March 3 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

 Happy Birthday to me! 61 years old - time sure flies!

Taking the day off and heading up to Antelope Island. Left later than normal due to lingering rain but the weather says Antelope Island has sun, unlike the Salt Lake Valley so here's hoping.

On the drive north, yes the skies are clearing - yea!

I arrive at the gate around 9am to mostly sunny skies for the northern quarter of the Island.

I'm surprised to see a Bald Eagle on the Salt Lake!! I thought they be gone as it's March.


And another Bald Eagle a bit further down the road. And he's closer to the road which is sweet.

I decide to go around the northern part of the Island to get a view of where that big bison herd is and as I reach the parking lot on the northwest end, I see Bald Eagle #3 perched on some rocks. Awesome!!

The area behind the VC is void of critter but the campground, there are a number of them most at the Camp Hosts cabin.

It doesn't look like there are bison where I'm heading so I head for the Gravel Pit's TH.

I'm the only one at this point. It's 43 degrees and pretty calm. Off I go!

More Bisquitroot bloom but still low to the ground.

I'm out of the Pit and I do not see any bison along my route (yea!) as the herd has moved to the White Rock Trail. No worries for me.

Quiet hike in and out of the sun.

Soon I reach Beacon Hill and as I head around it, I hear Chukkars. Takes me awhile but I do find one and he's the one making all the noise on top of Beacon Hill.

I reach the trail up the hill. Again very quiet; no hiding bison or antelope this morning.

I reach the end point and stop to listen to all the birds chirping this morning. 

Time to head back to the car.

Nothing to note on the way back across the causeway.

Awesome day!

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