Jan 7 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny with highs near 50 degrees - can't ask for a better day in January. Things change tonight as a cold front rolls thru for more seasonal temperatures.

I start across the causeway around 8:30am -- it's 37 degrees with a very light wind.

As I cross, there's what looks like a different hawk on the perch the Rough Legged Hawk usually sits. (It has a white breast. Unfortunately, he flies before I can get a good look. :(

I reach the island and turn south towards the Ranch.

Again, no bison behind the Visitor's Center but I do find what I believe is a Prairie Falcon - awesome!

The rest of the drive to the Ranch is critter-free - yes, not even a single bison. It's a 1st in 9 nine year! Wow!

Actually, that's no quite true as I do see a Kestrel and a juvenile Bald Eagle.

And a coyote trotting north along the lake bed across from the outhouse. (I saw one here a few weeks ago.)

I'm also confused as this Winter, I have seen hardly any Porcupine, Pheasant or Deer. Not sure if they had a tough time with the drought or maybe a coyote explosion. Very confused.

At the Ranch, I decide to hike up to Sentry Peak. 

Unfortunately, there's a couple walking their dog ahead of me so it's not quite a solo hike but I'm sure I'll pass them at some point.

And I do just past Mushroom Springs. Just after passing them, I spot a small group of Pronghorn on the hills ahead of me running. 

I point to them and shout Pronghorn (to make sure the couple behind me can see them). I turn and he's already pointing them out too.

Hey, it's not a small herd; it's a super herd!!! Probably the same one I saw a couple of weeks ago. Way cool!

I continue on up the hill to the long switchback; then across and up the 2nd hill to the ridge. Only patches of snow left so it's a pretty easy walk.

At the ridge, I look down the west side hopefully for some bison but nothing. :(

I take a real short break and start across the ridge. It's a muddy trail.

I keep scanning downhill for critters but nothing.

I'm probably 150 yards from the picnic bench when I look back (like I always do) and not 30 yards downhill from me are 3 bison moving towards the ridge. They are stopped and 2 of them have their tails up and they are looking at me! Crap!

I continue south for a few steps and stop and watch them. We stare at each other for a bit but they continue on, disappearing for a few seconds in a dip and then up again stopping on a snow patch.

As I watch, I look up to see another 5 bison 20 yards north of them. Wow! I never saw them. Swales are great animal hiders! So glad I stopped and looked back!

I continue along the ridge meeting up with couple again just past Sentry Trail. I stop to warn them about the bison and they ask about my cameras which I left them inspect. They are looking for a good light trail camera. Love mine!

Time to head down hill 

and back to my car.

Once at my car, it's a drive up the island, across the causeway.

Awesome day!

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