March 3 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

 Well the snow didn't come overnight; it's supposed to come around 10am - flurries 30-40% chance that almost means we will not get snow. Also, the winds are calm. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike Sentry Peak; hoping to get past the switchback today.

I arrive and although it is cloudy, the sun is there fighting hard to shine through. The winds are calm and it's 33 degrees.

There's a Kestrel perched not far from the gate.

Tons of ducks on the causeway this morning and yes, one Bald Eagle among them.

The bison are still on the north side of the Island even some on the tip this morning.

Part of that big herd moved over to the east side, I see them when I look back as I pass the Gravel Pit trail.

Lots of snow has melted on the lower elevation since last Friday; hoping, the Sentry Trail will be pretty clear.

In the Frary Peak area, I barely miss a male Pheasant as he crosses the road. Whew! I turn my car around in hopes of snagging a photo as he moves thru the grasses. Hey wait, there's another Pheasant and they are heading right at each other. Then something cool happens. They bow to the ground and one jumps in the air. This is repeated several times. They must be fighting. How cool is that?!

Continuing on, the Pronghorn are still on the flats before the Ranch as they were last Friday. The number are down (or they are all just hiding).

I arrive at the Ranch, gear up and start up the road. The road is clear except for a few spots that were drifted over last week.

Surprise, I spot 2 deer. One looks like it might be a male; it has bumps on it's head where antlers should be. Awesome!

The drift as the trail head is still there but more packed and less deep.

I start up the trail. Definitely much easier traveling than last week.

The upward parts are still snow covered so I'm sticking to the edges. 

And the wind is picking up again! This time from the West. Pretty chilly by the time I reach the switchback.

I'm definitely going to the top; it's too cold. But I'll cross the switchback and then it starts snowing. Time to rethink things as those flurries are starting to come thru. I'm heading down.

And a good choice it is as I get pelted on my left face/ear with snow pellets.

The snow starts to let up by the time I reach my car but not the wind.

Time to head north.

On the way across the causeway I stop for a look at those ducks. Hey they have blue bills! I need to figure out what they are. Cool! (Northern Pintail - I don't even remember seeing these ducks before.)

And I see a Harrier (grey) flying along the causeway.

Awesome day!