March 22 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill

 Mostly sunny day with temps near 60 degrees. 

Many more water fowl along the causeway today but it still looks mostly like sea gulls.

I arrive on the Island and head south towards the Ranch.

There are no bison behind the VC.

I check for Burrowing Owls and yea, they've arrived!! I see 2 owls!

As I'm approaching the pit toilet, I see a large herd bison all of the mesa behind it AND a lone Pronghorn moving south.

(I think the bison are on the move to have their babies!)

As I approach the mesa, the bison look very happy as I see a few running on top of the mesa and more sparring.

As I arrive at the mesa, there are 3 bison crossing the road to the mesa. Two cross and the other is waiting. So I wait for him to cross but he just stands there. I decide to continue and as I pass, he crosses behind my car like a well-trained child. (There are also a few on the east side of the road; looks like they are just stragglers.)

There are bison all along the hillside. Most are just grazing my a few sparring matches take place as well.

The bison continue to thin out into the meadow south of the mesa.

I arrive at the Ranch and there are no critters in sight. I should walk up to Sentry Peak but I decide to do the Gravel Pit since it should be free of bison.

I turn around and head north.

I lied there are bison viewable from the Ranch on the mountains across from the west parking lot.

And a lone Pronghorn on the east side of the road. It could be a different Pronghorn than I saw earlier OR it's the same one.

Oh, and a Chukkar alongside the road.

I arrive at the Gravel Pit and I am the only car.

I gear up (no jacket -yea1) and start up the trail.

More Spring Parsley in bloom along the way but no critters.

And the other Spring Parsley

I reach the ridge and find some bison just north and west of the bison pens - probably males.

I reach the Beacon Hill trail and start up. I do not see any bison in White Rock meadow. Soon I am reach the end and take a break.

Time to head back.

On the way back, I find a caterpillar

and at the parking lot, my 1st butterfly of the year; it's a Checkered White!!



Good day!

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