June 19 - Antelope Island Cruise

 Mostly cloudy day with a high in the mid-80s and then becoming very windy.

I'm ok with clouds and wind because today I'm heading up to Antelope Island. I am curious at what the Great Salt Lake and Farmington Bay water levels look like since most of the snow has melted. (Last I heard the Great Salt Lake was up over 5 feet and that was end of April).

I arrive just after 7:30 am.

There's so much green on the Salt Lake side, the cows are way out on the Great Salt Lake grazing.

Both sides are devoid of visible water as I start cross. Visible water on the Salt Lake start far sooner than Farmington Bay. But there are pockets of water/green grasses on the Farmington Bay side. And those areas have shorebirds.

As I cross, I see gulls, Franklin Gulls, 

tons of Avocets, Sandpipers, Ibis, a Mallard and probably many others. Oh, and a Yellow Headed Blackbird - probably the 1st time I've seen one on the Island and 2nd time ever in Utah!!

I finally reach "real" water on the Farmington Bay -- it's looks so nice!!

Soon I spot a flock on white birds on the Salt Lake side -- awesome! American White Pelicans - it's the 1st time I've seen them in the water. (I've only seen them a couple times in flight.)

Then I see another flock on the Farmington Bay side - oh! and there's coyote too!

He doesn't look too healthy as his back is all hunched over.

Farther down, there is 2 other smaller "flocks" of Pelicans closer to the causeway so I watch for a bit.

Continuing onto the Island, there are a couple of bison behind the VC. 

Oh, I have to say, last time I was here, the Island was green. Now it is mostly brown and dry - typical.

I drive around the north side of the Island for a change and spot a small herd of Pronghorn just south of the VC road. They are grazing and some look like they are still losing their winter coat.

I do not see any Burrowing Owl this morning.

I decide to head up Bison Point but first stop for a lone bison crossing the road.

There's no one in the parking lot when I arrive. 

I check for Burrowing Owls below and yep, there's one!

There's no bison in the White Rock area but there are a few "nesting" bison below (and one standing).

I continue over to the east side of the Island.

I check for Burrowing Owls on the downside of the viewpoint but don't see any.

I reach the Beacon Hill area and check for Burrowing Owls - nothing.

I slow for the area in front of Frary Peak -- it's so green perhaps something is moving.

Hey, there's a female Pheasant and she has chicks! That's a 1st for me!

At the pull-out, I see 2 doe!! 

Hey, I got coyote, bison, pronghorn and deer!! Wahoo!

Then there is nothing until I reach the Ranch where there is another lone bison in the garden area. He's slowly moving west.

I stop and check for Great Horned Owls. I was hoping to see babies but they've probably fledged already. I check the wooded area. It's very hard to see anything because of all the leaves. But I do see 2 Yellow Warblers and a Robin.

I get back in my car and start down the dirt road; I'm heading to the south end of the Island today. And unlike last time when I walked 10 miles to get there and back, I get to drive. They opened the road farther south last year. This is the first time I'll be on it.

I drive past Sentry Peak trailhead and still no family bison herd; they must be on the west side of the Island.

Just as I get to the newly open section, I see 3 bison walking towards the road.

And there are White butterflies flying - assuming that are Checkered Whites.

On the other side of the road is a lone Pronghorn.

The bison avoid me so I continue to promptly scare that Pronghorn to the west side of the road.

Then it's just a bumpy slow drive.

I see no other animals except yet another lone bison on the hills.

The area is amazingly green except the hillsides which are brown.

I hear lots of birds and I see these fantastic shrubs in bloom! They are everywhere!

Well, the road does not go all the way to the end of the Island - boo! 

It stop where the old causeway was. I could continue down but not on my healing foot (and not because those biting gnats are out). There's probably another mile to go.

I stop and look at the former causeway that was built so gravel/dirt can be taken from the Island to built I-80. Sure wish they would open it again as it would make my drive easier.

And there's a lone Pronghorn just south of the causeway - he looks to be in a Zen state.

Time to head back.

Those 3 bison have crossed the road and are moving north towards the Ranch.

I make a stop at the Frary Peak parking area and take a walk onto the rocks for a view.

Find a small bird with a beautiful song.

I also see a few Damselflies.

Continuing on, I see a couple for Curlew (my favorites) at the bike crossing in front of Beacon Hill. Hey, there's way more than 2! I count at least 15 of them! Amazing! Wondering why there are so many in one spot!

I move ahead to check for Burrowing Owls - score! There is an adult and 2 fluff balls - well they are molted that fluff! First time for baby owls!

I check on for Burrowing Owls downhill of the 1st pull-out - score! Just a lone adult!

I reach the causeway and start back. The Pelicans are gone now.

What an incredible day! Baby pheasant and Burrowing Owls in three locations, Pelicans, Coyote, Bison, Pronghorn, Deer, field full of Curlews, etc. Amazing day!!