I arrive on the Causeway with the sun shining bright. There's an inversion in the valley so the sun is not only bright but a hazy bright. Lots on snow on the Farmington Bay side from the recent storms. I see a couple of Kestrels perched on road signs but as I approach they fly. But there's one Kestrel that doesn't fly...and the reason is because he has breakfast clutched in his talons!!
Shovelers and Gulls are swimming in the open water further along the Causeway.
As I reach the island, I turn left to head to the Ranch. Immediately I see a herd of deer (at least 8) on the uphill side behind the Visitor's Center. Pretty hard to see from my position but I turn into a pull-off on the other side of the road for a somewhat better look. There's are some smaller deer, must be the ones born this year. (Based on their location, I don't think many people are going to see these deer today.)
Well, my plan was to head down to the Ranch before my hike but since there are already 4 cars ahead of me, I'll just go straight to the White Rock Trail head.
As I round a curve in the road, a bison is a few steps from finishing crossing the road ahead of me. I stop to watch. I see two of bison and they are walking towards the Visitor's Center.
The road to the trail head parking is snow packed and there's a good number of cars already parked. Definitely much more snow here than last time I was here (which was New Year's Day).
I gear up and take off thru the snow following 2 trail runners and 5 people on horses.
There are no animals anywhere to be seen.
Lots of snow to slog thru on the trail -- mostly 2-4inches - hopefully it'll get less in the more sun exposed areas.
When I get to the intersection of the upper loop, the runners and horses went in the clockwise direction (my normal way) so I head counter-clockwise just to be different and hopefully see some animals (before they are scared off).
Traveling this direction, I'm walking thru a very rocky section of the hill looking West/Southwest; and that means looking at White Rock and the western mountains. Very hazy out.
This is the western exposure and as such, gets the most sunlight. This means I get to walk on dirt for a bit instead of snow. There's plenty of snow off the trail. On the ground I see many rabbit tracks and Chukkar tracks.
And I see several Chukkars on the rocks above me.
I reach the end of this stretch and now start heading east following the curves of the hills towards the ridge. I have a full view of the snow covered White Rock valley. I cannot see any animals in the valley.
Back to walking thru snow.
I'm seeing very small paw prints - too small for a coyote so they might be fox (not sure).
About 1/2 way to the ridge, I see bison tracks and some fresh-ish bison scat but no animals around.
I'm seeing/hearing birds though - mostly Horned Larks.
I finally reach the ridge and look over and down to Farmington Bay - it's the theme of the day, no animals nearby
I complete the final "up" section and have lunch on the bench overlooking White Rock valley and Frary Peak. It's such a beautiful day!
Time to finish the loop and head back to my car.
I finish the hike and decide to head down to the Ranch.
Perched in a tree by the water is a beautiful grey hawk.
I see a porcupine in a tree conveniently near a pull-out but there's a car there -- I'll stop on my way back. A little further along is another porcupine.
I finally see bison near the Frary Homestead trail -- it's the same area they've been for over a month now.
Ahead I see a car stopped on the side of the road. I slow down and find what he is looking -- it's a herd Pronghorn! I notice the two standing and nearest the road first but there are at least 15 more behind them.
I'm pretty sure I would have missed them if the car wasn't stopped - very hard to see especially heading south (like those deer earlier). I'm sure I'll have no problem finding them again heading back north.
Well, I've seen bison, deer, and pronghorn; only need to see a coyote to complete the "big 4". :)
When I get to the Ranch and start heading back north.
Find the pronghorn again -- very easy to see now. Many of the pronghorn are bedded down.
I continue and see a Kestrel in the tree.
I see the one Porcupine and stop in the turnoff to view the 2nd. But he's no longer there. Wonder if he got scare off by the other car.
I continue driving when I see something on the edge of the road (in my lane). Several cars were ahead of me by just a few minutes, maybe it's some vegetation. As I get closer, it's a coyote!! Not sure where he came from that all those cars passed him by but he's standing on the edge of the road looking into the brush. He may be hunting (i.e., listening for critters). I stop a decent ways away, I can't wait to see what happens.
Continuing on, I see two bison that I didn't previously see.
As I approach the Visitor's Center, I see 3 bison, looks like they replaced the deer. Plenty of people watching those bison.
I drive by the bison and some rocks and then I see the deer are still there! I only see a couple of heads and some big ears. No people are watching them.
Those deer found the perfect spot to feed in peace. :)
Awesome day!
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