The 2021 Utah Adventure

 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...

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! 

 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...

 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...

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...

 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!

 Sunny day with highs near 50 degrees in the forecast. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike Sentry Peak if I'm lucky with the bison herds. I arrive on the causeway. Not far from the gate, I see my 1st Kestrel of the Fall/Winter season (yea)!  I also see another hawk flying along the causeway. I arrive on the Island and head towards the Ranch. And surprise, I can see no bison around the north side of the island -- but it could be the glare of the sun and the inversion "fog". I see a few just beyond the tall fence line. Then it is quiet until a bison herd around the Homestead. From that point, there are a few other herds spaced out to the Ranch.  I also see a herd south of the Sentry Peak trail. Should I hike it or not? I'll think about it as I look for Great Horned Owls. I'm on the far side of the woods when a man tells me that there is an Owl in the middle of the barn. Good! I complete my loop and find the Owl in the barn! As I head back to my car, it seems that ...

 Sunny day with a high near 50. But it's a frosty morning. Heading up to Antelope Island for a non-icy/non-snowy hike in the sun. I arrive around 9am and head straight for the White Rock Trail head. Yep, no animal search today. I figured it too late to watch the animals start their day. I do see a bison in the field behind the Visitor's Center and another along the road in front of Bison Point. I can hear him crunching grass. I continue on to the White Rock parking. There's only one car in the lot. I'm not sure if this is a leftover car from the week-end OR they're motivated because they are parked far from the trail head. I gear up and start up the trail in the clockwise direction. I can see some bison dots far in the distance. I'll be closing in on them when the trail turns east. Lots of frost on the ground on this quiet morning. I'm up the switchback and now heading east. Those bison are getting closer. I see 5 bison; 1 standing and 4 laying down. There...