Nov 15 - Sentry Trail (It's Pronghorn Day on Antelope Island!)

Highs are supposed to be near 60 degrees today! Do I want to spend probably the last 60 degree of the year in the snow OR in the 60 temps? (We're supposed to have snow in the valley tomorrow -- what a temperature change!) The warm 60 degree temps is the winner so I'm heading to Antelope Island to walk the Sentry Trail today.

I get on the island just after 9:30 and heading down the east side towards the Ranch. I see 3 bison near the "fence".

I just pass Frary Peak when movement catches my eye toward the middle of the island - it's 5 pronghorn moving south in a straight line.

Further south, not too far from the Ranch, I see a pretty large herd of bison toward the middle of the island.

I start the Sentry Trail, there are still a few Clouded Sulphers flying; also a few large grasshoppers hopping/flying around.

I'm heading towards Mushroom Springs looking around when I see a small herd of bison to the south. I don't think they will be an issue as they look far enough away from the trail.

As I close in, the herd is actually larger than I thought with a small group (the part I originally saw) below up on the high point of swale and the large group in the lower part. Some of them are looking my way but I just walk pass and start the switchbacks.

I'm surprised to see a few dragonflies.

There's also this butterfly or moth flying around. It just never lands -- I think its a moth. I see several of them on the walk and none cooperate.

I also see a Western Pygmy Blue - two on the trail today.

I'm on the final "up" portion of the trail and in the distance I see a lone bison looking down at me. I think I will be meeting him up close soon.

And I do, but luckily he's far enough from the trail that I just walk past as he watches.

The ridge is beautiful as always. The Salt Lake water is so blue this morning and the peaks to the south (off island) are snow covered.

I cross along the ridge checking the valley below for animals but all I see are some sagebrush looking bison. I just pass Sentry Peak when two doe pop up from the valley below about 20 feet ahead of me.

We all stop -- I looking at the deer and the deer looking at me, tilting their heads from one side to the other trying to figure out if I'm friend or foe.

After about a minute, the one turns and with two bounds disappears into the valley again. The other soon follows. Love those up close unexpected encounters!!

Heading back down, I see a lone bison way in the distance under another peak. Just a tiny brown spot in the distance.

I'm nearing the end of the loop portion of the trail when I see another lone bison just ahead of me and he's only a few feet off the trail.

I'm hoping he moves as I get closer but he's holding his ground; time to go off trail to get safely around him. An uneventful move except I get all these pointy seed stuck in my socks and they are poking me. I have to make a quick stop for removal.

As I pass pass a couple heading up, I see the man point behind me and say there's a large buck. I turn and sure enough there's a big deer! And he's running downhill. Something sure spooked him.

That large herd of bison are still in their same location.

As I near Mushroom Springs, I see some fresh Pronghorn scat -- I don't remember seeing this on the way up. There has to be Pronghorn nearby. I look down towards the road 1/4-1/2 mile away and see a car stopped on the road. I bet he's looking at the Pronghorn.

I make my way down towards the road scanning for antelope. I get to the top of one swale and there they are!! A herd of about 20 antelope! They are all stopped feeding. Then suddenly, they are spooked and take off running to the south towards the bison. They seem to be paralleling the road but then they disappear.

When I get to my car, I head down the road hoping to catch a glimpse of them but they are gone. :( But at least I did get a chance to see them at a distance.

Heading back north past the Ranch, that large bison herd has now moved closer to the road.

I can't find that herd of 5 pronghorn but further north on the road I do find a herd of 7 pronghorn north of Frary Peak -- actually under the White Rock Trail ridge.

An amazing day for pronghorn viewing today! That does't happen often.

Another great day on Antelope Island!

(After looking at my photos, I find a pronghorn hanging out with the Sentry trail small group of bison as I was first starting the trail. That herd of 20 must have been there from the start.)