Dec 29 - Antelope Island

Heading up after a somewhat shorter work day to Antelope Island to check things out. A few days ago, snow covered the island (and the roads) and I didn't get too far. The roads are plowed now (probably still mostly snow packed though), its sunny, in the mid-20s....it's a perfect day...well, except for the inversion. Still a Yellow Day but the "Yuk" is still very visible.

I arrive on the island around 1:30pm. The causeway is totally free of snow (yea!). Still looking very frozen on both sides of the causeway - and hazy.  When I reach the open water near the bridge, there are still hundreds of Shovelers swimming around.

I continue toward the island and spot a large, dark bird sitting on one of the tall poles in the marina. Could it be a Bald Eagle?! We've had the snow and cold, perhaps they are already coming down from Idaho .... I stop ......it's a Bald Eagle!!! First one of the season!

How cool is that! Checking out those ducks for a quick morning breakfast I bet.

I continue onto the island heading south towards the Ranch. (I thought about hiking the White Rock trail today but with a snowy trail (which make the hike slower) and with the sun setting around 5pm, I don't think I'll have enough time.)

The road is snow packed or icy or clear depending where you are but definitely better than Monday.

I see a bison within the 1st mile. I stop for a look. As I get out of my car, I hear a coyote howling. Lovely sound, this could be an interesting day!

There's another bison across the road.

I continue down the road and after rounding a turn, there's a flock of Chukkars crossing the road. I stop and watch them cross and watch them walk up a little hill thru the snow.

I continue on passing the first viewpoint (probably the highest part of the road) - there's really not much of a view with the haze. As I come down the hill, there's a coyote in the big meadow below!!! I stop and get out of my car for a better look. He's a good distance away but he's know I'm there as he stops and looks my direction.

Bet he was the one howling just a few minutes ago. (Coyote #1)

Soon I arrive at the Frary Peak turnoff - there are bison here so I pull in the parking for a look. There's about 7 bison across the street grazing near the rocks. And a larger herd (25-30 animals) above up near the White Rock Trail.

Continuing on, I see a porcupine in a tree (one of two today).

I spot for a bird perched in a tree; it's a Northern Flicker.

There are several small bison herds scattered along the road.

Further down, there's a car pulled off; a clear sign a critter is around. Hey, there's Coyote #2 climbing a small hill near the road.

Somewhere past the Frary Gravesite Trail, there's a small wooden fence. As I get closer, I can see Pronghorn legs in between the posts. I drive past the fence and there's not a couple of Pronghorn; it's a super mega herd!! There's a big group and then the pronghorn continue south as far as I can see. I think the island has somewhere between 100-200 pronghorn, I'd bet they're all here. (Via photos, I count 66 at this one stop, but they continue south.)

I'm wondering if they are all here because their other feeding grounds to the south and west was burned this summer by the fire (burnt 1/2 the island). Should be interesting if they stick around all winter.

As I'm watching, a large brown bird of prey flies by.

I continue driving and reach the stop where the bison hung out all summer. And there's more pronghorn feeding here. Amazing!!

I finally reach the Ranch and head down to see if I can find the Great Horned Owls. The area was closed after the massive wind storm blew through in the summer (blew the roof off the barn and other historic building too); I'm hoping it re-opened. Nope, still closed. :(

Well, since I've seen one Bald Eagle today, might as well hike over to Mushroom Springs to see if there are any perched there (it's a spot they've liked in the past).

As I start my walk near the Ranch, there are lots of Bison tracks in the snow.

I continue down the snowy road looking for deer but see none. Instead, I find Coyote #3!!!

He soon moves off into the brush and I lose him. So I continue my walk thru the "tundra".

I reach the actual trail to Mushroom Springs and start heading west. There have been people through on snowshoes and walking but not enough to flatten the snow. As I near Mushroom Spring, I do see a dark blob in the trees.

It's a Bald Eagle!!

I reach the Springs and head towards the tree - I just follow the people tracks. What a beautiful bird! And always exciting to see!

Time to head back.

As I head back, I hear at least 2 coyotes to the West (behind me) howling and yipping. I so love that sound especially when they are going back and forth. I stop and turn hoping to see them. I don't find them but I do listen. Soon, there's another howl to the south. And the calls ping-pong between the 2 groups.

Then a coyote to the east -- probably my buddy Coyote #3 -- joins in the fun! But for some reason after he joins, the howls are silenced.

I continue along east towards the road and I see Coyote #3 in the distance.

After reaching road, I continue north back to the Ranch and my car.

As I head north on the island, I reach the nearest group of Pronghorn. They are now heading south.

But what about that first group?

Well, they are stopped near the road a few miles ahead with many cars pulled-off watching.

I think they want to cross the road but the people are making them skittish. Would love to stay and see what they finally end up doing but that could be hours. I'm moving on.

But first, there's a small herd of bison directly across from the Pronghorn on the other side of the road; it's a 2 for 1 stop!!

And before I get back in my car, a couple of coyotes start to howl. Very cool!

Soon I make a stop for a Porcupine. He's actually moving around. Probably feeding on some of that orange fruit.

Continuing down the road, I spot something under some trees; it's Coyote #4!!! As I'm watching, I hear a coyote howl in the distance and then Coyote #4 joins in!

When they stop, I continue on to Frary Peak making a stop for those bison I saw earlier near the rocks. There's a few more of them now.

Then onto the west side of the island and Bison Point. I pass a few bison on my way there. My plan is to walk up to Bison Point but when I get out of my car -- Brrrrrrrr! Same temperature but its windy and the sun is lower. Just one photo.

And I'm gone!

I head down, pass a herd of bison near the road, then turn towards the Visitor's Center. It's a good spot to kill some time while waiting for the sun to set in about 40 minutes. (And I want to see my 1st Antelope Island sunset).

Conveniently, there's a group of bison at the turn to the Visitor's Center.

I take a very very short paved trail outside the Visitor's Center for a view of  the Causeway.

Then I drive to the Causeway and park near the bridge.

On the Farmington Bay side, there's a pinkish hue to the frozen lake water now due to the setting sun. The icy crystals still glistening in the fading sunlight.

I can see the mountains too!

The Salt Lake side, I'm near the open water with the ducks. But the remaining landscape is cold looking. (And I'm freezing.)

I've got some time so I decide to turn my car around and loop back around the Visitor's Center. Maybe I'll find a deer.

As I pass Bison Point, the sun has disappeared behind it. The horizon is starting to glow.

As I pass the beach area, I find those deer! Two of them. One is a doe and the other, well all I can see is its rump as they feed in the sagebrush.

I pass those bison near the Visitor Center. Can't beat the view!

Then back to the causeway for the final setting.

Pretty incredible!!!

And if that wasn't a fantastic ending to the day, I see a Barn Owl fly by as I exit the Park.

Awesome day!

Dec 26 - Antelope Island

Well, Mother Nature gifted me 11 inches of fluffy white snow on Christmas Day -- so lovely to look at but it still needs to be shoveled :)

With all the snow, I'm excited to go up to Antelope Island this morning. Not sure how much fell on the island but I'll know soon enough.

It's a chilly morning - about 18 degrees when I leave - but it's bright and sunny out!! Thankfully the highways are clear and traffic is light this morning.

Antelope Dr (which goes straight onto the island in about 5+ miles) is somewhat clear - packed snow/ice in spots. I'm sure it'll be much better when the sun starts melting the packed snow/ice.

In some of the more open spots, there's a thin layer of fog near the ground - looks really pretty. Lots of glistening heavy frost in those spots.

I arrive on the island, the causeway is packed snow (not sure if a plow really has been across yet) but its drive-able and then scenery is awesome (a very frozen landscape).

About 1/2 along the causeway, I reach a fog bank. Driving thru is a bit eerie as the visibility is not far. But at times, I get pea\eks of Frary Peak above the fog bank.

Things open up as I near the island. And there's open water (with steam rising) near the bridge.

In the water on the Farmington Bay side, there are only a few ducks. But on the Salt Lake side, hundreds of ducks (Shovelers). Pretty incredible but it's the only water around.

I arrive on the island and start heading south towards the Ranch. The road is a single snow packed lane. (Definitely not plowed yet.)

Not too far along (still in view of the Visitors Center), I reach 4 snow covered bison.

Across the road is another with his head buried in the snow trying to graze.

I continue further but now I'm driving in tire ruts. I'm sure I can make it to the Ranch (it's only about 4-5 inches of snow) but 10+ more miles of this,..I'm just not feeling it -- if only I had 4-wheel drive.... So at the 1st viewpoint, I turn my car around and head back.

I decide to see how the west side of the island is --- the road is back to snow packed which is good. No animals around that I can see. I head towards Bison Point, but that hill is only 2 tire ruts to follow -- I'll pass. I complete the loop around the Visitor's Center and head back across the causeway.

Well, certainly not the day I was hoping for but still a nice trip.

Dec 22 - Road to Mormon Trail (aka Jeremy Ranch)

Took off early from work today to get a short walk in before the winter storm arrives this week-end. Heading up (out of the yucky valley air) towards Park City to walk the dirt road to the Mormon Trail (my favorite butterfly spot in the summer).

This is an easy walk as it is mostly flat thru the foothills on the Wasatch Back. Giving myself one hour to see how far I can get down the road (because is goes for miles). Also, it's not sunny and it's only in the upper 20s.

Heading up thru the foothills is very pretty - lots of snow on the north facing slope and a bit of snow on the south facing. We are definitely in need of some more snow (and it's coming soon).

I park and start down the snow packed/icy dirt road. Seems like there's probably around 6-9 inches of snow on the ground and it's really pretty.

I see a few Golden Eye and Mallard ducks in the stream as I head down the road.

Keeping my eye out for deer/elk/moose and birds - perhaps I'll get lucky.

It's really quiet out; not sure where the birds are hiding.

The views are really nice.

And I am seeing small animals track along the creek. There is a set of large animal tracks heading down from the foothills to the creeks - but just tracks, no animals to be seen.


I finally reach the part of the road that's right next to the stream, a good spot for birds last year. But absolutely nothing today. (Darn, I was hoping to see a Kingfisher; saw several when I was here last year.)

Time to head back.

I'm at the point where the stream crosses under the road to the east side and there it is - a Kingfisher!! He's flying down the east side of the creek, flies over the road, and continues flying along the stream. Well, that made my day!

Nice walk...now back down into the haze.

Dec 18 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

The snow keeps flying around here on week-ends. That's a good thing; 135 inches at the resorts so far - not much in the valley though as we've been getting rain.

But today, although cold, is supposed to be sunny so I'm heading to Antelope Island to hike the Sentry Trail (tried a few weeks ago but it was too cold - and not sunny).

It's a chilly morning (7 degrees) but the sun is up as I head north. As I arrive on the causeway, there are snow clouds (squalls perhaps over Frary Peak and more to the west).

The first part of the causeway is just frozen ground - not even snow flakes around. As I go farther along, I start seeing puddles of frozen water of various sizes. Finally, I reach the water -- all frozen -- on both sides of the causeway. Looks really pretty on the Salt Lake side!

There is open water near the island around the bridge with a few ducks swimming around.

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch. It's sunny but I'm heading towards the clouds.

There no animals to be seen on the northern part of the island.

But a few miles in, I see a single animal moving towards the road from one of the water bins. It's a big buck! I speed up trying to get closer before he crosses the road. I can't see him anymore so I stop and wait hoping that I haven't passed him. A few seconds later, he struts up and across the road

then into the sagebrush where he disappears.

I continue down the island. Around Frary Peak, it's starts to snow. Nothing hard but it's snow and it's covering the road. Still no animals to be seen yet.

Finally I see a herd of bison against the mountains. They are hard to see with the snow falling.

There's another herd in the fields near the Ranch - in the distance.

I park at the Ranch and head to the Sentry Trail.

The dirt road has a light covering of snow (just enough to cover the icy spots - oops, slippery).

I see 2 deer in the trees on the south side of the Ranch. It's a typical spot to see them.

I also scare 2 hawks off their fence perches as I near.

I reach the trail and start my way up to Mushroom Springs. Beautiful day!

Just before I arrive, I see another herd of bison 1/2 way up one of the peaks. I'll get a closer look when I get to the long flat switchback.

Definitely a wonderful day with the snow on the ground.

I'm sure it'll be falling on me soon.

I get up the hill to the flat switchback and start to cross. Those bison, well they are on the move towards Mushrooms Springs. (I might have a challenging time getting by them on my way back.)

As I cross the switchback, it starts to snow. When I reach the remaining uphill portion, the snow clouds look like they are heading my way. I don't mind the snow but I do mind the sun going away as it's only 20 degrees with a light breeze. I decide to turn around.

By the time I reach Mushroom Springs, the bison are already there.

As I'm watching them, I hear barking. It's near but I can't find the source. Not the first time I've heard barking on the island; have to assume its a coyote.

I pass and continue back to my car. (Those 2 deer near the Ranch are now 5.)

I reach my car and head back north. Lots of clouds now and snow -- again nothing heavy, just very pretty.

I see 5 pronghorn along the way. They must have just crossed the road and are continuing south east.

And then there's the coyote walking thru the grasses!!!

I see my 1st porcupine of the season in a tree. Too far of any sort of picture. But there's another not too far away. I stop, get out and walk to the tree for a close-up. He's being shy.

I also see 3 bison moving south near Frary Peak.

I head over to the west side of the island. Just a few scattered bison over here.

Back on the causeway, I stop for a look at those ducks (Golden Eyes I believe). There many more now, especially on the Salt Lake side.

I'm almost to the exit when I see a bird of prey sitting on the ground near the road. I pass him but turn around for a better look. He stays for just a moment

before flying off.

What a perfect ending to an odd weather day!

Awesome day!

Dec 4 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading to Antelope Island this morning - it's cold (mid-20s) but the sun is out so why not!

My plan is to hike the Sentry Trail but as I get further north, there are lots of clouds north and east of the island. Hoping they keeping pushing east.

But as I arrive on the island, it's mostly cloudly now. The sun is trying to show thru but not being very successful.

Not much snow along the causeway but the island's peaks have a thin layer of snow on them. Looks nice.

When I finally reach the water on Farmington Bay, it's frozen. Just one small pocket of open water where there are 20-30 ducks and a boat. I've never seen a boat in the Bay before. Curious. The Wasatch Mts look awesome all snow-covered.

The Salt Lake side is open water as one would expect. No ducks on this side only a few shorebirds.

And there is a guy fishing.

As I arrive on the island, I see a few bison behind the Visitor's Center on the far north side of the island. They appear to be near the road but I'm making a left turn and heading south towards the Ranch.

As I head south, I see only a lone bison against the skyline.

But as I make the final left towards the Ranch, I find a huge herd of Pronghorn. They are hard to count as they are on a hill sloping down toward the Bay but there has to be 40-50 animals. Some are grazing but some of sitting down. Pretty cool to see so many of them in one spot.

I continue down the island.

I make a pit stop at the Frary Peak turn-off. As I get out of the  car, there's something that catches my eye on the slopes but since no one in the parking lot seems to be looking at them, I figure they are just odd rocks or something. But as I get back in my car, I have to take a look. I zoom in and yes, they are a small herd of Mule Deer (looks like all doe - nope there's at least one male).

Continuing on, I'm seeing no other animals - I'm not sure where all the bison all.

I finally find the bison several miles farther down the road about 1 mile before the Ranch. It's a good size herd grazing/resting along the fire line (fresh growth vs old growth).

I arrive at the Ranch. The road to the Sentry Trail parking is closed for the winter. (The hike gets a mile longer today.) I park and start down the dirt road. Behind the Ranch, there's another herd of deer (all doe). I count 11 but there may be more than the one I counted in the trees.

I continue to the trail head and then start making my way to Mushroom Springs. It's a little chilly; somehow 30 degrees with sun is so much warmer than no sun - so Mushroom Springs is my destination today.

Very quiet out. No animals to be seen other than that rock that looks like a sitting coyote.

I stop at the Springs pond which is frozen this morning for a look at a snowy Sentry Peak.

Time to turn around. On the way back to  my car, I only spot 1 deer behind the Ranch. The rest I saw earlier must be in the trees.

As I drive back up the island. I pass that herd of bison. The herd of deer near Frary Peak have moved lower down the hill. Much more easily seen now.

The large herd of Pronghorn have not moved.

I head to the west side of the island towards Bison Point. I find another large herd of bison along the way.

And many small (4-6 animal) herds scattered a bout. The bison are liking the west side today.

I drive up to the Bison Point parking only for the cloudy view of White Rock Bay.

I head down and over to the beach. I'm driving along a field of sagebrush searching for more deer. However, I find something better, a coyote!! He's trotting along the edge of the sagebrush. I get a very short decent view of him before he disappears in the taller grass. (I've seen the Antelope Island Big 4 today - bison, pronghorn, deer, and coyote!!)

I make a brief stop at the Visitor's Center for a chance at seeing the Badger that hangs around there. (The State Park people have posted photos of it a couple of times this Fall.) I do find it's burrow holes but the badger is not out today.)

I leave and head around the north side of the island. I find that group of 4 bison I saw when I arrived on the island; they are still behind the Center. Oh, and there's another small group just below them on the other side of the road. These guys are bedded down - they are hard to see.

Back on the causeway, I stop to check out those ducks. Well, they are not real duck; they are decoys. I find this out because a guy pops up in the boat and starts shooting at a flying duck. That was scary! I've never seen anyone hunting that close to the island - seems a bit dangerous to be firing a rifle when there are people driving very nearby. Kinda scary.

Great day!

Dec 2 - Temple Square Christmas Lights

Headed out to Temple Square tonight with my nephew to enjoy the Christmas lights/displays.

There are several manager scenes representing cultures around the world.

Plenty of lights.

And of course, the traditional manager scene. (I found it this year!!)

Beautiful evening!!

Dec 2 - Cardiff Fork (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Well the snow has finally arrived - actually it came the week of Thanksgiving - by the loads in the mountains (close to 4 ft I believe). So today, it's time to head up and enjoy some of it.

Walking up to the Cardiff Fork meadow (around 1 - 1.5 miles). Figuring most of the snow should be packed down by snowshoes and x-country skis but now, so I'm just wearing my boots.

Sunny morning and crisp - 19 degrees at the trail head (~7200 ft).

I cross the little bridge (and a small stream). The stream is open with lovely views on the west side.

And east side.

I head up the plowed, but still snow covered road. In the summer, this road is open to cars but now, only local residents can get thru. It adds about 1 miles round-trip to the the hike.

There were flurries yesterday that didn't stick in the valley but they did here covering the branching and dead plant stalks/seed heads with about a 1/2 inch of snow. Extremely pretty! Especially as the snow falls from the trees in the breeze.

Mt Reynolds is looking lovely this morning.

I arrive at the actual trail head. As expected, the snow is packed from the skis. But it is still soft in spots making walking a little more difficult than clear ground.

I cross the creek.

And then start heading up the hill thru the conifer forest.

The creek that winds alongside the trail is invisible - covered in snow. I actually can not even hear it except in one spot where it is visible only for a moment.

I can hear birds chirping this morning. There at least some Chickadees. But I do not see them.

Soon I can see an opening coming -- it's the meadow!

As I continue further to get some better views, there are mini snowballs that have rolls down the steep mountain side.

I step off the packed snow a few times to take some pictures - there's about 18 inches of light fluffy snow off the beaten path.

Boy do I love this place in the winter!!

There's a couple of snow trails coming down from the mountains to the east to the creek. Think those are deer/moose trails.

After a bit, it's time to start back down.

Wonderful day!