April 28 - Antelope Island

 After a couple of days of rain, I've got to get out to salvage the week-end. It's only in the mid-40s when I wake and cloudy, so I decide to head up to Antelope Island to search for baby bison. (Definitely no hiking as the biting gnats are out.)

On the drive up, I see 2 male pheasant along the highway.

I reach the causeway about 7:15. Lots of the water around

 and shorebirds. 

I see Glossy Ibis

Avocets and Black-necked Stilts

and many others.

As I approach the Island, I do not see any bison behind the Visitor's Center. I reach the Island and turn south towards the Ranch.

1st stop is just downhill from the pull-off to check for Burrowing Owls and success! There are two of them. One is perched

 and the other is on the ground several feet away. So exciting!

I inch up and find another (yes, that's 3) owl.


I decide to continue and see yet another 4th owl. Quite a happy community this year - I don't think I've ever seen so many before the babies come!

I continue on hoping to see something at White Rock/Beacon Hill area but nothing. I stop at the Owl burrow and surprise, it's my 5th Burrowing Owl of the day!!

Coming up to the Frary Peak turnoff, I stop for a Snipe and Meadowlark sitting together on a boulder. Friends!!

I pass the Frary Peak area and start hoping to see any mammal because it's definitely a bird day. 

Just before reaching the Ranch, I score my mammal; a lone bison to the west. Yea!!!

I reach the Ranch and see a very small herd of bison at Mushroom Springs. I'd drive the road but it looks very muddy so I stop to look for Great Horned Owls. Their babies should be born and ready to make their appearance. 

I start heading for the barn when I look towards the bathroom (the one with flush toilets) and see a bunch of photographers standing there. I head over and find the Great Horned Owls w/ fluffy owlets!!!

Looks to be 3 babies with one on the bottom. Awesome!!

I watch for a short bit but heading back to my car and my return trip.

On the return I pass that lone bison and farther up the road against the mountains, I see two bison running south along the slope. 

And above the Frary Peak lower parking, there's another herd of bison on the slopes (~16 bison). No babies anywhere to be seen.

I head over to the west side of the Island and find 4 bison just off the White Rock Trail.

Pretty awesome day so far!

I head across the causeway stopping for some bird photos.

I'm not too far from the entrance when I spot (and stop for a Sandhill Crane w/ mountains behind). I look left and find 2 other Sandhills walking towards the first. I'm hoping for a big greeting but they just pass but incredible to see!!!



On the way home, I see another Sandhill (flying over the highway) and female pheasant.

Awesome day!

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