Jan 21 - Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill Not Quite (Antelope Island)

 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 to the Ranch. That 1 bison is really 3.

No critter sightings until I reach the south end of the Beacon Hill area where I see 5 Pronghorn about 1/2 way up.

That big bison herd from Sunday has moved on. I'm wondering if they moved back west and will be in my way on the trail today.

The dull the rest of the way to the Ranch. I think about an Owl stop but decide to continue north to the trail head.

Not even a mile from the Ranch, I see a large herd of Pronghorn -- yea!

Then as I approach Frary Peak, I see a small herd of bison about a 1/4 way up the slopes.

And there's a Porcupine too!

The Pronghorn are still there but a bit farther up the slopes.

I reach the Gravel Pit parking; just one other car in the lot. I gear up, sweater, jacket, winter hat, heavy gloves and start up the snowy trail.

I find some critter tracks in the Pit.

Out of the Pit, I spot a large herd of bison above the White Rock trail. Very happy I decided to not hike that. Looks like clear sailing for me!

Well, darn, not clear sailing as there are 3 bison just east of my trail -- 30 feet off. Shoot!

Oh well, I tried and saw 4 Bald Eagles, bison, and 2 herd of Pronghorn and a Porcupine!

Great day!

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