Aug 20 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Happy morning as it's cool enough to head out to Antelope Island this morning. Supposed to be in the low 60s on arrival with a high in the mid-70s. But there is a chance of rain which I'm hoping to beat.

I arrive just after 7am. Very cool and in the low 60s.

The cows are way out on the Salt Lake this morning -- good grazing.

And I'm surprised by the amount on water on the Farmington Bay side. Must be those monsoonal rains. Tons of shore birds but it's too dark and they are too far away to make it worth the stop - perhaps on the return.

I'm walking the Gravel Pit trail up to Beacon Hill today. I'm not feeling a hill climb today so this is the hike.

When I arrive on the island, there are no animals to be seen around the Visitor's Center.

I park at the Gravel Pit and start my walk.

Wow! It's so still and quiet this morning.

Grasses are brown (as expected) and only a few yellow flowers here and there (really very sparse). No sunflowers up yet.

No animals to be seen along the way but plenty of antelope scat along the trail.

Soon I'm at the Beacon Hill trail and up I go.

Still no critters.

But the view at the end is pretty nice. 

Lots of clouds; hope it raining on my house.

I take a quick break and start my way back.

Definitely brighter now but the sun is still blocked behind the clouds. Makes for a nice cool return trip.

I do see a few dragonflies and my return.

Back at my car, I decide to drive down to the Ranch to see what's out.

I find the bison herd (I think all of them) line up along the Farmington Bay shoreline from Frary Peak to the pit toilets (that's a few miles at least). Adults, babies all feeding and enjoying the morning.

There a few near the Ranch (4).

I just turn around and call it a day.

On my return trip along the causeway, I stop for what looks like a coyote laying down on the Farmington Bay shoreline. Yep, coyote! My camera is in the trunk and I go retrieve it. I should've to my photos there but I return to my car and of course, now the coyote is up and moving. Oh well, I do get some parting shots.


Good day!

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