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Dec 31 - Sugarhouse Park Walk

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 Wow! It's the last day of 2021. Can say things improved from 2020 but still bogged down with Covid still. I'm hopeful that Omnicron will lead to the end of this thing - though I think politics/media will continue to fuel the fires. Regardless the year was definitely better and filled with adventures and experience with animals including: 1) Record number of moose sightings (31 I think). A good number of the sightings were due to 4 bull moose hanging out at Silver Lake for 3 weeks -- that's 12 of the sightings but obviously there were plenty of others. 2) Watching 2 sets of Bull moose spar. Never seen this before -- amazing!! 3) Hearing a Bull moose calling and then after around 20 minutes finding that moose exit the aspen groves at Willow Lake. Fantastic! 4) Great trip to Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens! 5) Record # of fawn sightings around Silver Lake/Lake Solitude/Twin Lakes. Prior to this year, I could probably count on 1 hand the times I've seen a fawn. I can go on and...
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Dec 25 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

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 Merry Christmas! And time to celebrate with a hike on Antelope Island - partly sunny day with temps in the mid-40s. Still in the 30s when I arrive and it's windy (bringing in the next storm tonight). Still very gray as I start crossing the causeway. I scare up a Rough Legged Hawk from the ground as I drove by and a bit farther is a Kestrel on a side post. That's seriously the end of the critters until the Ranch.  Thought I might have my 1st no bison day ever but when I get out of my car and look towards Sentry Peak, I spot a small (maybe 10) bison. They are far enough from the trail to not be an issue. Oh, when leave my car, I hear a few coyote singing "carols"! I gear up and start up the road to the trail head. Then it's on towards Mushroom Springs. I pass the bison on the south side, they seem to be paying attention to me as they do spook and start moving northeast. Then it's pass Mushroom Springs and up the hill. Along the way, I see to my left as large he...
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Dec 19 -- US Olympic Short Track Trail (Finale)

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Heading out to the Olympic Oval this afternoon to watch the final day of the US Olympic Short Track Trials. I'm excited! I've gone in 2013 and 2017 so this makes the 3rd time for me! For the women's side, Santos already clinched her spot by dominating races on Friday and Saturday. Four more places to fill today. The men only have 2 spots and Pivirotti seems to be well his way to clinching a spot. But short track is so unpredictable with the crashes, so one never knows. Races were good. Plenty of crashes mostly on the men's side. Fun day! And at the end, we have the US Olympic Team! Go Team USA! 
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Dec 18 - Antelope Island Cruise

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 Cold morning with temps in the upper teens but sunny skies are coming - a perfect day for a winter hike. (However, there will be no hiking today as I injured my knee while shoveling our 12 inches of unexpected snow on Wednesday. Hoping it's nothing more serious than a sprain so trying to be kind to it.) I arrive on the causeway around 8:30 am. It's sunny with temps around 20 and very little wind. There's snow along both side of the causeway and lots of frozen water (w/ a few open spots). There no Kestrel waiting this morning but there is a Rough Legged Hawk on the wheel structure (like last week and many times before). As I near the island, I see a black spot in the distance on Farmington Bay. I stop, it's a Bald Eagle! (This week I'm not surprised to see them with the snow storm and the cold temperatures.) Still lots of ducks (Shovelers, I think) near the island on the Salt Lake side. I arrive on the island and head south. I'm surprised that there are no bison...
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Dec 12 - Antelope Island Cruise

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 Cloudy day forecast and it's 32 degrees out. Not my normal hiking day but I'm heading out to Antelope Island to check on critter movements after this weeks snow - and perhaps, squeak a hike in. I arrive on the causeway around 8:30. It's cloudy, 32 degrees. The snow that remains is almost a just a dusting across the landscape. The peaks on the island definitely has snow. As I cross I find a Kestrel and a coyote far in the distance. Duck hunters (a bunch of them) are once again near the island. I reach the island and turn south towards the Ranch. There are 2 bison along the road behind the Ranch. After them, it's quiet until just after the road to Frary Peak. (Note because of this week snow, the gates are down on the roads to the Gravel Pit, Frary Peak and Sentry Peak trail heads.) After Frary Peak, I see a lone bison moving north. Not to much farther south, there's a small herd (20'sh) of bison. A bit farther down the road is another small herd of bison. And sti...
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Dec 5 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

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Sunny day with temps near 50 degrees. Heading out to Antelope Island with the goal of hiking Sentry Trail. I arrive around 8:30am and as I cross the causeway I see a Kestrel what I think is a Northern Harrier (he's here every year) and surprise(!!) a Bald Eagle. It's December so its not unlikely but cold, snowy weather brings them down here and we have had none of the above. Maybe it's colder, snowier in Idaho but very much a surprise to see!! Lots of duck hunters out this morning. water levels are too low for boats so they are just standing in the water with their decoys. Still can' t believe they can hunt so close to people but it is what it is. I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. Behind the Visitor's Center, I find one bison. Quiet drive until I reach Frary Peak. There I find a small herd of bison heading south along the mountains. A bit farther down, I spot a coyote moving north along the lake bed. A tiny bit farther, there's a herd of Prong...
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Dec 3 - Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

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 Got out of work at 12:30, time to sneak in a hike. Decided to go somewhere close and hike the Salt Lake Overlook trail in Millcreek Canyon. Although it's 50+ degrees outside, the canyon parking is only 37 degrees and in the shade. (Maybe not the best choice for a hike today). There's still frost on the ground in spots but I start up the trail anyways. There's nothing blooming but there are some green plants around in spots. See a different looking bird which causes me to stop for a look. I have no idea what it is but not the normal sparrow type bird. There's a few folks out with their dogs but not many. Before along, I'm at the top with a great view of the inversion layer -- I live in that smog pile. Ick!! On the way down, I stop to watch a Woodpecker (Downy or Hairy, I can't tell) for a bit. Good hike!
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