Sunny morning but crisp (in the 30s); heading to near 60 degrees.
I arrive at the causeway and find out that today is the Annual Buffalo Run; it's not the running of the bison but people running an ultra-marathon of up to 100 miles. I had the pleasure last year of hiking the White Rock trail with lots of runners; that was a fun time.
Today, I'm heading to the Sentry Trail (not part of the race) so I'll just get to watch runners from my car as I drive the island.
As I drive along the causeway, the landscape is starting to green-up.
There are hundreds of shorebirds along Farmington Bay. I will stop on the way out to see what kind of shorebirds they are.
When I arrive on the island, I turn immediately towards the Ranch. I'm immediately greeted by 4 bison pretty close to the road.
And across from the bison, a Meadowlark is belting out his song.
That's a great start to my day because I'm not expecting to see too many animals because of the race.
Hearing lots of bird calls along my drive; mostly Western Meadowlarks and Horned Larks - such a great sound!
I stop for a Chukkar that is walking across the road.
As I expected, I see no animals until I'm almost at the Ranch; there are bison near the mountains.
The road to the Sentry Trail parking is open - yea!
It's sunny and a cool 38 degrees - a little chilly for bflies.
I park and as I'm getting out of my car, I see a couple flashes of white in the field across the road. It's a lone pronghorn!!
He's walking south towards the trail I'll soon be on. I watch for a bit; he's continuing south. I may meet him soon.
I head to the trail but the first time I look back, I can't find him anymore. The ground is "wavy" so I'm sure I'll see him soon so I continue walking. I continually look back for about 50 yrds. Then finally, surprise, what I'm looking for is directly north from me!
The antelope is stopped looking at me and I him. I decide just to wait to see what he does. He slowly starts moving to the east.
I watch him pawing at the ground and then he squats...
... I think I now know why pronghorn paw at the ground.
I move up the trail a little and that's just far enough away that he starts south again towards the trail. Again I just watch.
He seems to have an itch as he keeps stopping and making odd movements; except each time he's stopping, he's using a dead stalk to scratch that itch.
Very interesting -- Is that stalk a tool? I thought only humans and primates use tools?!
Once he crosses the trail, I continue on my way.
As I continue towards Mushroom Springs, I notice about 5 bison heading down the hill towards the Springs. They stop one level up under the trees where I saw the Bald Eagles this winter. Hope they stay there.
Lots of Horned Larks along the trail.
I see my first flowers of the year - Redstem Stork's Bill.
I proceed up towards Sentry Peak. Lots of Chukkars calling this morning. I hear them in several spots along the way.
I'm seeing lots of burrows in the sand; I'm not sure who resides in them though.
I'm not seeing any beetles, tiger beetles or lizards this morning. They were all out the last 2 times I've been here. I just think it's just to cold right now -- maybe on the way down.
As I approach the ridge, there's a small herd of bison off in the distance to the north.
I make it to the ridge and I start seeing the yellow flowers of Spring Parsley! They are all along the ridge line.
I head south along the ridge towards Sentry Peak. As I get closer, I see a form on a rock; it's a Chukkar. He's calling.
I get pretty close before he moves into the brush.
Looking down towards the west as I pass behind Sentry Peak, there's a group of at least 5 bison below.
I see a Horned Lark in nest building mode.
Time to start heading down.
I finally see a black beetle (only one) and a few Tiger Beetles.
I see a flock of light blue birds flying away. They are so pretty in the sunlight.
The bison still remain above Mushroom Springs.
On the way back to my car, I see a white butterfly fluttering up the trail towards me. I stop hoping it will land but it keeps going. The only one of the day! (It's only 48 degrees out right now; maybe later in the afternoon long after I'm gone more will be flying.)
Heading back to the Ranch down the dirt road, I see a bunch of animals down by the water. It's a herd of deer - at least 10!
There seems to be more bison scattered around on the drive back up the island.
The Island Buffalo Grill is open for the season so before heading out, I stop for a bison burger - yummy!
The final stop is on the causeway to check out the birds. Hundreds of avocets!
And a few ducks. These guys were really playful or feisty (not sure which). Lots of chasing, flying up and then back down. Maybe it just Spring?!
Awesome day!
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