Dec 16 - Antelope Island Cruise

 Cool but sunny day (high in mid-20s) but a welcome reprieve of a week where is snowed 4 days (maybe) and dumped over a foot a snow on me and over 5ft in the mountains. Haven't seen that big of a dump in several years now. Hopefully that's a good omen for the rest of winter.

Heading up to Antelope Island to have a look around. Would like to hike (I brought all of my stuff) but still battling a very sore heal and it would be best to little it rest ...so we'll see. (oh, and the walking in snow will aggravate the heal even more).

I arrive on the causeway and it's sunny to the east but still clouds moving thru from the west. Half the island is sunny and the other, not so much. (and its 21 degrees)

Crossing the causeway there were no hawk or kestrels; very surprised especially with all the snow and cold temperatures.

But there is a small group of Canadian Geese laying on the Great Salt Lake side.

As I near the island, the are 2 black dots in the distance. They look a little like Bald Eagles but could be Ravens. (Photos say they are Bald Eagles!)

And there are a few ducks near the bridge; everything else is frozen.

I reach the Island and head south. And it's a first for me in almost 13 years; absolutely 0 bison sighting on the way to the Ranch (and even past the Ranch for that matter) Incredible!

And no other critter either. :(

I turn around and head back north to the Gravel Pit trailhead. I'm surprised they still have the gate open with the 5-6 inches of snow on the ground but I pull in but decide I'll pass on the hike; perhaps Sunday.

I head over to the west side of the Island and hey, there are a few bison over here. There are a few about 1/2 up Bison Point, and a few in the White Rock Campground

and a few more over near the start of the Lakeside Trail. Well at least I didn't totally strike-out.

I make a stop up at the Bison Point parking.

Again decided to save the heal and head out.

Hey, I find 3 more bison on the north side of the Visitor's Center.

As I approach the causeway, there are 4 large birds on the ice not that far out. Definitely, Bald Eagles

and definitely eating a duck.

I continuing on, I see a Northern Shrike sitting on a sign at the NE edge of the bridge and I see another Bald Eagle (juvenile) flying south across the causeway!

Good day!

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