March 17 - Gravel Pit Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with temps near 60 degrees. It's in the under 40s (and the east downslope winds are still blowing) when I leave.

See a Male Pheasant on my way to the Island - 3rd one so far since the highway opening.

When I reach the causeway, the winds are almost gone - guess I'm far enough away from the mountains. I like it.

Nothing exciting on the crossing today.

I reach the Island I decide to head over to the west side looking for where the bison are. The are 3 bison at the intersection of the roads heading north and to the west side. 

There is also a bison just crossing over to the west side behind the VC.

I drive just past Bison Pt road, seeing only a few bison on Bison Point. Behind the the corrals looks bison-free but it's in the shade and hard to tell. I'm heading to Beacon Hill today!

I head back to the east side and drive down to the Ranch.

I see a Jack Rabbit (big lone ears - 2nd one this season).

Just before Frary Homestead, I see a small herd of bison - most laying down - in the grasses on the east side of the road before Frary Homestead.

Just south of Frary Homestead up on the mountainside is a nice sized bison herd (just little black dots).

I see no critters the rest of the way to the Ranch. 

I turn around and head north, finding a smaller bison herd on the mountain side north of the larger herd.

And surprise! a small herd of Pronghorn near the mountains!!

I'm looking for Burrowing Owls but nothing so far.

I reach the Gravel, gear up and start up the trail.

There's more Spring Parsley in bloom. And I spot some Red Stem blooming.

I reach the ridge and the only bison I see are far in the distance west of Beacon Hill and safely away from the trail. Yea! I can hike today!

Soon I'm rounding Beacon Hill and I spot 2 bison heading east toward my trail (and one additional one farther west but still heading east). 

Two trail runners pass me and continue past the bison even though they are getting closer to the trail. If I continue, we're going to meet.

I continue very slowly. I just want to see where they are going. If they head downhill, then I can head up to Bison Point - patience. They stop to look at me a couple of times and I stop as well.

The 2 reach the trail 

and appear to be following the trail around Beacon Hill because they pass the trail up the Hill. That's good because if I wait, I can complete my hike. BUT, they stop. The lead one turns and looks back at me.

Then he turns around and start walking toward me. I guess the other bison snitched on me. He keeps coming so I turn around and make a quick retreat. Well, I got a story and about a 4 mile hike!!!

Frustrating but 2 bikers pass me and I warn them about the bison on the trail. They continue and I watch as the go off-trail between the 2 on the trail and one nearing the trail. Brave or stupid? They succeeded though.

Back at my car, it's time to head home. Thankfully I keep my camera in my car because just before reaching the causeway I spot a coyote! Look like he's looking for lunch.

And while watching the coyote, I spot another Jack Rabbit! I've seen more rabbits this year than in probably the 11 previous seasons!

Good day!

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