I can see bugs - there were swarms of them - driving along the causeway this morning. I do stop to look at the reflections in the water. (You can see the bugs in the photo.)
They look like mosquitoes but maybe they are the midges I was told about last week. They were lined up on the other side of my car when I went to get back in. (Hopefully, the trail isn't bad.)
I head straight down the east side of the island. I see 4 bison still in the same spot as last week - along the big fence.
And a little further along there was a solo bison, then a couple heading downhill through the rocks. Basically, there were scattered small groups all the way to the Ranch. And they were far away from the road.
Also, spot a lone pronghorn.
As I get closer to the ranch, there's a very large herd on the Farmington Bay lake bed. I wonder why they are out there -- there's no water, no food.
And then a smaller one next to the road. I stop to watch. They are slowly moving south -- I can hear the one bison breathing.
I get to the Sentry TH. I'm the only car (yea!) and start my hike. (No bugs!)
There's 2 herds of bison I have to deal with on the trail down the Mushroom Springs. The 1st herd probably 20 animals - they are 20-30 yards of the trail. As I get nearer some of the bison start looking at me, I veer off the trail just to give them some room. The herd simply starts walking a little south (20-30ft) and stops. (Guess we both gave each other a little space.)
I go back to the trail and continue.
I'm seeing lots of sulphers today..
The other herd is near Mushroom Springs and as I get closer I can tell that they are blocking the trail. So off-trail I go taking a line past Mushroom Springs and the herd of bison. I find some of bison bones along the way.
I get back to the trail and look back.
My trail is clear (at least for now) so I continue. Seeing Tiger Beetles, Ground Beetles, lots of wasp-like flyers.
The larks are sure singing this morning. I pass one belting out its song from a rock.
Seeing a few orange Mylitta Crescents along the way.
I get to the ridge - always beautiful to the west.
And no animals to be seen other than lizards -- lots of lizards.
I take a quick break at the picnic table before continuing south along the ridge behind Sentry Peak.
I finally spot a small herd of bison far below in a valley. They look like they are laying down.
I find one purple daisy just starting to bloom -- it's the only one I see.
I'm past Sentry Peak and on the last stretch before the trail turns and heads downhill completing the loop. I see some bison ahead (maybe a group of 10-15). Can't tell yet if they are by the trail or further south.
I finally see the picnic table marking the turn downhill and the bison are definitely further south. As I get closer, they start to move west and downhill. They start running. Hey, there's babies!!! Yep, I see two babies running with their Moms.
They can't be that old - the other herds I've passed haven't had young.
Now I'm wondering if that large herd of bison on lake bed have babies too. It's open; they can see approaching predators and protect the young. Will have to check-out that herd on my way out.
Now its time to head downhill.
I'm almost to where my trail closes the loop when I spot something bright white basically in the middle of the loop. It could be a rock or a pronghorn (they seem to glow in the sunlight). It is a pronghorn laying down!
He was not visible from the side of the loop I went up but very near, just on the downside of some junipers. (I think they're junipers.)
As I get further down the trail, he gets up and starts slowly walking up to the ridge.
Still seeing Mylitta Crescents flying. Also see a Becker's White and a Cabbage White.
I'm on a long flat switchback heading south. I look down and the bison that were by Mushroom Springs have moved further north. I'll have clear sailing when I get there.
Then I look to my right and there's a coyote!! Only 20-30 ft from me walking southwest very calmly and slowly. Looks like he is hunting. He stops and looks back at me but doesn't run. Just continues. And he is hunting, I see him drop his head into the vegetation and he come up chewing.
He's got to be hunting the lizards - there's so many out.
He slowly keeps moving southwest and I move with him down the trail trying to keep my same distance. Occasionally, he turns to look at me but resumes his hunting. Very cool!
All day I've seen moving lizards, I finally get a good look at one with a touch yellow/orange.
I spot a grey/blue bfly flying. He stops -- a Grey Hairstreak (very fresh).
I'm back at Mushroom Springs and heading for the trailhead. I stop at the herd of bison, still in the same spot as earlier in the day. Need to check for babies -- No babies. Just a bunch of bison rolling in the dirt.
As I head back down the road, I find a herd of 4 pronghorn and further down a herd of 3. They too should be having their babies soon.
Another great day on Antelope Island.
(When I get home, I check the photos of the bison I took down below the Sentry Peak ridge. Not only are they laying down, there's a baby bison standing by his Mom!!! Guess the Moms with young are on the West side today
.)
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