Oct 2 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Cloudy morning especially over the mountains so I'm heading up to Antelope Island to see how the fire burned areas are progressing especially with the recent rains.

As I start crossing the causeway just after the entrance, the local cattle are grazing on the Great Salt Lake side and there are hunters (all dressed in camo) on the Farmington Bay side.

Lots of gulls along the shores.

And the bugs are crazy!! Along one stretch of the road they were Splatting against my windshield like a rain storm. But they are what draws all the shorebirds and ducks ....

Nice flat water this morning.

I reach the island and head south to the Ranch. There's a few bison along the stretch behind the Visitor's Center. Two right next to the road - I can hear them ripping thru the grasses.

There's more a bit farther along the road.

I hear my first Western Meadowlark in months.

Not a lot of activity along the road this morning. All the usual "good" spots are animal-free.

I don't see more bison until I get to the last mile before the Ranch - quite a few in fact.

I reach the Ranch and check out the damage from the storms the other week.

Many other building damaged -- I've never seen a metal roof curled up from the rafters by wind. (I talked to a DNR guy and he said it was all repairable it will just take time - it's the State Govt after all.)

I then continue to the Sentry Trail parking. And surprise, the burned area is "greening" up. No more brown dirt, there's short green grass!

And eating those fresh green grasses, there's a huge herd of bison! Babies and all! Awesome to see!

They are spread out with a big herd along the road past the trail head, lots of scattered animals between the road and Mushroom Springs, and a larger group by the Springs.

I'm not sure I can safely thru all these animals to complete the Sentry Trail. But I'm off to see.

Looks so much different out here now - just all fresh and green now - and it will only continue to get better.

I walk along the trail towards Mushroom Springs passing many bison 50-100 yards off (and farther).

And a raptor flying overhead.

As I near the Springs, it becomes clear that's its going to tough to continue the trail. If it was just the bison by the Springs, I can go around thru the meadow. But there are bison in the meadow that I'll come close to - including Moms and calfs. Hmm.... I stand there for a while assessing the situation and decide that it's not a safe thing to do. It'll be a short day today.

I head back to my car and drive down the dirt road to get a bit closer to the bison a little farther down the road.

Time to head back and over to the other side of the island.

On the other side near the Bridger Bay campground is another herd of bison (maybe 20). Among the bison is one pronghorn (my token pronghorn for the day).

Time to head home! Good day!