Utah Adventure 2023

 Partly sunny day with highs in the low 30s. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning to hike up to Beacon Hill. Yea, I know I should probably do White Rock or Sentry Peak but its 20 degrees. Hopefully next week. I arrive on the causeway to a frozen landscape. Still edge to edge water but this time of the frozen time. I see one Kestrel or hawks as I cross but I have my eye out for Bald Eagles because of the cold and not frozen water. And not to disappear, I do see one on the Farmington Bay side before crossing the bridge. As I near the Island, just before the Marina, I see what looks like 3 Eagles in the distance. As I pull up, there's a scuffle and they take to the air.  One flies off but the other 2 look to be in a short aerial battle before I lose sight of them.  Nice! Definitely more snow on the island than I expected - wow! As I continue to the island, I see bison behind the Visitor's Center. And some photographers that seem a bit close. I reach the island and head south

 I have the day off and although a cloudy day that is in-between storms, I head up to Antelope Island hoping to sneak a hike in this morning. It's in the low-30s and we got rain/snow last night. About an 1-2 inches of wet stuff at my house but I'm driving north anyway as the forecast says 20% showers unto around noon when the chances increase. I arrive after 8:30 am. Lots of low clouds and a grey day but I can see that big ball that is called the sun try to fight its way thru the weather. Probably not going to make but nice to see anyway. I see a Kestrel as I cross the causeway. But what is even more surprising (a very exciting and happy surprise) is I see lots on water on both sides of the causeway = pretty much from start to end. I haven't seen that in years. Granted it's probably only an 1 or 2 but that just means the water table has been reached and now it's in the filling mode (hopefully). All thanks that Pineapple Express that have been pumping moisture into t

 Partly sunny day forecasted. Heading up to Antelope Island to get some sunshine (hopefully). I arrive on the causeway and quickly spot a lone Kestrel not far from the entrance. Nice to see lots of water on both sides of the causeway (finally). All that snow and rain appears to be paying off even if its only an inch or two. And hey, there's more rain/snow on the way starting Sunday for multiple days -- keeping it filling!! I reach the island and head towards the Ranch. I thought about not even venturing down there today because the drive has been so empty but with critters, you just never know. Again there's no bison to be seen along the whole drive to the Ranch.  I do spot 3 Pronghorn heading south. And a big hawk at the pull-off across from Frary Peak; unfortunately he flies before I can get a photo. I reach the Ranch and there are no bison in sight. Another good day to hike Sentry Peak but the road is muddy and I have a mild headache; I'm heading to hike to Beacon Hill a

 Yea!! It's the first hike of 2023 (finally)! But it's all good because we really really the snow/rain and we've got plenty of it so far - 328 inches up the Cottonwoods (the average is 500 inches). Hopefully it keeps up though I wish for more sunny week-ends :) Sunny and mid-30s today. Heading up Antelope Island to hike up to Beacon Hill. Not sure how much snow is out there. I know a lot of it has melted here in valley so I'm thinking it'll be pretty clear (except the mountains) but planning for the worse. I arrive just after 8am. Not quite sunny yet --- some low clouds to burn off -- but it is frozen out there. I see one perched Kestrel as I make my way across the causeway; no bald eagles or other hawks. I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. Not really expecting much since the last couple times the bison have not been on the east side. But perhaps all the snow is pushing them around. The landscape is pretty much free of snow except the mountains and