Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - 9-4-22 - 9-10-22

We were absolutely lazy Sunday.  We didn't unlock the door of the camper until 4:30 p.m.  When we did, we were pleasantly surprised that the temperature was not as hot as usual.  We enjoyed sitting outside watching the many birds hanging around then called it a day.

Sunday Pics:

We did a little bit of work on this Monday, Labor Day, getting the a/c unit framed up in the RV Hut.  The rest of the day was laid back with a little bit of nature chasing at the campground and grilling some ribs.

Monday Pics:

We got the mowing extravaganza going again Tuesday morning.  We mowed at Camp Secour, the Jeff Friend House, and the Nunley Bunkhouse.  We spent the afternoon picking up a little bit of litter at the trailheads then walked the fire lane behind the South Quonset Hut.  We found a few plants of interest, but not much more.  We had an evening of watching the Doves that have homesteaded with us at the campground.

Tuesday Pics:

We piddled around Wednesday getting all kinds of little chores done.  It always takes us longer to find the stuff we need to do the job than the actual job.  Afterwards, we just chilled out at Camp Secour.

Lauren and I read the safety manual while manning the visitor center on Thursday.  We had 9 visitors and issued 3 America The Beautiful Passes.  It was one of the busiest days of working in the Bon Secour Visitor Center since we started here.

We also got a few photos of pollinators in the native plant garden.

Lauren took a stroll and got some lucky shots of birds and a mullet jumping.

Afterwards, we had an early dinner at Lambert's.  It has been a long time since we ate there.  The food was better than we remembered.  A very cool place to eat.

Thursday Pics:

We went looking for and found Coastalplain Honeycombhead, Balduina angustifolias,  Friday morning.  This is the plant that attracts the gulf coast solitary bees when it is in full bloom.  We found about 20 plants in one patch.  One of which was beginning to bloom, also called pre-anthesis.  We also found a lot of other cool plants and insects.  Our search was done when the rain started.

We made a stop at the Pine Beach Trail Observation Tower on our way back.  We saw a flock of Snowy Egrets and Little Blue Herons.

  

We finally got a picture of the Belted Kingfisher that we have been seeing there.

On our drive out, we got a picture of  a Chicken Turtle that was walking along the road. 

 

We saw a Great Blue Heron hanging in the tall grass along Mobile Street.  This rainy afternoon had a few critters out and about.

Friday Pics:

As we were packing up Saturday morning before heading home, we had a major malfunction with the septic system.  We packed up and pulled Rap to Crossroads until we can get her repaired.  

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - 8-28-22 - 9-3-22

Nick and Anita came over Sunday morning.  Nick was looking for a utility trailer and we just happened to have what he wanted.  After lunch and much procrastination, Lauren got zenned up and mowed the yard.  He bogged down twice, but got most of it cut.  

Lauren woke me up at 7 am Monday morning for lab work.  We were at the lab by 7:30 am.  I was moving mighty slow until after my coffee.  Let's just say, I am not a morning person.

We headed to New Orleans around 11:30 am for our appointments to get a PIV card so we can have computer access at the refuges.  Our appointments were at 3:30 and 4:00 pm.  We went early to find the place.  I told Lauren it would be nice if we got there and they told us to come on in.  He assured me it was not going to happen.  I told him that it doesn't hurt to wish.  We arrived at 12:30 pm and talked to the security guard and went right on in, had our photos and fingerprints taken and was out of there by 1 pm.  The lady that took care of us was glad we showed up early, and so were we. Of course, I rubbed it in and told Lauren my wish had come true. 

After our appointment, we enjoyed our walk along the boardwalk at Bayou Savage.  It was ironic that we were reading about the devastation that was caused by Hurricane Katrina on the information kiosk on the 17th anniversary of this storm.  We found all kinds of cool plants and a few critters. We made a stop at the Marsh Unit and the boat ramp then headed North.

We made a quick drive through the Bogue Chitto NWR seeing a couple of gators, then homebound we went.

Monday Pics:

We stopped and had a chat with the Sandhill Crane gang on our way back to Bon Secour.  We checked out the Pine Lilies and the Blue Flower Eryngo that were growing near the bayou.

We stopped for a bite to eat at the Fusion Buffet in Pascagoula then hitched a ride on the ferry.  We got back, unpacked and scrubbed those nasty love bugs off of the truck.  We sat outside until a thunderstorm ran us in.

Tuesday Pics:  

After being at Bon Secour for 31 days, we finally made time for a fun work day.  Wednesday, we loaded up the Kubota and headed for beach trash patrol.  We unloaded at Fort Morgan and rode on the beach picking up litter while watching shorebirds, dolphins, and ghost crabs.  A very enjoyable view.

Mobile Street Beach was our second destination.  Unfortunately, the dang biting flies were vicious.  They swarmed us biting through our clothes and even our shoes.  On a happy note, we saw dolphins, shorebirds, crabs, and a couple of Bald Eagles.  This is the first time we have seen eagles in a while.

  

The afternoon, was spent relaxing at Camp Secour.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday, I worked in the visitor center while Lauren did a few chores.  The only 2 visitors that I had arrived shortly after I opened.  It was another long day. 

Friday, we got back on the mowing extravaganza.  Afterwards we went to the Pine Beach Trail to sweep the vault toilet.  When we entered the gate, there were all kinds of birds flitting around.  We stopped and took a few pics, even though they were not real cooperative.

We replaced the plexiglass at the Gator Trail kiosk then went home and got our third shower of the day.  Dang Hot Weather!

Friday Pics:

Saturday morning we enjoyed a stroll on the Jeff Friend Trail.  Shortly after we got back in the truck, the rain started.

  

We did a little bit of shopping then stopped for linner at Tacky Jacks.  We had a waterfront view of the Intercoastal Waterway.  We watched gulls, a Great Blue Heron, and water traffic while the rain continued.  The rain finally stopped when we got back to camp.

Saturday Pics: