Jan 15 - Antelope Island

 Storms are finally gone and it's sunny but it's only 23 degrees when I leave my house. Still hoping for a hike; I have all my gear. 

I reach the Island and they've got more snow than I did. SLC missed the 6-16 inches because the temps unexpectedly stayed above freezing; we only got rain - yea! Mountains got pounded with 84 inches for the storm (over the week I think).

Looks pretty frozen out there with the sunny 21 degree temps. Oh! The winds is blowing from the north. There will be no hiking today. :(

As I cross I see a V-formation of swans flying south.

More than 1/2 way across, I see 2 white head of Bald Eagles. As I pull up, the one flies. As I stop the other, with duck in mouth, 

flies as well. Not sure why they both flew I'm 1/4 mile or so.

The Salt Lake is rough again today. And the huge Teal flocks are gone.

I arrive on the Island and south towards the Ranch.

There are a couple of bison before the fence.

And very slippery conditions in spots do to drifting.

In front of Frary Peak on the east side of the road I find the 4 bison that having been hanging out on the east side of the Island for sometime.

Farther down the road on the west side of the road, I find the nice sized bison herd from Friday.

I'm past the potty and looking at one of the favorite bison/antelope spots to the east and I see something that might be some Antelope. Yep, a large herd of antelope moving south. (yea!)

They are disappearing behind the vegetation so it's time to move on. I start my car and look up. Holy cow! There are more Antelope just ahead of me to the right and more crossing the road.

Wow! It's a super herd and those guys I originally saw are moving west. Totally amazing!!! 

I watch until they all cross before moving on.

I reach the Ranch. The 2 bison I saw here on Friday are out south about aligned with the Sentry Trail.

I gear up and head out to check out the Owls. It's super cold so I check the barn first and lucky me! I find the male!!!

I head out to the woods for a quick look but cannot find the female. Still happy with the male!!

Time to head north.

Surprised to see the Antelope have all but disappeared. I find about 15 of them up on a ridge. Guess I had perfect timing this morning.

I reach the north end and decide just to head home.

As I just start crossing the causeway, before the bridge, I see 2 Bald Eagles on the ice.

I also see 15'sh either blackbirds or eagles. Hey! There are 12+ Bald Eagles! Looks like there might be some breakfast ducks out there as well.

Moving along I find another 3 Bald Eagles. Quite a day for the Eagles - definitely the most I've ever seen on the Island.

Again no hike but again and awesome day!!

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