Jan 17 - Gravel Pit

 Mostly sunny day with highs in the mid-40s.

Beautiful morning with temps already around 31 degrees when I leave my house just before 8am.

Arriving on the causeway, it's still clear but temps are a bit lower and there's a fog bank closer to the island.

As I cross, I see no Kestrels, hawks or Bald Eagles although where the eagles tend to hang out is pretty foggy so they may still be out there.

Once on the island, I head south toward the Ranch still hoping the bison have moved on and I can once again hike the Sentry Trail.

I do spot a lone bison in the fog down on the lake bed.

And then surprise, 3 very large buck rounding the corners not too far away. I roll up in time to see the larger 2 drop their heads and then start walking downhill towards the lake bed. I do get a good look at the smallest one which is still a really nice buck.

I continue on and it isn't until just before the Ranch before I spot bison again. Smaller herds closer to the mountains.

And then of course, there's a very large herd near the Sentry Trail. :(

I turn around and head back north to the Gravel Pit Trail. As I approach, I see 3 bison just north of the trail on a hill. I think I'm good to hike the trail as long as they don't move.

Yea, the gate to the Gravel Pit parking is once again open. Park posted last week-end since the White Rock trail parking has been packed, to be use the Gravel Pit as an alternate. Darn, I like it that there is hardly more than a few cars in here. Oh well, once they actually start mass vaccinating for Covid will this all stop. Soon, please soon.

I'm the only one here. All 3 bison are visible from the parking but are up from the trail. So I'm a good to go.

I gear up and start up the trail.

Pretty quiet once I crest the ridge. The White Rock parking already has quite a few cars but the trail is free of bison.

Mine, on the other hand, has 2 bison ahead perhaps 40-50 yards from the trail. They are up, feeding and slowly moving towards the trail. I'll keep going and see what happens.

As I near, they continue to feed and even giving me a look. That's awesome! And I pass without issue. 

I hope for the same on the return.

Soon I'm at the Bison Point trail and I start heading up. I turn to look towards the White Rock basin and surprise, I see Pronghorn standing right at the edge before the downhill in the bison. Awesome!

I continue to watch and I hear a bike coming down from the point. He tells me that he's glad I see the Pronghorn below and that a few had past him above. I turn and look the other way and there's 2 Pronghorn to the north.

When I turn back, I see more Pronghorn coming over the edge. I also hear calls between the 2 groups of Pronghorn as if to say "Come on over!".

Soon the Pronghorn below start to run east - I know they are coming to meet up with the ones already up here. There they are - trotting towards the other 2!

And they keep coming! There must be 30-40 of them! Love when these this happen on the trail!!

They all pass and drop down on the north side of Bison Point. I'm hoping to see them on my return but I don't think that will happen because of other trail traffic. But we'll see.

I continue up the trail to the edge (and destination). Nice foggy view out there.

I take a quick stop spotting 2 trail runners coming my direction; they will take care of the Pronghorn. :(

Time to go. And yes, the Pronghorn are gone. I'm guessing they've dropped down the east ridge.

I'm looking for the 2 bison I passed earlier but don't spot them until I'm parallel with them. They are both laying down now.

Now it's the 3 not far from the parking. And no worries, they're still were I left them. Yea!

Good hike!

Time to head home.

I behind the Visitor's Center when I see a coyote down near the lake shore!

Hey! There are 2 of them! Perhaps the pair I saw last week on the ice?!

What an awesome end to my day!

I watch for a while before continuing on... spotting a lone Kestrel as I approach the exit.

Good day!