Nov 24 - Sentry Peak (Antelope Island)

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunny day with temps around 40 degrees. Heading up to Antelope Island to hopefully hike Sentry Peak.

It's 29 degrees and sunny when I reach the island. 

Along the causeway I see my 1st Kestrel of the year perched on a sign. And several cars of duck hunters.

I head south towards the Ranch. There are 2 bison at the intersection where you either go straight for the west side of the Island or head south for the Ranch.

Those are the last critters I see until around Frary Peak where I see a herd of bison - a large herd.

I also pass another Kestrel.

A little farther, there's a herd of bison closer to the mountains and then a bigger herd in the flats (where they hung out after the fire).

I keep my fingers crossed as I approach the Ranch and yes, no bison. I can hike to Sentry Peak!

I gear up and start my way down the road (it's been closed since the first snowfall) to the trailhead. When I'm practically at the trailhead, I see 2 Pronghorn just east of the road. Yea!

They see me and start moving south. 

I look up and wow! there's a big herd of Pronghorn on the other side of the road and now they are all moving because I interrupted their breakfast. There's got to be at least 30 of them!

I watch for a bit and then decide to start making my way towards Mushroom Springs. After a little bit, here comes 4 Pronghorn running across the trail in front of me! They are running towards the herd.

A bit later, here comes another 4 Pronghorn! What a huge herd! They stop several times with one running a circle around the remaining ones. Eventually, they move off towards the bigger herd.

So cool!

I continue my way up the trail. No flowers or insects today - well, except a couple dead black beetles.

The birds where also quiet; just the Ravens. 

I continue up to the ridge (passing a few small spots where there is still some snow). Wonderful view despite the inversion.

At the top, it's still so quiet - really just the noise of the wind. However, I do hear a faint yipping (coyote) some where in the distance.

As I start moving along the ridge, I see a small herd of bison in the distance below me.

When I get to the other side of the ridge, I see another small herd of bison below.

Time to start heading down.

I get to the bottom and the Pronghorn are long gone.

Back at the Ranch, I think about checking for Owls but decide it's time to go home.

On the ride north, some of the bison herds have moved around.

I find that Kestrel again near Frary Peak.

And surprise, I find a small herd of Pronghorn on the mountainside just north of Beacon Hill - a much smaller herd but still about 10'sh.

There's now a lone bison in the meadow by the 1st watering hole. 

And 2 bison near the Gravel Pit road.

Nearing the Visitor's Center, the 2 bison are gone but there is a lone bison walking up from the lake bed and soon to be crossing the road. I could stay and watch but time to move it long.

Awesome day!

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