Sept 5 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Temperatures are cooling this week-end with a cold front coming through today. The high is supposed  to be 78 - perfect day to beat the Saturday crowds in the mountains and head to Antelope Island.

I head out the door this morning at a little after 8am and it's already 76 degrees - it's not looking too good for a high of 78, maybe heading to the Island is not a good idea...but I'm going anyway.

As I almost get to my exit 30-40 miles north, the temperatures are cooling. By the time I get to the island, it's barely 70 degrees - yea! the cold front is thru earlier than they said!!! It's still windy, but I'm sure that will feel good while hiking.

I head directly to the trail passing the Visitor's and a sole bison alongside the road - he's just busy eating. There's another laying down enjoying the lake front views.

And 2 other solo bison in field behind the Visitor's Center. Besides, a jack rabbit, that's the only wildlife I see on the way to the trail head.

I expected the campground to be full (it's a holiday week-end) but very few campers. I grabbed my normal parking spot and start the trail.

Not a single bison in sight -- that hasn't happened too often.

The vegetation is very dry and brown/tan ... but pretty with the sun shining one it.

There are bursts of yellow from the blooming sunflowers, mullein and another composites. The bees are loving the blooms.

Lots of birds flying around today but not a lot of singing. Tons of grasshoppers - several different species hopping a bout.

Up the switchbacks I go. I spot a Western White and Clouded Sulpher.

Also seeing a lot of pronghorn scat -- some look pretty fresh. Definitely keeping my I eye for them.

I get up all of  switchbacks when I see something moving along the fence line. My initial thought is a coyote but after zooming in with my camera, it's a pronghorn! He's moving "funny" with his head down. And there's another pronghorn behind the fence just standing there.

I keep moving and soon notice that first pronghorn is not that far away and moving in my direction -- 100-200 yards off the trail but still in my direction. I stop to watch.

I soon realize why his head is down, he has green vegetation tangled in his antlers! And it's hanging in front of his face -- talk about dangling incentive in front of your nose to keep moving!! Too funny!

I keep moving and spot the 2nd pronghorn on a ridge looking at me and his buddy.

I soon reach the high point of the trail looking down over the White Rock valley - no animals down there :(

But a great view to the east!

I make my way across the ridge and start my way down. Starting to see many Common Branded Skippers flying and nectaring on the sunflowers. Also see a Field Crescent, a Monarch and many Common Checkered Skippers.

There is a small herd of bison on the other side of the valley.

Then I see a skinny dark object about 400-500 yards down  the trail. It sticks out in the landscape so I have a look. It's my 3rd pronghorn of the day! He's head-on to me making him difficult to see. But as I get closer, he moves sideways making him easier to see.

I get a little closer and the pronghorn trots off up the valley.

I finally find a flower that's not yellow!

And some low to the grown purple asters - just a couple plants in one spot.

I'm on the final stretch down along the Salt Lake. Seeing lizards now - boy are they zipping around the trail.

I'm hoping to see a Western Pygmy Blue -- saw many of them last year in this area. They are one of the tiniest bflies making them hard to see especially with flies, bees, grasshoppers flying around. But finally, I see one!! Further along, I see a couple more. :)

Also last year I was seeing lot of Rocky Mt Bee Plant (Cheome family). It took awhile but I finally see 4 plants all within 10 feet of each other. Wonder where they all went.

I get back to my car and it's only 73 degrees - love it!

Great day!