Oct 9 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Decided, last minute, to take today off and enjoy this sunny near 80 degree day before the bottoms fall out again this week-end.

The original plan was to head up to Lake Mary, Martha, Catherine but since I haven't done a lot of mountain climbs this summer since Twin Lakes is closed, I decided to head to warmer and snow-free landscape of Antelope Island. Today, I'm driving the Island for the first time since Spring and hiking the Sentry Trail (and yes, it is a mountain). 

I arrive at the Island before 8am. Crossing the causeway, just out of the gate, is a Kestrel - love the Fall arrival of hawks!

A bit farther down the road, I see another hawk flying along the road. Perfect start!

Closer to the Island, I see this large possibly Heron on the Farmington Bay water's edge. Hard to tell with the sun rising so I grab my camera to take a photo. Oops, I have no memory card! Oh well, I'll just shoot with my phone's camera even though it won't be much help with this shot.

I arrive on the Island and head south towards the Ranch. There are no bison behind the VC but there are some just before the rocky curve and in the rocky curve.

I ride past a couple of bison just after the road to the Gravel Pit.

On the downside, I find no Burrowing Owls out.

I continue to the White Rock area where there are no bison but I see 2 probably Antelope climbing the mountain. I can zoom in with my camera but with "old" eyes I really can't make out an ID. They down have a white butt which is why I'm saying Antelope. Though to be fair, my 1st instinct were Mule Deer. I'll never know but still fun to find and see.

I pass Frary Peak and the bison are no longer here either. I fear they have move down to Sentry Peak - that would be my luck.

I continue on with no other sightings and as the Ranch comes into view, "Ha!" they are in front of Sentry Peak. Too funny! Oh well, it wasn't meant to be so I'm heading back to hike Gravel Pit/Beacon Hill.

I arrive at the TH and I don't know where the couple of bison went from earlier; they just disappeared.

I gear up and start up the trail. It's around 54 degrees, sunny with a nice breeze - a perfect day for a hike.

I'm out of the Pit and the trail is clear as far as I can see. Just a few moths and dragonflies out flying.

Soon I'm circling Beacon Hill and finding no critters. And then not far from the trail up the hill, a male Pronghorn appears - surprise!

He must have been laying down and popped up. But nice surprise.

I climb Beacon Hill and when I crest, I see what looks like branches (maybe antlers) among the large rocks. I'm about ready to head over and investigate when it moves. Holy cow! It's another male antelope lying down. 

I stop briefly and when I start walking again, he stands up. Nice!

I turn to continue and see 2 ears in front of me. It's a female Antelope. She stands quickly and it a bit spooked as she alarms calls and starts moving away. This is when I see a 2nd female Antelope to her right. This one is calmer and stays laying down.

I continue to move down the trail and the female pronghorn continues to move in my path. At some point, the other female joins her and they cross the trail and stay put as I pass. Once I'm by, they start moving south towards the male. That was fun but I'm wondering where they will be when I return.

I continue to the look-out as I approach, I scare a flock of Chukkars and send them flying when I do reach the end. Not bad for back-up trail!!

I stop briefly to enjoy the view and start heading back.

I do finally reach the Pronghorn; all 5 of them! Two males (the one must've climb up the hill) and 3 females. Not sure where the 3rd one was hiding.

The two females take off to the north (Alarm calls and all) and the two males follow shortly after. The one female was tagged and she was calm. I was almost next to her when she finally took off towards the other 4. Excellent!


Soon I'm back at my car and driving home. 

Oh, that large bird is still along the causeway -- still betting it's a Blue Heron.

Awesome day!

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