April 10 - Antelope Island

 Sunny day with the highs in the low 40s. Heading up to Antelope Island again today - trying to get up there as much as possible before the bugs start flying.

As I head out, I notice the huge American Flag near my house flapping like crazy -- probably not the best day to go to Antelope Island but I'm going anyway.

I arrive on the Island and it's sunny and 37 degrees with blowing winds -- the signs of the next storm coming Monday night (snow in forecast - winter storm in the mountains - 1-2 feet).

I've convinced myself I will not be hiking - that wind is too storm and too cold for me.

When I reach the island, I head south towards the Ranch. 

Still no Burrowing Owls after the 1st view point.

And all those small herds of bison I saw on Friday are gone - perhaps the temperature change - it was in the mid-70s on Friday.

The first critters I see are after the pit towel not far from the Ranch. I always check behind me on the hillside and I find Pronghorn!!

When I arrive at the Ranch, go figure, the bison have left the Sentry Peak trail finally. But it's too cold and there's the annual Horse "party". The number of horses riding that trail probably is the cause for the bison movement. Oh well! Maybe next week-end.

I do stop at the Ranch to search for Great Horned Owls. They should have their babies by now; but the babies are not going to visible.

I head into the woods and there are 2 people already there looking at an Owl. My guess, the male. 

I continue around the loop hoping to find the next as they tend to move every year. No luck.

Time to head north.

I do find bison now!

There's a lone bison not far from the Ranch on the east side of the road. There could be more as it's on the downhill side and hard to see.

Well, those Pronghorn have moved and I can't find them. 

And then there's a male pheasant!

There's a rather large group of bison on a mesa 1/4 way up the mountain. Can't see any babies but that doesn't mean they're not there.

Smaller group a little ways down about a 1/4 way up too!

And finally, there's 2 bison above the Frary Peak Pit toilet near the rocks.

As I approach the Visitor's Center, I see a herd of Pronghorn moving south - probably the same herd as Friday.

This has proven to be a good animal day after all.

I head over to the west side of the island where I find 2 additional bison.

Good day!

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