Decide to do the Sentry Trail loop on the east side of the island.
Driving over the causeway, still no water in Farmington Bay and the Salt Lake until I get closer to the island. Guess I'll have to wait until next Spring for that to change.
Head down east side towards the Ranch. Not many animals to see this morning - I spot a sole bison in the vicinity of the watering container and 2 pronghorn just past the Frary Peak turn-off. Otherwise pretty quiet until I got near the Ranch. Big herd of bison off in the distance next to the mountains, another big herd off near what should be the edge of the water and another herd just south of the Ranch (near where I'm parking). There's a few bison straying from the "past the Ranch" herd but they certainly belong.
I get ready to start the trail and I hear a coyote howling to the north. I can't find him so I continue on the hike.
Not too far from the start, there's a small group of bison about 200 yards off the trail (one of the "past the Ranch" splinter herds). They were watching as I passed by.
I'm surprised to see butterflies out - lots of Clouded Sulphers and a few Checkered Whites. And a good number of the tiny Western Pygmy Blue. There are nectar sources: some yellow composites, a few small purple asters, and a yellow snapdragon-like flowers.
The trail is a road but I've never seen a car on it until today. A white State Parks truck coming. Not sure what they were doing on top (but I'm sure it was interesting).
The views are pretty incredible today -- first pretty clear day that I've seen here in quite a while. I get to the top with views of both sides of the island.
To the east:
To the west (southwest actually -- wanted the snowy peak)
There is a very snowy peak to the south (off the island). It stands out because none of the peaks on the island have snow nor do the peaks across the bay.
I don't stop at the picnic table because there's a group of folks using it. I just continue north along the crest and behind Sentry Peak enjoying the quiet and views.
As I pass behind the rocky outcropping of Sentry Peak, I hear a bunch of chatter and see lots of movement on the rocky outcropping. It's a flock of Chukkars!!
There's a least 40-50 of them. Most are moving south up along the rocks while others are going north. Lots of clucking, lots of movement - pretty fun to watch and listen to.
I continue along until its time to start heading downhill and give up the best view of both sides of the island.
On the way down, I see a few tiger beetles and grasshoppers. I also see a dragonfly.
I hear at least one coyote barking.
By the Ranch, the scattered bison have now all congregated by the shoreline.
On the drive back north, nothing much has changed. I find the 2 pronghorn and the solo bison.
The drive back across the causeway yields near perfect reflections as the water is dead still.
Great day!!
As a side note: yesterday I planted a bunch bulbs at home. A few hours later in the same spot, I noticed a Praying Mantis. My first one in UT.
Today I get home and the Praying Mantis is on my gutter next to my side door.
I love these things and looked forward to them in the Fall in the Midwest. Nice to see they live in UT as well.
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