My Utah Adventure 2025

 Finally a sunny day. Yea, it's cold, a mere 16 degrees but it's still hikeable. So I'm heading for Antelope Island for a hike I hope. I arrive at the Causeway and my hopes of a hike are dashed as the flag is almost straight out from a NE wind. Way, too cold despite my layers. Not too far down the causeway, a Bald Eagle flies over my car - very cool! Other than that, the Causeway is quiet this morning, Kestrels or hawks except at the bridge, there is some open water and there are a bunch of Shovelers and Avocets - and no hunters. I turn south on the Island. There are no bison behind the VC but there is a dark blob on the ice not far from shore. I pull-off and at first I think they are Bald Eagles bunched together BUT is a coyote laying on the ice. Perhaps he has some breakfast; otherwise I'm not sure why he'd be laying on ice in a blowing wind. As I watch, I see another coyote on land running north and past the "iced" coyote. Nice start! At the curves just...

Partly cloudy day with temp in the mid-30s but a chilly morning with temps in the mid-20s. Happy New Year! And yes, this is the first hike of the year finally. (All due to snowy/rainy days off.) Heading up to Antelope Island to hike to Beacon Hill. Hopefully, because there was plenty of bison around the trail when I hiked it New Year's Eve. I arrive on the causeway some time after 8:30. It's sunny and 29 degrees and that's with the sun beating down on my car. I see a Kestrel on my crossing and a few hawks flying around but no Eagles. (Oh, plenty of duck hunters too.) I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch passing 2 bison behind the VC. (That's 2 more bison then I saw on the east side of the Island then on New Year's Eve!) I'm surprised that there's no snow on the ground. (There's snow at my house.) So much for bringing my waterproof boots. :) But there is a light dusting of snow on the peaks. Quiet drive until White Rock where there is anoth...