Feb 11 - Antelope Island

Sunny day with temp 22 degrees with highs in the mid-30s.

Day starts good with sightings of lots of Canadian geese heading south, a Blue Heron and a male Pheasant all along the new highway extension.

When I arrive at the Antelope Island gate,  there is, thankfully, no wind.

Lots of water on both sides of the causeway as it was a very wet week - over 4 feet of snow in the mountains.

No hawks, coyotes, or Bald Eagles this morning just a lot of Gulls.

As I approach the Island I can see lots of black dots - bison behind the Visitor's Center.

I reach the Island and head south. I can lots of bison in the rocks just after the fence line. They can make it touchy whether I can hike the Gravel Pit today.

I continue south seeing the same herd of Pronghorn (20'sh) under Beacon Hill. I stop to watch and get to watch a young Pronghorn learn how to joust to 2 adults - fun stuff!

Fight #1

Number #2

Moving on, I do see a lone Pronghorn walking south in the Frary Peak area.

Then there is nothing to see all the way to the Ranch. Even the bison that have been hanging out have moved on. Perfect for a hike to Sentry Peak but I'm not feeling that today. (There's snow to walk thru again higher up.)

I turn and head north. 

As I near the Gravel Pit turn-off, I see bison lined up on the ridgeline above the trail. Shoot! I knew they'd be there. I should've hike to Sentry Peak. :(

I pass the trail and head over to the west side of the Island hoping to hike a portion of White Rock. 

Well, there are bison behind the Visitor's Center and across the road too!

And bison on Bison Point.

And in the White Rock picnic area! Some are drinking from a puddle.

They are not in the car parking at least yet. Too risky for me. Besides I look out at the trail and there are bison all over. Maybe able to get by now but what about 2 hours from now. 

Beaten by the bison again!

I head down to the fence line to check out the bison and see a calf! Is this a very early Spring calf or a Fall calf. Would expect him to have lost the red coloring by now and there to be others. But there are no others. Hmmmm.

Well time to head out. Along the causeway, a large brown hawk is scared up as I drive by.

Good day!

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