Beautiful morning with a high around 72 degrees expected (well above normal). Causeway crossing was pretty "fall-ish" today.
When I get there, I head straight to the White Rock Trailhead.
Lots of groups camping in the White Rock campground -- last time I was here, it was empty.
There are usually at least a couple of bison around the TH (old bulls), but nothing today -- last week when I was here, it seemed like every bison on the island was over on the east side, perhaps they wandered over as well.
TH is pretty busy today with lots of folks on horses - and lots of "road apples" to dodge on the trail :)
I take the left side of the trail as I normally do to get the climbing out of the way. Its a clear day but there is a layer of haze over the water. Still not a bad view.
Not a lot of blooming plants left - a few sunflowers and some yellow flowers on stalks - I think its a species of mullein but not sure.
I see a dragonfly. (The only life so far other than flies and a few mosquitoes.)
I notice a pink flower that I found back in August. There are only 2 plants with blooms.
I pass above the stockyard (looking north) which is empty now but next week it will be full of bison. On Friday, is the annual Bison Round-up and then, the Bison Physicals the following week-end. I attended the physicals last year -- it was fun.
The trail finally flattens out and I start seeing White Rock Bay to the west. And Frary Peak to the south. But I don't see animals in the valley below - at least no bison, they're pretty to easy to see. Perhaps there's some deer or antelope still hiding.
Its a little windier and cooler up here walking along the ridgeline south. To the east, Farmington Bay is pretty empty and the Wasatch mountains can be seen through the hazy sunshine.
As the trail turns west and starts heading downhill, life suddenly appears in the form of a female Checkered White butterfly. And a few feet away, several Common Checkered Skipper nectaring on a yellow composite. Further down, Clouded Sulphers. There are lots of Common Checkered Skippers flying.
I also spot Tiger Beetles. They are very active heading down the valley and heading back to the TH. I believe these are Cow Path Tiger Beetles. They have eyes, a mouth, and big eyebrows. :)
About 1/2 down the valley, I notice a very small butterfly, It's definitely a blue and the only one I know this small is a Western Pygmy Blue. I finally get a good look to confirm the ID - definitely Western Pygmy Blue. Having a wingspan of about 1/2 inch, this guy is the smallest bfly in North America (and one of the smallest in the world). Saw over 15 of them today. Some of them pretty fresh. (This is the 1st time I've seen these in UT.)
I pass by a still blooming Tufted Primrose and track down a Mylitta Crescent flying down the trail.
I turn to head back north towards the parking lot. Lots of people coming towards me some walking but most on horses.
Many Common Checkered Skippers and Western Pygmy Blues flying on this stretch as well.
I find just a few plant of Rocky Mt Beebalm still blooming (and with seed pods).
I wander off trail a few yards to get a decent photo of the bay and actually scare up my 1st mammal of the day -- a rabbit!
The bay looked great with fall-colored vegetation, white beach, water.
The lizards out today running between the rocks.
I add another bfly to my list today -- a Painted Lady.
After a quick lunch at the Bison Grill w/ a group of black leather clad bikers -- they sat at my table. Bet we looked a bit interesting; they all decked in black leather and me in my bright lime green shirt :)
Time to head to the east side of the island.
Find 5 bison pretty quickly by one of the water basins.
I definitely did find bison but the large herds of a week ago were smaller and further off the road. And there were more bison along this road last week.
But no antelope and no coyotes.
On the way back, I pulled off in a small parking lot just to look at the dry bay. Below down by what usually is water were 4 bison. I headed north a little bit and spotted 5 additional bison. They noticed me immediately and were staring at me for a bit
and then continued their feeding.
Another great day at Antelope Island!
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