Well since I want to get to Antelope Island in May for a chance to see baby pronghorn, this appears to be a good day. I'm not planning on hiking (the biting gnats are out), so if it rains, I'm in a car anyway. And with the strong wind, that should keep the biting gnats ways ifI get out of the car. Seems like a perfect match; Antelope Island it is!!
Heading north towards the island, it looks like I'm just heading into the rain. (Darn, in my rear view mirror, the valley looks like it's clearing.)
When I arrive at the gate, the rain is far to the north but it's still very windy. I pass thru the gate and a Killdeer immediately walks across the road in front of my car.
As I drive towards the island, both sides of the causeway are barren of water. I think the strong wind has pushed the water west (that's the only explanation I have).
A blue heron flies east along the causeway.
Lots of seagulls around this morning.
I finally reach water and there's a flock of ducks on the Salt Lake side; at least some look like Eared Grebes.
I arrive on the island and head towards the Ranch. The Wasatch mountains this morning have their own personal blanket of clouds on top this morning.
I stop at the first overlook; there are 6 bison down there! (No babies)
As I turn to get back in my car, a flock of large white birds flies up from the grasses below. They are pelicans!!!
That's so exciting! (First time for me on Antelope Island.) I watch as they disappear from view.
Next stop is the Frary Peak parking. I see 4 bison as I drive up the steep road to the parking lot. I didn't stay long as there was no wind (I'm not sure how) and the gnats were biting. I duck back into my car and head down to the main road.
A little further down the road and after rounding a curve, there's a pronghorn walking down the road in the direction of my car! I stop and the pronghorn heads down the hill. I see him at the bottom walking back south.
Well that was exciting!
Before I pull away, I see a dark blob on the rocks. It's a Snipe!
Further down the road, I see the red head of a pheasant. I stop just past him. I backed up to get a better look but the pheasant spooked and headed for thicker vegetation. That's the 1st time I've seen a pheasant on the island!
I arrive at the Ranch; no babies, no large herds of bison or pronghorn. But some pretty cool birds!
I head directly down the dirt road towards the Sentry Trail parking. I stop in the parking lot so I can walk to Mushroom Springs. I want to see if there are any hidden pronghorn or coyotes around and of course, see if there are butterflies trying to fly in this wind.
I get to the Springs; no mammals but lots of Clouded Sulphers flying.
The Springs' overflow area near the trail is dry so I cross over to the other larger overflow area to see what birds might be hiding. I crest the top of the hill to the sounds of Killdeer. I see the one bird calling and trying to lead me away from a nearby nest.
I quickly leave area and head back to my car.
I decide to continue south on the dirt road to the end which is about 1 mile.
I quickly see a single pronghorn to my left (I should have seen him from the parking area). I continue down the road looking for bison/pronghorn/coyotes. I don't see any but I do see a big dark blob near the shoreline. It's a dead bison. It must be recent because it looks intact; the coyotes/ravens haven't found it yet.
I turn to get back in my car and I see a lone pronghorn (big horns) looking in my direction.
I continue along the road to the end. I see a white butterfly flying so I stop for a look. It's a Checkered White.
I turn around and head back to the Ranch to perform a Great Horned Owl check. As I head to the fenced bird area, I talk to a volunteer who tells me where to find the male and female and their nest. The nest is inside a hole in the tree. There are 2 owlets.
I head over. There are several people where the female owl is perched a tree. Her eyes are closed.
I see the hole where the owlets are supposed to be but there are no owlets peeking out.
I head towards the male; he's on the opposite side of the fenced area. He's wide wake and looking around. Pretty cool!
It's time to start heading back up the island.
To the south, big rain storms.
Heading back up the island, I see a new herd of 3 bison nestled on the north side of a small valley near Frary Peak.
A little further down the road, I see a male deer. He has smaller antlers still in velvet of course. He stops to scratch.
I decide to head over to the west side of the island; still looking for babies! I head up to Bison Point and see about 4 bison below.
I also see the storm crossing the Salt Lake to the south.
On the way down from Bison Point, I see 2 pronghorn.
I head towards the Visitors Center.
Three years ago, I helped install Burrowing Owl perches near the Center. I always look for the owls but have never seen one. But today, something catches my eye. I stop, it's a Burrowing Owl!!!! (My first ever.)
I've seen lots of cool stuff today but this is by far the topper!!
It's time to leave on that highest note.
At the start of the causeway, there's a small water hole with a bunch of birds. I stop for a look. There are at least 7 Curlew (yes, these are Curlew).
Many fly away after I stop but two remain.
When another car pulls behind me, the last two take flight. (Well that ends the day nicely.)
As I drive along the causeway, it's definitely raining to the south.
Well I came for pronghorn/bison babies but I left with awesome sightings of curlew, perhaps a Snipe, pelicans, Great Horned Owls and a Burrowing Owl. And saw bison, pronghorn, and deer. I didn't see any babies but I definitely no complaints.
Awesome day!
(And I'm glad I left when I did; when I got home I checked the radar. Large storms (the orange/red colored ones) past over the island after I left. On the evening news, someone posted photos of the hail from the storm belting the island.)
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