Birds, Bison, Antelope, and chugging on to Idaho

Tuesday, April 5

Before leaving Antelope Island, we took a short drive along the road toward the Garr Ranch sight to get a better look at bison we saw through our binoculars. First, though, we drove to the State Park Visitor's Center perched on a high rolling hill with a 360º view of grass- and brush-lands; majestic, snowy mountain peaks, and shallow, murky Salt Lake. On the way to the visitor's center, we spied a lone bull bison not far from either our campground or the center. I stopped here to take a panoramic video of the area, yet don't think digital photography did justice to the outstanding light here.

After viewing the bison, and getting a photo of Henry insisting on being in the photo with same bison (from the van), we turned around and headed back to the causeway, the man-made strip of land from Syracuse, the nearest town on the “mainland” to the island. Lots of shore birds were close to water's edge along this strip, yet we were only able to identify Coots, California Gulls in breeding plumage, American Avocets also in breeding plumage, a Harrier (formerly Marsh Hawk), Great Blue Herons, and White Pelicans.

So many more birds come through this area throughout the year, over 250 species. According to what we read in the park brochure, the Great Salt Lake is an important stop along the Pacific Flyway for migrating birds, because it is one of the most significant bodies of water available to sea birds. It's also a nesting area for many species.

Coming to the end of the causeway, we promised ourselves that we would come back this way again one day and spend more time when we do.

We shopped at Smith's Market in Syracuse, UT (another of the family of Kroger stores that accepts our Fred Meyer card), before leaving town. Disappointed in not finding GF bread, or rather the brand I prefer, and not finding a dedicated GF section, we purchased our coffees, donuts (Duffy) and yogurt (Pam), climbed aboard the van and headed north by northwest on I-84. 

Before long we crossed the border into Idaho, now the twelfth state to visit in our wanderings, and made the first rest area we came to our first stop. The only reason I mention the rest area is because the sign outside the building in this heavily-treed-with-Junipers-area indicates that this is a nesting area for Ferruginous Hawks, the largest North American hawk, and asked folks not to disturb nesting birds. Besides, these hawks are protected as are Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Another place worth being during nesting season. But, not now. We're on a b-line for home.

Lunch at Choate's Family Diner, gas at Jerome “Stinker” station, and here we are at Hagerman RV Village near the Snake River just west of Jerome. Snug as bugs in our Baby Beluga, here we'll spend the night. Tomorrow holds new adventures, or at least visits with friends along the way.

Until next time,

Pam