Snow, Bison Plus Chukars on Antelope Island State Park

Snow on Antelope Island State Park, Utah –  Nikon D200, f8, 1/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 32mm, natural light

I went out to Antelope Island State Park today looking for birds to photograph, the light never really cooperated for bird photography but the island looked beautiful with its mountains lightly coated with snow. The highest peak in the photo above is called Frary Peak. There is a road going up about halfway to the top and a trail head from there, it is closed at times during the winter because it is a very steep grade, 23% if I recall correctly.

Resting Antelope Island Bison – Nikon D200, f8, 1/180, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 82mm, natural light, wild & free roaming

I did see some bison, black-tailed jackrabbits and one pronghorn buck running down a hill. The bison herd is managed by the park personnel but they roam freely. Once a year there is a round up to cull the herd. They are shipped to other locations or sold, to inoculate for prevention of diseases and to put ear tags on the bison.

When I first visited Antelope Island State Park I fell in love with its wild beauty, the windswept grasslands, pungent sagebrush, awesome views of the Great Salt Lake and the wildlife that abounds there. At that time I was living in Florida and just visiting Utah a couple times a year so I was also thrilled to see mountains again, those on the island and the 360 degree panorama around me. It is mesmerizing and I will later add more about the island under my Favorite Locations because it is also a great birding location.

Chukar on top of a rock –  Nikon D200, f5.6, 1/750, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

I did take a few images of birds, the Chukar above is one of them. I love to hear them clucking in the sagebrush. Soon it will be springtime and many more birds will flock to the island.

Even though I came away with only a few bird photographs I still enjoyed seeing the island again as I always do.

Mia