It's encouraging that the sun is somewhat out in the Salt Lake Valley when I leave - perhaps I will get some sun today after all. Just not holding my breathe as there is yet another storm coming in early this afternoon (around 1pm says the weatherman). And as I drive north, I leave that spot of sun behind and enter the pre-storm clouds.
Arriving on the causeway, that sunny spot to the south, still shines on the mountains. It looks more like dawn then 9:40am.
We've had some warmer temps this week (finally) and much of the snow has melted. But the recent storms have left a new fresh 1-3 inches.
There's still ice on the Farmington Bay side and the usual opening near the bridge is full of ducks.
They are mostly Northern Shovelers.
When I get on the island, I head south towards the Ranch. I spot 3 bison pretty quickly off to the right.
I'm scanning for any hint of an animal when I spot a suspicious spot on the snowy lake bed. By the time I get my binocs out, it's moving and it's a coyote! I've heard them this winter but this is my first sighting. Pretty exciting.
He sits on the snow looking south, then he get up and trots north for a bit and sits looking south. He repeats this several times. I'm thinking the mate maybe to the south; I look but can't see one.
Time to continue.
I see a Kestrel in the trees. His feathers are all puffed out to keep warm.
After Frary Peak, I see a large herd of bison.
A little further down, I see dots of white in the middle of the brown grasses. Yep, it's a large herd of Pronghorn. I count 25 of them. Some are feeding and others are lying down.
Just before the Ranch, there's another large herd of bison. The herd is much larger than the other I saw today.
I park at the Ranch and start my way down the snowy dirt road leading to the Sentry Peak trail head. I'm the first human to make tracks in the new snow. Lots of coyotes tracks crossing the road and walking the road. Also, it looks like a herd of Pronghorn have been thru here recently. Of course, there are tiny tracks, probably a mouse; 4 little prints with a distinct tail drag. And another 4 little prints (no tail drag); I follow one such set
to a single spot in the grasses -- must be home. :)
then it flies. (I may be wrong, but I think that is a Golden Eagle!)
I keep walking when I see a brownish form moving to the left. For some reason my mind quickly goes to cougar -- odd place for the mind to go especially since I'm on an island; perhaps it's because I'd love to see one (just not stalking me). Of course, it's a coyote!! #2 for the day!! And he's moving towards the road - if he continues he'll cross in front of me.
A few moments later, he does cross in front of me and he continues west towards the mountains. I turn away and when I look back; he has disappeared. Then I hear a coyote howl to the north. And another returns the howl in the distance (still to the north). The back-n-forth continues several times before it's quiet.
I finally make it to the trail head and start making my way towards Mushroom Springs. A lot easier walking than last time but still snowy.
Still seeing coyote tracks as well as Pronghorn.
Without sunshine, it's definitely a "shades of grey" kind of day.
I get to Mushroom Springs and there are no Bald Eagles. (I think I got really lucky to see them a few weeks back.)
I start walking to the south (following coyote tracks) and I'm about ready to start the upward portion when I hear a coyote howl to the south (ahead of me). Another returns the howl further in the distance. This repeats several times. I stop to search for the coyotes. I can't find the coyotes but I see to 2 Pronghorns feeding. Second herd of the day - though 2 animals doesn't necessarily make a herd. Very cool! (After reviewing my photos, surprise, there are several Pronghorns in the area!)
I head on up to the flat stretch about 1/2 way up to Sentry Peak and walk across the section until it continues upwards. But I'm cold (that's why I like sunny days) so it's time to head back down.
I see several Western Meadowlarks on the way back to my car.
Back at my car, I head back north towards the causeway. I see several porcupines on the return trip. And fail to find that herd of 25 antelope.
I'm still looking for that lone coyote on the water when I see a couple of trucks pulled off to the side. There are some folks out on the rocks looking down towards the water's edge with spotting scopes. I pull off and down below me is my coyote! He's in the marsh grasses actually heading toward the road (he'll have to walk uphill to get to the road though). But he stops, looks around
and starts walking south to a small patch of snow. He stops and does what every canid would do in snow; he starts rolling his head in it. How fun!
Then he looks towards road,
Gets up and trots off to the south. Way cool!
And then, as the coyote heads south, all the human bystanders get back in their cars and drive north.
Back on the causeway, I stop to look at the ducks one more time. There are ducks happily content in the water, those flying in and those flying out. The noise their wings make when taking off as a group is amazing; this loud whoop, whoop,....
I continue down the causeway when I see another bird of prey land in the grasses. As I pull closer, he flies and I follow. He lands again. And as I get closer, he flies again. We repeat this one more time before he flies off. He does have a mouse in his talons.
Another great day on Antelope Island!
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