It's not supposed to rain -- other than early morning showers --- so when I started out, it was sunny w/ poofy clouds to the west and cloudy with a peaking out sun to the east. Looks like the weathermen might be correct today with their sunny forecast today (yesterday was supposed to be a wash-out; instead it was sunny (very windy) and didn't rain until the evening)
Lots of water around the causeway this morning; could be all the rain we've been getting or a pretty decent south wind (or both). But its simply beautiful --- wonderful reflections on the mountains in the water on both sides of the causeway.
Not too far past the gate I cruise by a male pheasant! I stopped and walked back hoping to sneak up on it but I couldn't find it. :( (But its a first for me - haven't seen a pheasant here!)
No trip down to the Ranch today -- heading straight for the White Rock Trail -- decided to change it up a bit today (and that was only reinforced when I saw the Bison Point Cafe opened on March 1 -- Bison Burgers!!!)
Oddly, there were no bison around the Visitor's Center this morning. As I drove past the Visitor's Center and passing the waste disposal (for camper trailors) there was something in the field that just didn't look right. So I pulled off in the disposal area and zoomed my camera in on a pronghorn - all alone grazing!
The island is just stunning today to the east and west.
When I turned towards the White Rock parking I stopped to take a picture to the west and I scared a bunny! (Actually the first jackrabbit I've seen on the Island.)
Got to the parking area and still no bison around.
So I started my hike by going on the eastern part of the loop. The birds were definitely singing this morning including the yellow-breasted Western Meadowlark that was belting out his song from the top of a fence post.
As I climbed higher, I spot a bison down by the corral area. And as I get even higher, I realize there are actually 2 bison, one is laying down. As I continue further, there is definitely something in the meadow, the color just doesn't match the surrounding area. I zoom in and notice a pronghorn laying in the grass. There's another one there --- maybe a baby. But I don't think it can be a baby - if the Mom's already calved, I'd bet they'd stay together as a nursery herd for protection against coyotes and other predators.
The trail takes me higher and parallel to the pronghorn and its it 2! Only they are both adults. They're kinda cute as both are lying down facing each other about 5-10 feet apart. (like reversed Sphinx book-ends)
Finally get high enough to start seeing the Wastach Mts to the east. Nice white snowy mountains. I notice there are a couple of horses now behind me -- let's see who can get to the top first :)
Of course I lost -- the 2 horses where ridden by trail patrol in their lime green vests. I thought it was nice that they asked if I had seen the 2 pronghorn. (Which of course I did)
The White Rock bay is in full view now -- stunning with the mts to the west and the differing brown/tan colors of last year's grasses. Below I can see a herd of about 15 bison (tiny, very tiny), another herd of 4 further down and one more herd of 3 down by the trail by the lake. I'm exciting - finally some bison!!!
Frary Peak is now in front of me -- just tiny specks of white snow left ; otherwise gorgeous especially in a blue sky with spotty clouds (there looks like some thunderstorms brewing to the south - hmmmm, there was no rain in the forecast.)
I come around to the apex, right in the middle of the island with an unbelievable view of the snowy Wasatch front to the east with a fantastic looking Farmington Bay below and to the west, White Rock Bay. Not a bad thing to look at for the 1/4 mile I'm heading south on the ridge above the valley. It's really unbelievably pretty!
More signs of Spring --- tiny little plant getting ready to bloom.
I turn to head down the valley and start scanning for animals other than the bison. Nothing....yet.
I notice that the trail patrol has stopped near the bison. Were they just resting the horses or were the bison on the trail and they were waiting to help me get thru safely. I guess I'll find out in a few minutes.
I continue scanning and notice a brightness in the middle of the valley -- I zoom in and there's a lone pronghorn walking down the valley. There may be others but its far away and I only see this one because he turn into the sunlight. I lose him and don't find him again.
As I got closer to the trail patrol, I noticed they were talking to a guy with a dog. And that the bison were very near the trail. The guy finally started walking my way -- mentioned that the bison were all adults (no babies).
I notice that there are 2 bison standing on the trail, both looking at me and not moving - there were bison on both sides of the trail. The one trail patrol person said that these are all young male bison and its Spring and they are looking to play .... with anything. Since the 2 bison had no interest in moving off trail, she recommended I go up the hill to the rocks (which is above the bison -- giving them a wide berth) and than walk past. And I certainly complied - don't want to mess with feisty bison.
And boy was I getting the eye from several of the bison as I went around. A couple jogging behind me were given the same instructions and we all got around the bison and back to the trail.
There was lady on a horse with another horse she must be training that past me going in the other direction. I looked back a few moments later, and the trail patrol were directing her around the bison as well.
I looked ahead and saw 3 bison in the middle of the trail and a group of hiker either watching the bison or simply blocked by them. I had a ways to go so I was hoping the bison will move off. And that they did -- the people just seemed to be resting. They had a little dog, not sure how the dog (and its tiny legs) made it that far but I'm sure they were taking a rest because of the dog.
The 3 bison were not that far off the trail but far enough. I stopped when the one laid down and wallowed -- all I saw were legs going back and forth. He got up right way and then stuck his head into the grasses. Then he laid down again.
The 2nd bison then proceeded to take his turn at wallowing -- more flailing legs. He stayed down.
Then the first bison proceeded to wallow again. Then he got up and stared right at me. Thankfully, the 2nd bison got up and then all three walked down towards the water.
I continued on past White Rock and enjoying the views of Bison Point ahead of me. I met up with another Trail Patrol person (this time on foot) and we talked. Told him of the pronghorn I saw and the detour around the bison further up the trail. There were some birds calling. He said that they were the Chukkars. One usually takes look-out while the other feed. Well we didn't see any look-outs at first. But one did finally fly up onto a rock to take the scout role.
I see a couple of green tiger beetles!
I met one more guy on horseback just coming over a little hill entering the valley as I was exiting. I asked how he was doing and his answer is one of my new favorites "I'm awesome on the verge of spectacular right now". I could only think it was in reference to the incredible scenery.
On the final leg back to the parking area, there was one bison.
Couldn't believe when I got to my car that it was almost 2pm -- I left at 10:30 --- the trail must be longer than 6.5 miles because I don't walk that slow! But its time for that Bison Burger!! Hmmm....
The way back across the causeway was even more incredible! Yes, someone on the south end of the lake was getting dumped with rain. But it was sunny with poofy clouds everywhere else. And the poofy clouds, white mountains reflected so beautifully off the calm lake.
Frary Peak....
North Side on causeway...
A little slice of heaven.
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