It was a slow start to the week on Sunday. We lounged around until about 11 am, then headed to the Ocean Springs Unit on this cold, windy day. Things continued to stay slow as far as critter finding. They obviously don't like this cold wind either.
We found some Ruby-crowned kinglets in the thickets right after entering the Seaman Road gate.
We thought we were going to get skunked finding Sandhill Cranes. We finally saw a pair. They flew across the road in front of us then went out in the savanna fussing at us for interrupting their day.
As we were leaving the unit, we had a beautiful Red-tailed hawk fly over.
The birding activity picked up when we returned to HQ. A pair of Blue Birds were fighting with the mirror on Madison's work truck.
We were greeted by Cedar Waxwings on our walk back home along Camp Crane Lane.
While waiting for Ferny Kat to enjoy some outdoor time, we watched a pair of Doves perched on a branch. It looks like there might have been a dispute, but I am sure they will be Lovie Dovie in no time.
We checked in the backyard late afternoon and found the HQ 5 snacking right before they flew to their roost.
As we were getting to work Monday morning, the HQ 5 gave us a good morning chirp as they flew over us while we were outside of the VC.
Nana, Coco, and their bud, 2002, showed up shortly after. They enjoyed the yellow gold in the feeder then went to their favorite spot. The corner of Crane Lane and the HQ savanna.
We had lots of inquiries about, "where are the Cranes," from the numerous people that were visiting the outside grounds. It was nice to point them out to them.
Lauren reassembled the FB Trail Counter. He soldered a broken wire, put all the pieces back together, and it worked.
Our attempts to get it to work on the trail, were not as successful. The motion detection was about half the distance that it should be. So back, to the work shop it goes.
We took the short cut back home through Browns Trail. We saw a Sharp-shinned Hawk and 3 Bald Eagles shortly after entering the gate.
Before we got to the slough at the Browns Trail, we saw a lone Sandhill Crane. He made chirping/weak call then flew away. It could be one of last years youngsters that has been kicked out for the upcoming nesting season.
We watched 3 Cranes at the Brown's Trail Pen. We attempted to ease back and turn around so not to disturb them That didn't work, they flew before we could turn around.
We saw a Bald Eagle, Great Blue Herons, and a Belted Kingfisher near Valentine Pond. The Kingfisher showed off his fishing skills, when he dove in and came up with a Crawfish. Quite impressive!
The Crane Circus performance was as exciting as ever in the Valentine Savanna. What a great way to spend Valentine's Day.
As an added bonus, the HQ 5 flew over Camp as they were heading to their roost for the night. Only one allowed a picture.
We did a few chores around the VC and did our 2 1/2 mile stroll along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane on Tuesday. We saw more dragonflies today than we have in quite a while. Maybe spring is on the way.
We had an invasion of Robins at Camp Crane today. There must have been 50 or more of them.
We didn't see a Crane until late afternoon, when the HQ 5 came in for a snack before roost time.
Wednesday, we got the FB Trail Counter up and working, although it's beam is not as effective as it once was. Beam me up Scotty, it is not. So we moved it closer to the trail.
We spent the afternoon, doing a few chores and walking the Dees Trail in the howling wind. We were glad to get back to the comforts of Camp Crane with a wind block.
Thursday, Ole MacGyver, aka Lauren, went to work on designing a deer deterrent for the corn feeders used on the refuge. Lauren came up with an idea to use the dough scrappers and screen mesh combination to keep the deer from devouring all the corn. We call them the Dough Boy Deer Stoppers, (until we are proven otherwise), The first prototype of the 5 feeders will be tested next week.
Friday morning, we rode home and got the mail on this windy, cold day. This afternoon, we made a quick pass through Gulf Islands National Seashore on our way to have and early dinner with Angie and the Loews at Woody's. We saw an Osprey eating his early dinner on our quick drive thru.
We got back, just in time to see the HQ5 and RH20 fly from the feeder heading for their roost for the night.
We wrapped up the week on Saturday with a ride thru the refuge to see the Crane Circus and to check out the Eagle nests.
We found several Great Blue Herons hanging around their nesting area in Valentine Pond. We should have some more Heron babies before long.
We saw a Bald Eagle hanging around Elbert's Pond.
We didn't see the first Crane at the South Gautier Unit. But we did watch Mom and Dad feed the Eaglets at G14. The Eaglets are growing by leaps and bounds waddling their way around in the nest.
A check on the G11 nest was not as exciting, we didn't see anything in or around the nest. Maybe next time.
We found Southern Butterworts starting to bloom down by the bayou near the Dees Trail.
We were entertained by the Blue Birds while sitting on the back porch at HQ then went to Camp Crane to hide from the wind.
