But not visiting the mountains today; heading off to Antelope Island - White Rock Trail is the hike.
I arrive around 8:30am on the causeway. It's sunny down in Salt Lake but up here, the sun is blocked but high clouds.
The Salt Lake and Farmington Bay sides are dry (totally expected -- hoping for lots of snow to fill them both up come Spring). I can see snow still on Frary Peak but the lower grounds on the island are snow-free.
I finally reach water about 1-2miles from the island. On the Salt Lake side, there are no birds, just some fishermen in a boat. The Farmington Bay side is filled with thousands of birds - Shovelers - I believe.
I arrive on the island and head towards the Ranch.
There's a small herd of bison not far from the entrance.
I head South. Around the first water bin, I see a hawk flying outside my driver's window (flying along the side of the road). It face is so cute - almost owl-like. It also has a white bar above it's tail and black/white tail feathers. I speed up to get ahead hoping to get a good photo - well, I did get a photo. I believe it's a Northern Harrier.
As I approach Frary Peak, I notice a bunch of cars in the lower lot with people and spotting scopes pointed towards the rocks just to the north. I pass by but I have to see what's going on so I turn around and join the group. I can't see anything in the rocks so I ask a lady who's standing nearby. She informs me that a small group of bison and small herd of buck (male deer) just past thru. The bison have moved off but some of the deer are still in the rocks. Very cool! But I still can't see the deer so I get back in my car and continue down the road.
I pass around the rocks; I can't see any deer but I do see the bison. They've made some progress northward and are heading toward to another bin of water. (The one a small herd of Pronghorn hung out around after this Summer's fire.)
As I near the bin, I notice two deer in the grasses down by Farmington Bay. I stop; it looks like they might be two males antler fighting. They may have been jousting but they are just feeding now.
As I return to my car, I see those bison (who were slowing marching toward the water bin) are now running to the water. Too funny!!
I continue down the road. Soon, there's another small herd of bison on the right. And then I see 3 deer (all doe) down by Farmington Bay. (The day appears to be for the deer!)
I arrive at the Ranch and head down the dirt road towards the Sentry Peak parking. I see a couple more deer on the Ranch grounds.
I pass the Sentry parking and continue down to the end of the road (for the public). Still looking for Pronghorn or coyote but only find a rather large herd of bison at the gate.
Time to head back so I can get to my hike.
I see those 3 deer again. And the bison are still near the water bin - with one deer still below. As I near the rocks, there are multiple cars parked all looking at one buck (large rack) moving south.
There are still folks at the lower Frary Peak parking looking still looking at the rocks.
I see a few bison up near the White Rock ridge -- maybe I'll see them later on my hike.
I head west across the island towards White Rock trail head - no animals around. As I park at the trail head, there is a small group along the lower part of the trail. I'll be passing them soon.
I start the trail; it's only 43 degrees out but the sun is coming!! Soon I pass those bison. The ones on the right are taking a nap.
While the ones on the left are grazing.
They pay no attention to me as I pass.
A little further up the trail, there's a lone bison about 15 ft off the trail. He too is snoozing.
Not much going on along the trail - hey, it's mid-Nov that's expected.
I do spot a Clouded Sulpher flying!
About 1/2 hr later, I arrive at the view of White Rock valley.
I'm wondering if there are bison on the ridge (I saw a few up here earlier). Well, the answer is yes - and I won't be taking the long trail today because the herd is standing on the trail. It's the short trail again today!
The views from the ridge are good today - not much of an inversion.
As I head along the inner loop, I spot a grasshopper.
A dragonfly
A few blooming flowers.
And a Shrike.
No bison or Pronghorn in the valley though or along this trail.
I head back and eventually reach those bison again. Most are up and grazing.
Time to head home!
When I arrive back at the Causeway, Farmington Bay is so still; it's a mirror.
Wonderful ending to a wonderful day!
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