Dec 25 - Bone Spur Trail (Antelope Island)

Merry Christmas!

It snowed a bit at my house last night. Driveway/road is clear but a beautiful inch or two of fluffy white snow is on the grasses/trees/shrubs. Awesome!

It won't last long as it's already 34 degrees but it's a good start.

Heading up towards Antelope Island this morning as the weather prospects are better to the north and anything is better than the cloudy and foggy weather at my house.

As I drive north, it appears that the skies are clearing -yea! (And there's no snow on the ground either.)

I reach the causeway and start across seeing a Kestrel

and a Goshawk perched on road signs.

There's also a flock of Canadian Geese on the Farmington Bay side.

I'm also shocked to see a coyote trotting along the north side of the causeway. Quite the surprise!

I reach the island and heading south towards the Ranch seeing bison along the the big curve and rocky slopes. They've been there for weeks.

It's a quiet ride the rest of the way with 3 porcupines, another Kestrel and a hawk sightings

along the way. Oh, and the bison are still in the distance against the mountains.

Though the small herd just before the Ranch as not that far from the road.

I think about heading into the snow around Sentry Peak but with the rain, the dirt road will be a bit mucky so I'm heading to White Rock! And it's now sunny with mostly blue skies to the north!

I head to the north and west side of the island to the White Rock trail head.

Unfortunately, there are 9 bison just off the trail about a hundred yards in so White Rock is out.

So it's the Bone Spur Trail (2.7 miles one-way). When I first moved here, I'd walk this in the winter but now I'm barely on it. It's just the long stretch at the bottom of White Rock Bay. It's pretty flat but probably around 1.5-2 miles it starts a gentle up hill.

I start along, keeping an eye on those bison even though they are 100 yards (or so) away. Just a quiet walk.

I finally reach the meadow with snowy Frary Peak ahead.

I find no critters in the meadow so I continue along.

I'm about 1/2 mile from the end when I hear a group of coyotes yipping/yapping to my right. I can't find them so I just listen to their "Christmas carols". :)

I continue to the end of the trail. I have a choice to continue left on the longer White Rock Trail (nope), go back (nope) or continue on a 1/2 mile spur trail up hill to the start of the Elephant Head and Split Rocks Trails (yep).

Up, up I go. I get some nice views of the White Rock area from on top.

Then I head to the trail heads for views of the back of Frary Peak and Elephant Head. And guess what, there are bison down near the water! Cool!

Time to head back!

The entrance to White Rock Bay now!

On may out along the causeway, I see two Kestrels (and one just outside park).

Good day!

Dec 21 - Bison Point (Antelope Island)

It's in the mid-20s and cloudy when I leave my house these morning headed to Antelope Island. The highs are only supposed to be in the 30s but trying to get a hike in this morning...but I need some sun.

Cloudy and very frosty as I head across the causeway; it's in the mid-20s and cloudy but the sun is trying.

When I reach the island, I head south towards the Ranch.

Rounding the first big turn, I see several bison among the rocks.

I pass the Gravel Pit road and the gate is closed; looks like I won't be hiking there today.

I continue on past Frary Peak slowing to look for deer and other critters.

I see a couple of strange shapes in the trees...pheasant!!

I stop at the pull-out spotting a Porcupine feeding in the trees.

And a bit farther down the road, a Goshawk.

Moving on, I see a coyote trotting across the road. When he reaches the other side, he runs into the grasses and I lose sight of him.

I move on passing a herd of Pronghorn a little farther down the road - I count at least 15 - feeding just to the right of the road.

I also see a small herd of bison up against the mountains - tiny little spots on the landscape.

I'm nearing the Ranch when I see something that doesn't fit the landscape in the distance. I stop to check it out and it's a male Mule Deer!!! No, there are two of them; one is laying in the grasses.

I pass another small herd of bison just before reaching the Ranch.

I stop at the Ranch and head out to check for owls. I find a Flicker

but no owls.

And it's pretty cold so no big hike today. :(

Time to head back up the island. I stop for the buck again.

While there I hear a few coyotes yipping and howling.

Continuing I spot a perched hawk.

I also see several hawks (I think Goshawks) looking for prey.

I reach the north side of the island and head over to Bison Point. There are 5 bison along side the road on the way up and a couple more on the hillside.

Time to walk up to Bison Point. I hear some Chukkars along the way.

I reach the top

and head to the northern point. I'm hoping for a Chukkar sighting but no luck.

On the way down, I stop for a peek on the 2 bison; one was giving me the evil eye.

And then it's time to call it a day and a good day it is!

Dec 17 - Little Dell Reservior

Have the day off today. A cold day is predicted - highs near 30 - but the skies are clear so lots of warm sunshine. With snowfall yesterday, the canyons are out of the question. So I'm heading up Emigration Canyon for another hike at Little Dell Reservoir.

Last night was a cold one with temps in the teens so I wait until 12:30 and warmer temperatures (27 degrees).

As I approach the parking area, I see what looks like a Red-Tailed Hawk perched. Since there are no cars in sight, I stop to take a photo.

When I arrive, the temp is 25; it's clear and sunny. I'm surprised that there's still snow on all of the vegetation (trees, shrubs, ... all plants). It's looks incredible.

I head downhill to the actual trail and start my hike. Despite the recent snowfall, the trail is packed snow. It's actually much easier to walk on than the other day.

I make a detour to the lake stopping to watch a Common Goldeneye swimming/diving.

Then I continue north enjoying the views along the way.

As always I search the hillsides for deer, moose or elk but not seeing any but I do see plenty of tracks leading up the hillsides.

The air is calm and crisp and silent; it's so peaceful.

I reach the road and cross to continue on the other side.

I go farther than I did the other day spotting a wasp's nest

and good view of Big Mountain.

The trail continues to Affleck Park but I stop short; I've been there once and I've seen what I've wanted to see today.

Time to head back to the car.

Good day!

Dec 15 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

After a couple of days of rain/snow, it's supposed to be partly sunny with a high in the 30s. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning with a plan to hike the Sentry Trail. But it's still mostly cloudy with a high in the mid 20s so I see how far I get.

I reach the causeway and it's still cloudy and a couple of degrees colder and windy (yuk)!

I make a feet out of the gate when I see 2 deer (both doe) to the north and in the open. I'm shocked I've never seen deer there before - usually it's cattle.

I continue along the causeway and am more than high way across when I see a coyote trotting east along Farmington Bay near the causeway. Don't see animals along the causeway much so it's pretty exciting!

Continuing along, I also see a large flock of Shovelers near the bridge. Look out guys, there are duck hunters entering the water nearby!

I reach the island and head south.  It's a pretty quiet trip seeing only a couple of small herds of bison along the mountainsides after Frary Peak.

At one point, I see a bunch of little black dots seemingly moving on the lake bed. It's in the distance and with the rising sun it's hard to see but it's 5 coyotes playing!!! I park and watch for a while!

Good time!

Just as I get going again (and just before the Ranch), there's a small herd of Pronghorn is off the road.

I arrive at the Ranch, gear up for the mostly cloudy 26 degree temps and start walking down the dirt road to the trail head and once there start walking to a snow covered Sentry Peak.

As I'm closing in on Mushroom Springs, I see a large bird fly from the dead tree behind Mushroom Springs. It's a BIG bird! It has to be a Bald Eagle as they will perch in those trees. And when I take a closer look at those trees, there's two white heads in those tree - Bald Eagles!

I take a closer look when I get to the western edge of the trail.

And then continue south before heading up hill.

When I get to the middle of the uphill section, I take a detour on a service road leading to Mushroom Springs. When I get to within 50 yards, one of the birds flies. No, I didn't want to scare them but he circles back and lands right next to the other.

I'm assuming these are a male/female pair. The one that didn't fly is larger.

And then he flies again - he's definitely uncomfortable with my distance but again he lands and I retreat and continue along the main trail. Love seeing them!!

Other than the eagles, nothing catches my eye in the landscape.

I reach the switchback and start across. Up to not I've been comfortable but heading into this north wind, brrr! I reach the end of the switchback and stop to decide if I want to continue higher or head back.

The trail has been totally clear but I know I'll reach snow higher and the wind on the ridge, I'm heading back.

Down I go. When I complete the downhill and start tracking north back to Mushroom Springs, there's a coyote standing looking at me. Hey, #7 of the day!! He's takes off in a trot. Takes me a bit but I do track him down as he finally stops again.

I continue on towards the Springs when I notice a large herd of Pronghorn walking south and about to cross the trail near the trail head. I speed up hoping to get closer to watch the crossing.

(Well, it's a good decision that I turned back - coyote, pronghorn!!)

But first, I have to stop at the Springs, all 3 of the eagles are there now!!

Now heading east towards the Pronghorn, I approach slowly. It's only a matter of time before they see me. They've all crossed the trail but have stopped to graze.

I hoping to reach some rocks a little farther ahead but I'm spotted.

And then they all take off north again, crossing the trail.

I continue figuring I'll see them again as I head north back to the Ranch. But they're heading towards the mountains to the west.

I reach my car and start my way back up the island.

The other group of Pronghorn that were near the road and now a larger group of Pronghorn and they moved west towards the mountains.

I also see a hawk and 2 porcupines.

Awesome day!

Dec 7 - East Canyon (Big Dell Reservoir)

Sunny day with highs in the 40s. It'll be exciting to see the sun again since it's been winter inversion suck since I got back from Thanksgiving. The sun did come out and the skies cleared just before sunset so I have hope.

It's 29 degrees and clear at my home. Heading to Antelope Island for a hike. I only get a couple of miles from my house (and a couple 100 feet in elevation) and I'm in fog so thick that it's hard to see much in front of me. No Antelope Island for me today. :(

So I few hours later, I'm heading up Emigration Canyon to hike at Little Dell Reservoir. I've done this hike many times when there is snow on the ground and I can't get up Big/Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Heading up the canyon, there is south on the north facing hillsides but clear on the north facing sides. I image there'll be snow at the reservoir but I'll wait and see.

When I get to the summit, the reservoir is ice-free but there's snow on the foothills. Always so pretty! (And hey, there's clear skies and clean air!)

I park in the lot and head over to the trail head.

There's snow/ice on the trail but it's pretty easy to get down to the main trail. I have an animal sighting pretty quickly - a mouse/shrew/vole scampers across the trail in front of me.

I reach the trail and head north. But first I take a detour to the reservoir for a view.

I continue on along the snow packed trail - only a couple of inches. I keep scanning the hillsides for any sign of moose/elk/deer but am unsuccessful.  But I do find tracks!

And follow them for about 1/3 of the trail.

Soon I reach the bridge and then the road. (The road is now closed for the winter. I surprised to see snow on the road but only about an inch.)

I cross the road and continue up the trail but quickly find it's blocked with branches. I think it's deadfall but quickly realize that the trail has been re-routed. Not sure why, it wasn't bad just rutty from bikes. The trail heads south and I follow and soon turns back north. I want to continue to follow but I'm hungry; time to head back.

I return on the road. No critters seen on the way back. But still nice to get out and breathe some fresh air!

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!