My Utah Adventure 2025

 Cloudy, snowy/raining morning BUT the gusty winds are way down AND the sun is supposed to show around 9AM. I can actually hike this morning! (Actually I could've hiked the last couple days but the wind gust have been over 25mph with cloudy skies, mid-50s; just not worth it to me.) Heading up to Antelope Island and hoping the rain has stopped before I get there. I leave my house around 8am and it's a rainy/snow. Roads are very slushy but I do see blue sky up north. Gradually, it turns to all rain and when I get to Hwy 177, it's stopped - Yea! I see several Kestrels on the drive. I arrive at the gate to temps around 35 degrees, mostly cloudy skies, and a light wind. This should be good! No action along the causeway this morning. When I arrive on the Island, I head south towards the Ranch. The blue skies are still to the west so fingers crossed. I spot a herd of bison in the distance before the fence line and a coyote crosses in front of me at the 1st water hole. I look uphil...

 Sunny day with highs in the 50s. Yes, that's right 50s (yesterday we tied an all-time record high at 62). Where is winter? Today is an off-Friday and I don't feel like driving to Antelope Island so I'm going to check-out Lambs Road. I'm assuming is closed for the winter but due to the lack of snow, I'm not bringing my spikes. And I have hope of walking a portion of the trail. I arrive around 9am. It's sunny and around 40 degrees. The gate is closed and there's a bunch of cars in the lot. I pass the gate and the road is for the most part clear with scattered patches of ice. The south wind makes it a bit chilly especially because I'm in the shade. Actually not sure that much of this road is ever in the sun right now since the sun is heading to it's lowest. But only for a few more days then the days will be getting longer (yea!). The creek is running strong from the melting of the snow we got last week-end. About a 1/4 way about up, the road becomes al...

 Hazy day with temps in the mid-50 again. Heading up to walk the trail at Little Dell. Not the most exciting but there are lots of possibilities to see (Porcupine, Moose, Turkeys, Elk) and it's quiet and probably snow/ice free. Arrive around 9:30. Let the temps warm up a bit but not too much because I think the trail will be very muddy. The reservoir is low as one would expect and there are a couple of ducks on the water. Can't tell what kind as I didn't bring binoculars. I gear up and head down toward the water. The trail is a mix of dry dirt and frozen mud so I was smart to leave when I did. I head down the trail and then a detour towards the water. Lots of dry'sh lake bed; I stopped where the grass ended. Just one fisherman out there. Back on the trail, it's quiet and peaceful. Keep scanning for moose/deer/elk or any other critter. I do see some moose/elk/deer tracks in frozen mud, a squirrel and chickadees along the trail. I can hear the creek running at certain...

 And it's another sunny day with temps in the mid-50s extending the non-winter streak. (I guess technically it's still Fall though). The mornings have been cool though; today it's 32 degrees. Heading to Antelope Island this morning to hike either Sentry Peak or the Gravel Pit. As I drive up, there's fog layer over Farmington Bay -- looks like an ocean out there.  I see one hawk on that same pole; must be his morning perch. I arrive at the gateway and prepare to drive thru a thick fog bank. It opens in the middle of the drive and then closes again as I reach the Island. I head south at the Island. It is foggy but I do not see any critters around the VC. In fact it's quiet until past the toilets where I find a decent size herd of bison. I continue onto the Ranch; no critters near Sentry Peak. I have a clear hike but decide it's a Gravel Pit day. I head back north passes that herd of bison. Up near Beacon Hill I see a couple bison so I guess I'll have some comp...

Mostly cloudy near with temp in the mid-40s. Heading up to Antelope Island this morning. Not feeling a hike. I don't know why but perhaps that will change when I get up there. It's clear skies in SLC but looking north it's pretty cloudy. I see only one hawk on my drive up. He was oddly snuggling right next to a light pole. I think it's a strange location but obviously he was content. I roll thru the gate and there's a Kestrel perched on a large. I stop right next to the sign hoping...but he flies (as I expected). Perhaps I'll see him on my return. An otherwise a quiet drive along the causeway. Should be seeing Bald Eagles but too warm, no ice, and no snow. However, I do see that Blue Heron that has been hanging out along the causeway for over month. Lucky for me he's actually near the causeway. I come to a stop on the other side of the road for a wonderful view. Of course, when I drive off, he flies off. Sorry buddy to scare you. I reach the island and head ...

 Happy Thanksgiving! Sunny day with temps in the mid-50s. Heading up to Antelope Island for a hike to Beacon Hill. On the drive up, I saw 3 big brown hawks but crossing the causeway no hawks and no Kestrels. But I did see a lone coyote trotting east off the causeway. I reach the Island and turn south. There are 4 bison behind the VC. And nothing else but until my turn around spot in from of the White Rock mountains. (I didn't go farther as there was just too many cars around for my liking.) I head back to the Gravel Pit where I join to 2 cars in the lot. I gear up and start the trail. Just a quiet morning walk. No bison, deer, pronghorn or Chukkars along the way.  But several folks on bikes. I reach the top and stop for a break. Lovely day. Time to head back. On the drive back along causeway, the Kestrels appear; I count 5 them all perched on road posts. Good day!