March 7 - Sentry Trail (Pronghorn Day!)

Well, we've just had a brief winter. Mountains got 20+ inches of snow earlier this week; and even the valley got snow - me 3-4inches in a couple of hours on Tuesday!!! Looked so pretty on Wednesday as the foothills and benches were white. That's fading now but still looking good.

But back to Spring - today is supposed to be sunny and mid-50s. Frost last night but the temps will warm quickly.

Heading to Antelope Island today - don't want to mess with the mountains as too many folks will be heading up to enjoy the new snow.

Hiking the Sentry Trail - figure White Rock will be crowded with bikers as it was a few weeks ago.

Crossing the causeway was very brown -- no water, no snow just brown lake beds on both sides. I was almost to the island before I finally found water. And today, there were no ducks in the usual spots. Are they migrating north (seems a bit early) or just seeking cover from the snow/cold?

As I passed the psychedelic bison statue upon entering island, there was a family with their dog (looked like a black lab) by the bison. The dog was terrified of the statue - tail between legs, body hugging the ground -- too funny!! (Poor dog!)

There was at least one bison up above the road behind the Visitor's Center.

And 2 dead jackrabbits in the middle of the road --- good eats for the coyotes (or ravens).

As I turned to head down the road to the Ranch, there was a Chukkar in the middle of the road. He scampered across the street and into the grasses.

Saw another Chukkar on a rock a little further down the road. (Actually heard a lot of them today - but those were the only two I saw.)

I see a single pronghorn standing in the grasses.

Further down, I see some lighter spots and pullover for a look -- there's actually 5 pronghorn laying down enjoying the morning sun. Really hard to see --- just a difference in color caught my eye. None of them seem to have horns -- must be a group of females. They should be having their babies soon.

Other than the pronghorn, I don't see any animals until I'm at the fence line a mile or so before the ranch, there's a good sized herd. There's one bison that the birds really like to rest on -- probably 15-20 birds at one point.

Afterwards, there were a few smaller herds before reaching the ranch.

I get to the Ranch, the dirt road to the Sentry parking is open - yea! (Just a mile less walking which could be a good thing since I'm breaking in new hikers - I hate new hikers.) I pull-in the Ranch parking lot for a quick pit-stop and spot a bird of prey in the trees.

As I drive to the Sentry parking, I spot a herd of bison around Mushroom Springs -- I'm going to have company on the trail this morning :)

As I start down the trail, I see a white butterfly flying. My 1st Spring butterfly of the season (the overwintering ones don't count). It's a Checkered White.

Hearty little guy with the snow and freezing temps we've had recently.

I see another a little further down the trail.

As I get closer to the Springs, there's a few bison to the right of the Springs and the rest of the herd is on a 'ledge' above the Springs. No worries for me. In fact while at the Springs, I can't even see the bison above.

There's a Red-winged blackbird calling from a tree at the Springs.

And there's another White! But this one is a 'lifer' for me -- a Becker's White.

As I'm walking down the trail heading south from the Springs, I notice 2 pronghorns grazing up the hill I soon will be climbing. They don't see me as I approach heading right towards them. I'm interested in how close I can get -- they are pretty skiddish.

As I get closer, I notice the head of another pronghorn. Its on the other side of a little ridge but it's moving the same direction as the other two.

Finally, they see me.

They wait a few seconds and then take off trotting downhill to the west. I lose them behind the little ridge but they eventually come out down by the dirt road. It's a great day for Pronghorn.

Lots of little pink flowers --

same pink flowers from the Split Rock Trail a few weeks ago but now they're blooming on the east side of the island.

Meadowlarks are calling.

And there are Ground Beetles and Tiger Beetles around.

I stop when I hear some howling -- I see a bunch of people below and wonder if they're making the sounds. But nope, definitely coyotes (at least two). They're howling, yipping.... I listen for a couple of minutes before they stop. Such a nice sound.

Nice views up here. Snowy mountains to the east and the inversion layer.

I get to the top and stop to enjoy the view for a little bit before continuing down the ridge behind Sentry Peak.

Lots of the Spring Parsley blooming up here.

With all the Chukkars that I've heard this morning, I thought I'd hear or see them as I went past the peak, but it was quiet.

I do hear and spot a Horned Lark sitting on a rock.

I get across and it's time to head down.

I see a Sulpher flying. I try to get a good look for an ID but no luck. I see another a little further down.

I come across a bunch of fresh animal pellets -- I'm not sure if these were deer or antelope but it was a decent size herd.

Lots of folks coming up the trail now -- can't say I've ever seen this many people on the trail.

I'm back down above Mushroom Springs and get a good look at the bison herd on laying down for an early afternoon rest.

Back at the ranch, I need to stop and check-out the owls. They nest in Feb. Hoping I can find the nesting spot and might get a look at the owlets. The nesting spot was easy to find because they had the area roped off with a person 'guarding' it. I see one of the owls in the trees. The 'guard' says he was told the owls were done nesting but didn't know if they had chicks. With the area roped off, I'm pretty sure they do. Maybe I'll get to see them soon.

Time to head out. That group of pronghorns laying in the grass I saw earlier, they were still there. One standing, the rest still laying down.

I have to slam on my breaks when a jackrabbit hops across the road -- man, they have big ears/big feet.

Great day!