain Monday-Weds.

Those black moths with white spots have decreased in numbers but the orange ones are flying strong.

The Painted Ladies are still the far dominant species flying - and they are still flying strong.

Very earlier on, I see a new butterfly for the season, the Large Marble.

(I see a total of 4.)

The Orangetips numbers have increased (6 males and 2 females).

The 1st female I see.

Then a bit farther down the road,I saw two Orangetips flying in loops. At first, I thought they were 2 males fighting but nope just a male and female.

The snow that was in parts of the road has melted. (The road is now clear other than the snowmobiles that are stilled parked near the bottom.)

I pass the little gully with all the CA Tortoiseshells last week and today, there is no action.

It's actually very quiet (other than the numerous Painted Ladies zipping around). I hoping that once I reach the mud and water things will pick up - not so much.

Finally, I reach the trail head and check the final puddle. Pretty dull other than a handful of Spring Azures.

Oh wait, there's a Duskywing flying in the vegetation. Hard to get a good look - it's a Sleepy Duskywing - the first of the season!

He must be one of the first to emerge as he is the only on I see (and he's perfect, fringes and all). Also, they tend to congregate in these mud puddles but today, he's it.

I look up the road and the snow that was there last week has melted leaving a huge wet road. I head up for a look. I find a couple of Satyr Commas! This one is laying eggs - pretty cool!

Great trip!