It was another great start to the week on this Sunday. We saw at least 30 Cranes along with 5 Bald Eagles, a Belted Kingfisher, a couple of Great Blue Herons, a couple of Great Egrets, a few deer, a Kestrel, and several other critters.
We made a quick stop to see the Rock Hill Family. They were foraging on the side of Gautier Vancleave Road watching traffic as it passed by.
We went on a quest to see if we could get a visual on Twister, the one Crane that was released from HQ that has not been seen since it left the pen. Unfortunately, no luck of finding the long, lost Crane.
After we flushed the family at the Browns Trail Crop Unit, we were welcomed with open wings by Banana and Coconut. They were unison calling as they flew in. After they found out we were not there to fill the feeder, they walked away looking quite disgusted.
When we approached the Browns Trail pen, we flushed 3 Cranes. Shortly after, we sighted a Bald Eagle flying over the savanna.
Then we rode to the end of Browns Trail and came back to the pen area, we saw a couple of Cranes flying toward the feeder. We decided to walk to the blind to see who was there. We found a few wasps in the blind, and Coconut and Banana feeding at the feeder. We walked back along the pen as the Crazy Birds feasted on the corn.
We got a look at a couple of immature Eagles near Valentine Pond, then went on our way toward the calling of the Cranes. We found 6 Cranes, 4 of them soaring high in the sky. The pair we saw was NV11 and 337, the 4 Cranes were Greater Sandhill Cranes.
We found an American Black Racer sunning in the ditch on our way to the end of the road.
21 Cranes later, and Southbound we went.
We saw a couple of Great Egrets, a Great Blue Heron, several Deer, an American Kestrel, and 4 more Sandhill Cranes before getting back to Camp.
We walked the Dees Trail, admiring Mist, as he hid across the bayou. We also admired the 4 Freebirds foraging outside of the pen from the Boss Blind.
We got our plant markers updated on the Dees Trail, did a few other chores, then relaxed at Camp.
Ferny Kat was in hunt mode when she came out this afternoon. She chased a squirrel up a tree and a Goose to the bayou. This is the same goose that walked down Crane Lane earlier today. Ferny Kat is on Fire!
We took the truck in for repairs Monday morning, then made a Sams run. We walked the Dees Trail and Crane Lane when we returned. There was not much going on with the critter world today. We didn't take the first picture after lugging the camera around for 2 1/2 miles. We grilled early afternoon and was in before the rain started.
On a happy note, Mist has joined the cohorts at HQ and Twister has been spotted in the North Gautier Unit. As the Crane World Turns!!
We had early morning rain that turned into a cloudy day on Tuesday. We got our 2 1/2 mile walk in along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane, then ran some errands. Before we left, we saw the 5 Audubon Cohorts outside of the pen hanging with a couple of unbanded Cranes.
When we returned, the 5 Cohorts were foraging in the back yard of the visitor center.
We went to the dumpster this afternoon and saw the cranes flying above the savanna. Such a beautiful sight to see on this dreary afternoon.
Wednesday started out foggy and rainy. We managed to get our walk in along Crane Lane in between showers. Finally, the afternoon cleared up and we got the Dees Trail walk in and blew off debris from the pavement.
We had the Unbanded pair eating at the feeder near the pen this morning.
We were pleasantly surprised to find a Southern Coastal Violet blooming on the Dees Trail.
The Freebirds finally made an appearance late afternoon.
As we were drinking our coffee Thursday morning, we heard the peeps of the Freebirds. They flew down the bayou and back. What a great way to start the day!
We had a delay going through the tunnel as we were headed to Bon Secour. The accident must have happened right about the time we were entering. We had to hug the wall to allow the emergency vehicles to come through. It was way too crowded!
We placed brochures and picked up litter at the Bon Secour kiosk this morning. This afternoon, Jackie and Lauren, the new temp boss, gave us a course on beach driving 101. The number 1 rule is not to get stuck. Lauren had them a little bit concerned when he told them he was a rule breaker. Luckily, no one got stuck.
We drove along the beach, picking up the bagged trash that volunteers had picked up and then some. All the while, listening to the roar of the sea and watching people, birds, and dolphins. One of the prettiest places we've ever picked up trash.
On our way back to Camp Crane, we were stalled again for an accident on I10 west of Mobile. We made it home safe and sound about dark thirty. Another 10-hour day, but another good one.
Friday morning we had deer grazing at Camp Crane.
There were 9 Cranes in the savanna as well. The Free Birds have made some friends.
We cleaned up the SUV then went to Fontainebleau Trail to place brochures and pick up litter. We took the shortcut through Browns Trail on the way back. When we got to Valentine Pond, there were cranes flying everywhere. There were 10 on the North side of the pond and another 10 or so on the south side of the pond. We must have snuck up them on this windy day. We sure did disrupt the crane world.
We saw another 5 in the East Valentine savanna that also flushed.
We topped off the shortcut ride with a Bald Eagle flyover.
There were 7 Cranes near the pen Saturday morning. The 2 Unbanded were keeping the Free Birds away from the feeder.
We went on a quest to see if we could find the eagles nesting. Mission accomplished for the Beasley Pair. One was sitting on the nest as her mate flew in for a short visit then flew to a nearby tree.
The nest at the I10 Crop Unit was still empty. Maybe they will be back soon.
We saw 4 Eagles, a Kingfisher, A Kestrel, and 19 Cranes before heading back to camp. Ferny Kat was ready for some outdoor time when we got back. We sat outside until the temps began to drop.
