Beautiful morning!! Last night's rain clouds are still hanging over the mountains make for a very colorful (numerous shades of red/orange) sunrise. Oh, and it's already in the 60s at 8am. (Yes, it's a bit above normal for this year.)
I arrive on the causeway just before 9am. Water levels along the causeway are back to low (no surprises there). I see a Kestrel flying along looking for breakfast.
Ducks and shorebirds are still around but just not in the same numbers as a few weeks ago.
Once on the island, I head right to the Bison Corral which are on the north side of the island to the east of the White Rock Campground. Along the way I see a few bison that avoided the round-up last week-end - lucky fellows. (I heard last time I went, that most times they just don't bother the older bulls.)
When I turn to head west, there's at least 10 pronghorn to the south. I stop to watch. I was hoping to see a big herd today -- it's that time of year where the males claim their harems.
Onward to the Bison Corral!
I park next to a horse pen. Behind the horses are two bison pens. One of the pens has Moms and small calves - little guys coming "out-of-season". The other pen holds a small herd of bison. I can understand why the Mom/babies are separate from the bigger herd but not sure about this other herd.
I walk over to the Physical Area. Lots of sounds of hooves/heads banging against the metal chutes as the bison are moved through to get their physicals.
I climb a few steps to a raised platform to view the physical. When I arrive, there a bison already in the chute. There's a metal ring in her nose pulling her head to the left - just trying to keep her under control and protect the folks working around her head.
I can hear the staff talking about/treating an infected wound.
Soon its time to release her. Off comes the nose ring, she thrashes her head back and forth, and then off she goes to rejoin the bigger herd --- with a big white spray patch over her wound.
After a few minutes, the next "patient" enters the chute.
From that Platform, I'm very near individual pens where those selected for next week's auction are being held. Lots of grunting and moaning coming from these animals.
The auction is held to keep the bison numbers under control and appropriate for the carrying capacity of the island which is around 550 bison. The auction bison will be used for food, establish new herds, or replenish genetics in existing herds. Note: that these bison have been tested as a pure American Bison. Something that is rare these days. My guide for today says that the average cost of a bison at last year's auction was $900; the highest was over $1700. (And if I remember correctly, the funds raised are directed back to Antelope Island State Park and its maintenance which is nice - especially after this year with fire and the wind damage at the Ranch.)
I climb down and join a tour (it's the only way to get to see the entire process). Our 1st stop is viewing of the main holding pen and the first 3 chutes. The main pen holds all the bison rounded up last week-end. From there, bison are moved in groups of 4-5 into one of 3 large chutes.
From there, one group of bison is then moved to yet another large chute before finally the entering the Physical area.
(The tour guide explains the the Mom/Calves will be kept in the Corals until Spring to help them thru the winter and to get the females in the same breeding cycle as the rest of the herd.
The smaller herd next to the Mom/Calves were selected for a research study and are waiting GPS collars before they are released.)
While standing here, we see a Jackrabbit hop by.
What a beautiful morning!
From there, we walk to the final chute before the Physicals. There's 5 bison.
One guy is so scared his eyes are red and bulging. They are all very skiddish - don't blame them, strange place, people standing over you, etc.
There's grunting, huffing and a strange gurgling noise coming from the bison - all signs of stress.
Soon is ready for these bison to be moved to the Physical area.
And a new group move in.
On ward to watch the physicals. Shots, pregnancy checks (if required), lots of metal banging as each are moved through the process.
Interesting time but I need to get going to start my hike of Sentry Trail. The area was part of the big fire this summer. Last time I was here, it was greening up but I couldn't hike because a large herd of bison was blocking my way -- they were eating the nice fresh green vegetation.
Today I don't have to worry about the bison as most are at the Corral!! :)
As I head back to the main road, I'm looking for those Pronghorn I saw earlier. As I come upon the area, I don't see the Pronghorn :(
But I see a large buck (Mule Deer) running (very regally) towards the road and across.
A little behind him, is another buck. (His tongue is hanging out; I have no idea why.)
The second one never crosses but head in the opposite direction.
I reach the main road and head towards the Ranch. Along the way, I see a few more bison that escaped the round-up this year.
I park at the trail head and see a couple of Sulphers flying.
At the start of the trail are some palettes with large bags of seed. I see a tractor down by Mushroom Springs. After the fire, I know the Rangers were talking about re-seeding the burned areas with native plants; looks like that effort has started (yea!).
I start my walk toward Mushroom Springs. Lots of wonderful green everywhere!
I see a few more Sulphers and grasshoppers.
I also have a little swarm of mosquitoes flying along side of me almost the whole way to the Springs. (Thankfully keeping their distance.) As I near, they disappear - hoping they haven't landed on me.
Definitely some reseeding happening near the Springs.
I continue up to the first long flat switchback.
I stop to see one of the yellow flowers and get the biggest surprise of the day; in the middle of this burned area, I find one Melissa Blue!!
How did it survive?! The Sulphers I'm not surprised at because they probably came from the nearby unburned areas. Not sure about the Melissa Blue. Happy surprise though!
Continuing upwards, thru the greening landscape, I can still smell the burn despite the recovery that is already happening.
I finally reach the long switchback; I can see the reseeding efforts here to.
And my 2nd surprise, a Western Pygmy Blue!!
Time to head up to the ridge. Along the way, I see 2 lizards.
I reach what looked like Mars a few months ago. It's improved just not as much as the rest of the trail.
There's grasshoppers hopping/flying here.
I finally reach the ridge and the views to the West. Beautiful day!
I head across the ridge towards and then behind Sentry Peak.
And then start down. Great shades of green!!
On the way down, I find a Pronghorn "horn" in the middle of the trail. It's hollow inside and there is still hairs inside.
Continuing down, I get a glimpse of a dragonfly zipping by.
And I see another Western Pygmy Blue near Mushroom Springs.
Good day for the recovering burn areas!
Time to drive back up the island.
I find a small herd of bison near a burned area. Big difference in landscape.
And further along, I find a bigger herd of Pronghorn - 17+ animals.
One is trailing a good 30 yards behind. Probably the male.
Awesome day!
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