My plan is to bring in 2016 by watching the sunrise over the mountains at Antelope Island and of course, some other island adventures (namely the White Rock Loop).
It's a cold one this morning; 6 degrees when I leave Salt Lake this morning. It's already light out but I'm racing to get to the island before the sun makes it above the mountains. As I drive north, it's only getting colder - before I arrive on the island, it drops to -2 degrees - brrrrr!
But as I arrive on the causeway, it's 1 degree - weee!
I see a bird flying toward me; as it passes my car, I see a large white face; it's Barn Owl!! Never seen one until today!
There's also a Kestrel flying a little further down the road.
There's a reddish glow to the sky across the snowy frozen landscape.
I definitely beat the sunrise but not by much.
Here comes the sun!!!! (Yea, the first sunrise of 2016!)
I continue down the causeway until I see a large bird near the open water. I looks like it just grabbed something from the water. Has to be an eagle or hawk! I pull over as the bird flies out of the water (with its prey) and lands. I quickly put on both coats, my hat and grab one glove, all while hoping the bird doesn't fly again. And he doesn't (yea). It's a Bald Eagle, an immature one as it is mottled in white and brown. He killed a duck; I can see him ripping the feathers out - he just tosses them aside. (I can also hear a coyote howling in the distance.) I watch eagle eat his meal for a bit
before continuing onto the island. I head south towards the ranch. Roads are a bit icy this morning in spots.
A hare hops across the road.
I see a herd of bison making its way up towards the White Rock ridge. They are in two separate groups, one a little higher than the other.
Just past Frary Peak, there's an even large herd of bison near a water hole. This herd still has a few reddish calves.
I continue on, especially watching the water's edge -- I've seen quite a few coyotes along the edge. I see two objects which might be coyotes - they're moving. I stop for a look and ..... they're Pronghorn!!! I scan further and notice a couple more and a few more and then a whole bunch! There has to be over 60 animals! And 4 bison tucked in with them!
I can see the Pronghorn pawing at the ground; sometimes with a bit of flying snow.
Pretty cool!
I make it to the Ranch. I want to check on the Owls but the gate to the area is closed so it's time to head back north and then over to the White Rock Trail.
On the way back I see a big hawk in the trees.
Along with those ever present Porcupine.
Further along, I see a bunch of cars pulled over with people out with their binoculars. As I pass, I ask one man what they are looking at. It's a Loggerhead Shrike in the trees. He says there's more than one, but I only see the one.
I head over to the White Rock Trail. There's a small herd of bison under Buffalo Point.
As I park, it's a whole 6 degrees. Time to bundle up for a hike! (This is the first time I've actually hiked the whole trail in the snow. (Year 1, there was so much snow on the island, the road to White Rock was not even open, And last year, we hardly had any snow that stuck around. So I'm excited.)
The trail is hard-packed in spots, soft snow in others, and clear in others. A little slow going in the soft spots but it's all good. Just enjoying the views along the way.
After the intersection, the trail gets easy for a while because the Park folks drove a vehicle down the trail -- just walking in the packed tire tracks.
As I round the final corner and approaching the turn off to Beacon Hill, a herd of bison come running up from the valley (surprise)! They are about 30 yards away and stop. I'm looking at them and they, me. I continue on slowly (they are heading in the opposite direction), when I notice that they start walking towards me. I start walking faster but the tire tracks have ended and I'm back in soft snow. Then I notice that there are bison ahead of me and may block my path -- nothing more exciting then being in the middle of a skiddish herd of bison (and the herd of people haven't even arrived yet).
I turn and head back, thinking that heading up Beacon Hill would be a safest spot -- I might be crashing the New Years Day hiking party but there's safety in numbers. I only take a few steps when the herd, for some unknown reason, starts running parallel to me in the opposite direction. Well that solves my problem, so I turn and continue along my trail.
I stop one more time before I round a corner and look back towards the bison. I turn just in time to watch almost the entire herd run up Beacon Hill (only a few stayed back).
All those folks heading up Beacon Hill are going to have plenty to watch. :)
Unfortunately for me, I'm still under Beacon Hill and if these bison get spooked, they could coming running down the hill right at me - Ugh! I continue constantly looking up the hill.
But still enjoying the views of White Rock Valley
and Bay!
I make it safely to the ridge. The bison I saw earlier in the day under the ridge are still there; all laying down and still in two separate herds.
I see a few bison still in the valley below.
At one point while crossing the ridge, I turn to look back at Beacon Hill. I see the herd of people on top and I see a big part of the bison herd that went Beacon Hill running down the hill past a spot I had been just a few moments ago (knew it could happen, at least I wasn't there).
Other bison ran back down Beacon Hill where they ran up it earlier - meeting up with the ones that had stayed back,
Now the bison are heading towards the ridge in my direction. I walk a little and turn around, they are still heading in my way. I pick up the pace trying to get to some big boulders. I turn and look, the bison are now running but below me (except about 6 that are stopped). I lose sight of the "running" bison but as long as they stay there, I'll just take the big loop around (instead of the inner loop) so I don't have to deal with them.
A few moments later, I see the "running" bison, still running ahead of me. They are past the turn for the inner loop. Well, that works, now I can take the inner loop. (All these running bison today - have never seen such a thing.)
I turn to head on the inner loop. The six bison are still there. But as I get closer, they move up towards the ridge and I pass safely.
The views of the valley are great. There are trails of animals tracks through the snow, the mountains/hills look awesome with the sun glistening off the snow. There are some bison in the valley. A herd of about 20 that are split apart.
I get to watch them as I make my way around the valley.
I make my way along the trail taking in the views.
When I get to the end of the loop, I see that the bison that were under Buffalo Point when I arrived have moved into the area near the start of the trail.
What a fantastic day! A great opening to 2016!
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