June 4 - Antelope Island

Heading off the Antelope Island today to continue my search for baby Pronghorn. I've never seen one and hoping to change that today.

It's a sunny day and heading towards 90s.

It's already 71 degrees at 8:30 when I arrive on the causeway. (Strange that the sign for "Biting Gnats" is removed even the lady at the gate was surprised as they normally only disappear when we have several 90+ degree days which hasn't happened yet. Guess I'll see soon.)

Lots of green along the causeway edges but still a dry lake bed -- the snow melt hasn't made that much of a difference at least here.

Tons of gulls flying and along the shores. I see flock of Avocets on the Farmington Bay side; I'll catch up with them later.

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch. I immediately see a Chukkar performing sentry duties on a rock.

There's a bison here, a couple there, and about 5 under the first pull-off -- I thought one of them was dead (on his side, legs out stiff) but he's was just taking a break from wallowing in the dirt.

The island is definitely browning up as the vegetation is drying.

By the metal water basin, there's herd of 4 bison - and a duck is sitting on the water basin.

Past Frary Peak, I finally see a large herd of bison down near the shoreline (where all the green vegetation is) - babies included. Many are lying down resting and a few wallowing.

Further on, I see a lone female pronghorn standing on a hill. She looks very much pregnant - I can what looks like little hooves in her belly. (Maybe the pronghorn are just starting to calve.)

 A little further along is another big herd. They are resting like the previous herd.

I arrive at the Ranch but continue down the dirt road past the Sentry Trail parking to the end of the road. A few Sulphers and Whites flying but no deer, antelope or bison.

I do pass a Snipe standing (on one leg) on a rock.

A little further down the road and there's another snipe on the opposite side of the road.

I turn around at the road's end and start my way back to the Ranch to check out the owls.

Unfortunately, they have the gate to the bird area locked. Not sure why but no owl check today :(

I head back up the road. That one female pronghorn, she's still on the hill but there's a male pronghorn not too far way.

Both bison herds are still resting.

Continuing on, I spot a lone male pronghorn resting on the lake bed.

Just before the intersection with the Visitor's Center loop is a lone bison. Everyone is stopping for the bison and not seeing the lone Pronghorn on the other side of the road. But I watch for a while as he grazes.

I turn on the loop heading to Bison Point. Almost immediately there are 2 bison near the road and one pronghorn a little further back.

I head up to Bison Point.

On the way back to the loop I see 2 pronghorn in the distance and oh my, it could be a baby!!! Yes, a baby pronghorn!!!!

The mother squats and I'm wondering if she might be having twins...no twins. The baby is staying close to Mom and is walking around. She even nurses.

I leave as there are many cars coming.

But as I head for the exit, I decide to loop back hoping they are moving closer to the road. As I loop around, I spot for a large flock of White Pelicans flying overhead. (Nearby Gunnison Island on the Salt Lake is home to one of the largest breeding colonies in North America.)

As I arrive again, the baby is standing with Mom and "Auntie". Then the baby takes of sprinting - go little guy - Mom and "Auntie" just watch.

I leave once again, perform a U-turn and come back. I still see "Auntie" but Mom and baby have disappeared.

As I leave for the final time, the lone pronghorn by the bison is now 2 pronghorn and they are now on the other side of the road heading towards the Visitor's Center; there's a 3rd pronghorn a little further way.

As I head out, I stop to look at the Avocets!

Awesome day!!! Baby Pronghorn Mission accomplished!