March 25 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with temp in the low 70s - Wow!

I was going to hike the Cardiff Fork trail but decided to head up to Antelope Island so I can get a 2-fer this week-end.

My plan was to hike Sentry Peak - wanted the uphill - we'll see how that works out.

More cars than I expected when I reach the island around 8:30 but it's Buffalo Run week-end!

I head directly to the Ranch passing a number of bison south of the Visitor's Center and then just past the gate among the rocks.

There are 2 bison walking down hill (and not far from the road) on the north end of White Rock/Beacon Hill. 

East of Frary Peak, it sure looks like they were mowing the grasses - very few brown stalks from last year. (And not far from the Ranch, I see a tractor with a mower - I wonder why? Fuel reduction for another drought year?)

Not far from the Ranch, there's a herd of bison at the bottom on the mountain - can tell if there are little Reds in the herd.

Another herd near the Ranch - again in the distance.

And unfortunately, there are several bison in the Ranch's garden. I have to walk past them to get to the trail. Boo! Guess I'm doing the Gravel Pit today.

I turn around and head north to the trail.

As I pass one area that the bison like to hang-out, I notice something out-of-place on fence line. Hey, there are bison out there! No babies that I can see.

Oh, I did not see an Burrowing Owls on the hill south of the 1st pull-off.

I reach the parking lot, gear up and start up the trail. 

As I near the Burrowing Owl tunnels (I've never seen one here -- too busy I would think) there's a lone biker coming towards me. We pass and I see bird fly. It's a bigger bird -- whoa! I think it's Burrowing Owl! I need to keep my eyes open on the way back.

Quiet walk. Those 4-5 bison I keep going around on the White Rock trail are no longer in sight.

I do see a Checkered White

and lots of Spring Parsley

and Bisquitroot in bloom -- if only there's an Anise Swallowtail around!

But I do see a Checkered White!

I reach the Beacon Hill trail and start up. Part way up, I think I've found my 2 Pronghorn friends. They moved up here. Still very friendly as the trail passes them with 50 feet and they don't budge. So cool!

I reach the endpoint with it's awesome view

and I sit down. As I do this, I see a black butterfly with red flying up the hill to within 40 feet me. Unfortunately, he decides to go back downhill. I wish I knew what species he was. I thought maybe Checkerspot but its March. Maybe a migrating Red Admiral (dark with Red). Hmm...never will know. :(

On the way back down Beacon Hill, I pass those friendly Pronghorn again.


Uneventful walk back. I'm excited for the Owl tunnels but there are a couple of people near there with 4 dogs off leash (a no-no) and running everywhere. If the Owl was there, he's tunneled under or flew. Boo!
Awesome day!

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