Dec 31 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Final day of 2024! Amazing how time flies! Heading up to Antelope Island to hike the Gravel Pit to Beacon Trail (hopefully, because there is a herd of bison hanging out here recently).

I arrive on the Causeway just after 8am. Sunny and 29 degrees with little wind; perfect winter day!

Nothing happening along the causeway this morning except for a few duck hunters. Hoping to see some Bald Eagles but no luck.

I arrive on the Island and head south towards the Ranch and it's dead empty. Not a critter to be seen on the way. No sightings at the Ranch either. Not sure where all the bison are but they are not on the east side of the Island. I think this is a first for me; perhaps a second though. Definitely, super, super rare!

I start back north and quickly spot some white dots in the distance to the west. I stop and sure enough it's a large herd of Pronghorns! Yea!!

Continuing on, I see a wide travel path up the hillside near the Frary Peak potty. I think a large herd of bison has moved up that way recently. I will know later on my hike.

When I reach the Gravel Pit, there are a couple of ladies just leaving to start the trail (and there are no bison in sight). I gear up and start up the trail.

When I reach the top of the hill, I see a few bison near Bison point, a few more along the White Rock Trail just above the new fence. Glad I decide to not hike White Rock. In front of me is clear though there may be some bison near Beacon Hill. 

I continue along the trail. Just quiet and beautiful.

As I'm coming around Beacon Hill; yep, there are bison here. 

Far enough from the trail though.

Hey, there's a coyote heading for the bison. He stops a few times and then continues past the bison and downhill.

I reach Beacon Hill and start my way up. When I'm less the 50 yards from the antenna, I see bison ahead of me. They are kinda close to the trail and there are some I can't see because of the landscape. Those are the ones I'm nervous about. They don't seem to care or they haven't noticed me yet as they are still eating and some are laying down.

I think about cutting across the landscape to the point but I just don't know what is ahead; if only the landscape was flat.

Anyway, I just stop to watch for a bit and then start my way back down. 

I do see some bison down below in White Rock meadow.

So at least a good portion of the Island's bison are over here. Will make for some interesting hiking.

Soon I'm back at the trail. Awesome day with the Pronghorn, Bison and Coyote.

I make my way back across the causeway stopping for yes, a Bald Eagle on the north side with a duck. He's got blood on his beak.

A little farther along, there are 2 Bald Eagle on the south side.

And several miles farther another Bald Eagle in the grasses not far from causeway. He's got something to eat as another eagle comes by to try and snatch it. No success.

I keep watching and so the Bald Eagle moves a bit on the ground with his catch.

And then he takes off and flies farther north 


before landing again. Pretty awesome!



And finally, I drive by a Kestrel.

Pretty awesome way to close out the 2024 hiking season!!

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