Antelope Island, New Life Bird and More

Serendipity, I came to Antelope Island to look for an Oven Bird and White-throated Sparrow that were reported this last week. I did not find those target birds but was thrilled to see my first ever Flammulated Owl thanks to photographer Jack Binch. I had added the Flammulated Owl to my life list a few years ago because on an "Owl Prowl" during the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival a few years ago we did hear one. Now I feel much better about it on my list because now I have actually seen one. Thanks Jack for pointing it out to me. Certainly the highlight of the day.

American Avocets at the Causeway 

Ring-billed Gulls 

Ring-billed Gulls dining at the causeway.

California Gull a Brine Fly feast

Common Raven

Western Meadowlark 

Burrowing Owls
Just before seeing these Burrowing Owls I stopped at the Visitors Center to look for Rock Wrens that are always on the rocks at the rear of the Visitors Center. While changing my lenses I dropped my 300 zoom. It still focuses and take pictures however it will not zoom. so the pictures on this post from here on were taken at 75mm. Guess I better saving my pennies for a new lens. 

Bison were plentiful today

This Coyote was kind enough to pose for me and stay close so I could get several pictures before he had had enough and took off.

I saw several Coyotes today but only this one was close enough to photograph.

Sunflowers and Rabbitbrush were beautiful

Red-tailed Hawk just one of many I saw on the road to the ranch

Another Red-tail

This group of cows and calves took their sweet time crossing the road and I didn't rush them.

I took this though my windshield 

White-crowned Sparrows were abundant over the whole island but I never did see the White-throated Sparrow

Another shot of the Flammulated Owl

Pronghorn Family

Hermit Thrush were everywhere at the Ranch

Pronghorn Doe

Pronghorn and her sister wives

Eared Grebes the one in the center still showing a lot of breeding plumage

Here is a list of birds and more seen today
American Avocet
Black-necked Stilt
California Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Northern Shoveler
Eared Grebe
Brewer's Blackbird
Barn Swallow
Common Raven
Franklin's Gull
Western Meadow Lark
Loggerhead Shrike
Rock Wren
Black-billed Magpie
Burrowing Owl
Red-tailed Hawk
Wilson's Warbler
Cassin's Vireo
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Hermit Thrush
Northern Flicker
Oregon Dark-eyed Junco
Empid Flycatchers
Yellow-rumped Warbler
American Redstart
Western Sandpipers and other Peeps, I forgot my scope so today they were just peeps
Long-billed Curlew
California Quail
Other animals
Pronghorn
Bison
Coyote