Dec 12 -West Part of White Rock (Antelope Island)

 Cloudy day with highs in the low 40s. Heading to Antelope Island today hoping to walk to Beacon Hill again but as always, it depends on the bison. And considering the bison were along the trail on Tuesday, I'm skeptical.

It's 31 degrees and cloudy as I cross the causeway. I'm surprised by the snow on Antelope Island; guess they got more snow up here and we got rain. It's very pretty though.

No Kestrels this morning but I do spot 2 coyotes on the Salt Lake side. I think the one is the same one I saw last Tuesday as he is limping. But he's hanging in there and he has some help for now. Almost looks like he has a broken hip. (Maybe he got hit by a car.)

Several boats of duck hunters near the Island this morning but there are only sea gulls around. The ducks are smarter and are farther south in Farmington Bay.

And a black dot in the distance which is an adult Bald Eagle and he appears to have gotten a duck this morning.

I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch. There are no bison to be seen around the VC. In fact there are no bison in sight all the way to the Ranch. It's a rare day for that to happen.

There snow all over the landscape; just an inch or two.

But there is a herd of around 15 Pronghorn on the Beacon Hill mountain. They are moving very slowly north. Quite a treat to see them.

There are no deer or Porcupine visible near Frary Peak but I do see another pair of coyote a bit farther down the road. 

Great coyote day!!

I arrive at the Ranch, no deer, bison, Pronghorn to be seen. I turn around and head back north to the Gravel Pit trail.

I arrive in the lot and quickly see a herd of bison near the ridge and see a couple of them run over the ridge. Guess I'm not hiking to Beacon Hill today! 

Time for Plan B - White Rock.

I head over to the west side of the Island. There is one bison behind the VC.

Then at the White Rock turnoff, there is a herd of of bison with a large one behind them.

And at the road to the White Rock parking lot, there are still more bison.

But hey, the trail is clear!

I park, gear up and start up the trail. I'm thinking of going to Beacon Hill but that's probably a 6 mile hike; I'm not ready for that yet (still trying to give my hip a break). I'll hike the west side of the loop until I get a view of the entire White Rock meadow. That should be at least 2 miles (I think).

Away I go. The trail is clear though and so is most of the landscape on this side of the Island.

I reach the top of the hill and may be way along the west side finding a couple of yellow composite flowers still hanging on.

It's very quiet out.

Soon I'm turning up and heading east up White Rock meadow. So far I see no bison but I still have a little ways to go.

Finally I can see the entire meadow and backside of the mountains and I find bison!! Awesome!

Good hike but it's time to head back.

Saw 2 Blue Herons flying and apparently landed near the golf course just outside the park. December - impressive!

Awesome day!