April 24 - Antelope Island Drive

 Cloudy day with highs near 70.

It's in the 40s when I head out this morning and yes, it's already cloudy. Heading up to Antelope Island just to see what's moving around this morning. Would love a hike but it's biting bug season; they be minimal because of the clouds and the low temps but I would hate to be 3 miles in and they come out in swarms.

Just as I'm about to arrive at the entrance gate, I see at least 50 or more Ibis in the farm field that feet shy of the gate. Amazing!

Almost immediately after crossing the gate, I spot a lone Sandhill Crane. 

As I'm watching he flies a bit to the west. When he lands, there are 2 more Sandhills with him.

Hard to find shorebirds this year because of low water levels but I do find Sand Pipers

Avocets

and Grebes.

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch passing several bison that are trying to hide in rocks at the turn.

It's a quiet drive until I'm moving south across the Beacon Hill/White Rock ridge where I find a good size herd of deer not far from the road. I stop to watch. It's a mix of males and females. The males' antlers are growing but they have a ways to go.


At one point, 2 of the deer are up on their back legs face-to-face. So cool! (But I didn't have my camera :() But way cool!

As I'm watching the deer move to pass behind me and cross the road. It takes a while for them to get courage but they do cross the road and then disappear.

As I pass the green section near Frary Peak, I find 3-4 bison munching on the fresh grass. I can hear them "mowing" the lawn!!

As I'm passing Frary Peak, I find a lone bison - it's either a female or young male - and it's pretty bouncy. Kinda strange that he/she is all alone - hmmm!

I continue on for a couple of miles - hey, there's a new pit toilet at one of the pull-outs!

Then up ahead, I see a large herd of bison crossing the road with little reds!! I drive fast to catch part of the crossing. Unfortunately, most of the herd has crossed when I arrive but I do catch several crossing.

I think there's all heading for the lake bed where there are already about 5-10 bison. 

There's another family herd on the west side of the road, they don't look like they are moving anytime soon.

Continue on to the Ranch where the Sentry Trail is clear of bison but I do see some farther south of the trail.

I park at the Ranch and go on a hunt for the Owls. No luck this morning.

Time to head north.

Those bison, well, they're all pretty much on the lake bed now - even the ones on the west side of the road are down there now. 


Hey, there are Pronghorn out there with the bison!!


Moving on; that lone bison is now laying on the lake bed and it look like there is a baby lying next to her.


Moving on, those bison are still mowing the lawn.

I reach the north end of the island and loop around the west side of the island finding a small herd of bison as I pass to the west side,

2 Pronghorn near the new Bridger Bay campground and a lone bison on the north side of the Visitor's Center.

Great day!

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