The 2022 Utah Adventure

 A partly sunny day with temps in the mid-50s. Heading up to Antelope Island to get a quick hike in before the winds pick-up before a weak storm arrives later this evening. I arrive on the causeway just after 8am. It's sunny but clouds are rolling in and they are in fact at the north end of the island. I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch as the plan is to hike the Sentry Trail - bison permitting. There are several bison among the rocks; they are very hard to see. I don't see another critter until I reach the White Rock area where that herd of bison is still hanging out. But surprise, there's a small herd of Pronghorn just south of them and up the slopes a bit. They are just laying there observing the sunrise. It's quiet the rest of the way to the Ranch and wouldn't you know it, there's bison just south of the Ranch's fence line and they are way too close to the road. Additionally, there a herd farther south of the Sentry Trail. They would...

 Sunny day with temps in the 40s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike the Gravel Pit. Along the causeway, I see a Kestrel (in the usual area)  and a Bald Eagle (on the Farmington Bay side) in the construction area. Still lots of ducks but because of the warmer temps, there's a lot more open water so the ducks are not all clumped together. Oh, there's a coyote out on the ice and he's howling. I wonder if this is part of the pair I saw last. Guess he's howling for his mate. Pretty cool! I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. Hey, there's a large herd of bison on the west side of the road under White Rock Ridge. There's a smaller group of bison higher up. (That's where I saw my 1st maybe bison of 2021!) Continuing on I see a lone Pronghorn  and then farther down, I see a small herd of Pronghorn running west, crossing the road and still running. I look east to see one other Pronghorn catching up. Probably the male rounding up his harem. There a s...

 Sunny day with temps in the 50s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike either White Rock or Sentry Peak; I'll decide when I get there. In the 30s when I arrive on the causeway. Still lots of ducks near the island but I do not see any Bald Eagles this morning. (And there are zero cars parked near the ducks so there must not be Bald Eagles around this morning.) I do, however, find a coyote out on the ice. There's a large object next to him -- too big for a duck so I'm not sure what it is. But there looks to have been a successful near near that coyote.  (Looking at the photos, that large object is another coyote. My guess is a mated pair; it is nearing Spring after all.) I arrive on the island and head south. I'm thinking of hiking Sentry Peak but a State Park Ranger turns and heads in the direction of the Ranch (i.e., Sentry Peak) so it's White Rock. I haven't hiked the full trail in months so it should be good. There are no animals behind the Visitor's Cent...

 Beautiful day forecast  with sunny skies and temps in near 50 degrees. In desparate need of snow or any form of moisture - we've had almost nothing since the beginning of the year -- very sad, especially after an extreme drought year. Very noticable as I drive up BCC as the south facing slopes are bare/almost bare of snow. Looks more like April/May than Feb. I arriving at the Mill D South parking around 9:30. Quite a few cars already here. The road is solidly snow packed - glad I have the microspikes (especially for the trip back). It's in the low 30s but still chilly as the sun is still coming up over the mountains. Very crisp and crunching for snow with every step. The bridge crossing has little water but hey, there's about 3 feet of snow. The trail up to the meadow is thankfully snowpacked from the X-country skiers so it's easy walking. I can hear no water running along side the road - again 3+ feet of snow. When I reach a sunny section, I hear lots of birds but oth...

 Sunny and 16 degrees this morning. My plan was to hike towards Mill D South mine but it's too cold - brr! Heading to Antelope Island instead when it's still cold but I can hike in the sun. I reach the causeway before 8:30. Still tons of ducks just before the island (some are in what appears to be a fog - strange) and I see 1 Bald Eagle out there. I reach the island and head towards the Ranch. Again, the first sign of critters are bison a 1 or 2 from the Ranch. They are right off the road. And there's another larger herd to the west of the overflow parking lot and more bison behind the Ranch - no looking for Owls today! Time to head north. Behind the trees (and very hidden) across from Frary Peak, I see 1 bison laying. I'm sure there are probably a couple more in there because there were a few here on Sunday. And surprise, on the north end of the Beacon Hill mountainside is a lone Pronghorn!! I reach the road to the Gravel Pit trail, park and start across the parking lo...

 Heading up to Antelope Island for a hike of the Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill. It's sunny and very chilly (in the teens). Along the causeways are several Bald Eagles and lots of "food" (i.e, ducks). Looks like the Eagles did get some of the ducks. Oh, and plenty of cars watching those eagles -- I guess the word is out that Antelope Island is "the" place to see the eagles.  I reach the island and head south to the Ranch. It is on this drive that I realize that I didn't bring sun tan lotion - shoot! guess I'm not hiking to do. :( I'm surprised by a coyote trotting south near the 1st water trough. I think he was wanting to cross the road until I came along. Sorry guy! Usual drive with no critters until I'm about at the Ranch when I meet a herd of bison. When I reach the island, I decide to check for owls - unfortunately I am not successful. Time to head north stopping for at least 2 bison hidden in the grasses across from Frary Peak. Then its over to t...

 Sunny day in the 30s. Perfect day for a nice quiet walk up Lambs Canyon Rd. The road is very snow packed - we haven't had snow in over a month so it's not surprising. Easy walking. A couple of feet of snow still on the canyon sides (the shadier ones). There are some interesting snow formations. I see and hear Chickadees. And find small critters tracks a cache of Douglas Fir cones that seemed to have uncached (or perhaps this is the garbage pile). and a couple of moose tracks not from from the actual trailhead. And there's some great ice formations near the parking lot. I do walk up the trail for about 100 yards. Easy walking as it to is snowpacked. Thought about going farther but I want my micro-spikes to do that. Nice walk!

 Sunny day in the 30s. Heading up to East Canyon for a quick hike. Before I even start, I head a guy mention that there's been a Pygmy Owl hanging out down the road. So exciting - I've never seen one. I'll check to see if he's still there after my hike. Oh, there's a Swan in the water below and a bunch of ducks. The downhill portion is melting and getting really muddy - we need more snow. But it is pretty! Trail is packed and melting. I see some new Turkey tracks that were not there last week. Just a nice crisp walk. Soon I'm up on the road and speeding back to see that Owl  - at try. But I have to stop to look at a "sun" rainbow -- weird. I'm back in the parking lot and now heading down the road towards the water, scanning the trees along the way. I meet another couple and they have not found the bird. I continue down really to look like I'm trying but get nothing but a great view. and then turn around. Perhaps another day. Good hike!