Nov 14 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Hazy sunshine day with highs in the 50s.

I really should be heading into the mountains but I think a bit burned out there -- I just can't motivate myself to go up there. No worries,, I'll just head to Antelope Island.

It's 45 degrees as I cross the causeway. The duck/shorebird population sure dropped from last week but there re still a good number of them remaining.

When I reach the island, I turn south towards the Ranch.

I see several bison around the Visitor's Center as normal.

It isn't until I reach Beacon Hill/White Rock Ridge that I more critters -- Pronghorn, at least 20 of them. Then are moving north about mid-way up the mountain.

Then it's past Frary Peak and continuing until I'm about 1.5 miles from the Ranch before I find the bison herd. A little spread out in smaller herds but there's a larger herd just crossing the road. There are Fall calves in the mix.

Because of their location, I expecting to find more bison around the Sentry trail. Man and I good! There's bison near the Sentry Trail! :( Well maybe I'll find that herd of Pronghorn along the Gravel Pit trail.

Time to head north passing by the bison herds.

As I pass by Frary Peak, I notice a Pheasant roosting on a tree as I zip pass. I turn around and take a peek.

I continue on passing the area where I saw the Pronghorn earlier; I find no Pronghorn.

I continue on to the Gravel Pit, gear up and start up the trail.

Much of the Rabbitbrush is in fluffy seed but the are still blooms here and there.

I also find a few sunflowers, yellow composites and pink little flowers in bloom.

There's also a lot of green vegetation thanks to all the rain we received in October. Good eats for the critters going into winter.

It's a quiet trip. I keep my eye out of Pronghorn (or any critters) but not find anything.

Soon I reach the trail up to Beacon Hill. Soon after starting up, I see a flyer -- it's a Common Checkered Skipper!!

As I continue up, I see 3 sets of humps that look like bison. Yes, I'm sure they're bison so I'm keeping an eye on them.

As I near the Beacon Hill station, one of the bison stands and stares at me. 

I'm not all that far away but I'm deciding whether to continue on to the overlook.

I decide to go off trail to the edge -- I want to see if I find Pronghorn. Unfortunately, no Pronghorn 

but I still have a bison starting me down. I take a looping approach to getting back to the trail; I don't want the bison to think I heading straight for him.

I reach the trail and continue west past the bison. He's still following me (standing) and I keep looking over my shoulders. As I'm about to drop out of sight, I turn to see him (now facing west) still tracking me. Bye-bye bison!

Time to head back. 

On the way back, I see 4 more Common Checkered Skippers.

I reach my car and start my way across the causeway. Hey! There's a coyote!!! Looks like he's been playing in some water.

Great ending to  good day!

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