March 8 - Gravel Pit (Antelope Island)

 Cool morning - 28 degrees - but it's supposed to be sunny. Heading up to Antelope Island for a hike.

When I reach the causeway, I see a stiff north wind and 29 degrees; it'll be a cold one.

Crossing the causeway I spot a coyote heading east. I do a U-turn so I can watch. I snap a few pictures 

and then look for a more stable camera spot. When I go back to find the coyote, hey, I find another coyote also heading east but in back of the 1st coyote.

There's the 2 of them.

I watch for awhile hoping they would meet up but in the time I watched, they did not. Onward!

A bit farther down the causeway, I spot several large black birds on the Salt Lake side. Could the Bald Eagle still be around? As I get closer, I see the signature white heads! Three adult eagles and a raven!! The one farthest west has a duck and the only 2 are waiting. 

Soon the middle eagle takes flight and that leaves just two. Awesome!

Moving on I reach the Island and cannot see any bison. I take a quick peek on the west side and they are still there but the Gravel Pit trail appears clear to hike. That's my target for today!

I travel down the east side of the Island spotting a small herd just before the pit toilets. 

The Ranch is clear of bison too!

I turn around and head to the Gravel Pit trail and start my hike. That wind is definitely biting. Good thing once I make it out of the Pit it will be at my back, at least, initially.

The Spring Parsley is getting more prominent.

As I come out of the Pit, I see bison just to my left and a bit above. And they see me. I stop and weigh my options. Since I'm unsure where they all might be and the fact that I'm already way to close, I decide to turn around and head back. :(

I'm almost back to the parking lot when a lady runner passing me be. I warn her about the bison. She say "thanks" and continues. I'm curious to see what she does.

When I get back to my car, she's about half way up and still moving forward. I can now see a few of those bison. I watch her reach the point she should see the bison and yea, she does a u-turn and starts jogging back. Whew!

Time to head home.

Just past the fence line, there's 5 bison below the road. I did not see these earlier so it's a nice surprise!

Along the causeway, I spot just one eagle. I'm assuming it's the one with the duck.

Not much of a hike but still a good day!

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