June 25 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-80s forecast. But we had rain yesterday (yea!!) and it's still cloudy and cool, I'm not sure when the clouds will burn off in the mountains, so I'm heading to Antelope Island. Yes, I'm going there and I'm hoping the biting gnats are gone; they should be by now since we've been above 90 degrees for weeks now. Fingers crossed.

As I head up, I run into a bit of rain showers as I close in on Antelope Drive.

I arrive at the gate just after 7am and start across. It's so very dry - very sad. But the areas with water are full of shore birds which is awesome!!

I reach the island and head towards the Ranch.

Surprised not to see any lone male bison this morning near the Visitor's Center. I'm sure the extreme drought and super hot temperature has a role in that.

I check on the Burrowing Owls after the 1st pull-off; yes, I see 2 of them!

The next critter is a pheasant in the usual spot across from Frary Peak.

A little farther down the road,  I find three doe in the still green grasses.

Getting a little nervous that I'm not seeing a big bison herd and afraid they will be staying near the Ranch or worse the Sentry Trail. So when I roll up to the Ranch, I'm very happy to see that the Bison are location near the shoreline around the Sentry Trail parking and farther south. Excellent!

I start down the dirt road to the parking when I see a large dark bird on a fence post. 

I'm thinking it's some kind of eagle. But as I stop to look, it opens it's wings to warm in the sunlight - not an eagle; it''s Turkey Vulture!!

First time I've seen one here! Hope it's not an omen that the drought will take a lot of the animal lives on the island due to lack of water and food.

I move on to park and start up the trail.

Hey, the Rocky Mt Bee Balm is blooming on the way to Mushroom Springs.

Lots of dragonflies flying

and Robber Fly.

As I start up the first hill, I see a lone bison in some green grassy area.

He doesn't seem to care as I pass.

The sun finally shows itself as I start up that hill. Hoping I'd be in the shade for at least 1/2 the uphill but not today.

Then it's up to the switchback. Now I start seeing a few lizards.

On the 2nd uphill, I see a lone Pronghorn working his way uphill along a ridge in the distance. He quickly disappears.

Finally, I reach the ridge. Ahhh! There's a breeze up here!

No critters on the western slopes.

I make it across and start down hill.

As I make my way down to the switchback, I see a lone bison quickly making his way downhill towards Mushroom Springs. 

Just hoping he won't block my way. (He actually kept moving. Seems he wanted to hook up with the big herd which is now on the lake bed farther south of the Ranch.)

On way across the switchback, I see one bison (which may be my bison from earlier) on the slopes.

And then I see another lower down moving south -- this one has got to be my bison from earlier because it's across from that green spot.

Soon I'm back at my car and heading north only stopping to see a lone deer on my approach to the Ranch. 

I take a quick tour of the west side of the island. No bison to be seen around White Rock but there is bison on the turn north heading to the beach.

I also find one Burrowing Owl behind the Ranch.

On the way out on the causeway, I stop to watch the shorebirds flying around in swarms. Pretty cool!

Great day!