Crane Ranch - 1-1-23 - 1-7-23

It seems like yesterday, that we started 2022.  Boom, just like that, a New Year is upon us.  The first day of 2023 was awesome.

Six of the HQ gang were in the backyard of HQ when we left on our first 2023 refuge tour.

We didn't see the first Sandhill Crane in the South Gautier Unit.  Not a big deal, when you see a whole bunch of other birds.

We saw about a dozen Sandhill Cranes on the North Gautier Unit, along with a bunch of other cool stuff.

We got back and took a walk along Crane Lane.  The HQ gang was not impressed with a couple that were playing bird calls attempting to call them up as they were heading to the feeder.  The gang stopped in the savanna and waited for them to leave before chomping on their yellow gold in the backyard. 

This was followed by a family with a couple of dogs. The dogs were very obedient and sat on the sidewalk.  Four of the 2021 cohort group came closer than we thought they would and raised quite a ruckus.  The dogs remained calm, and the cranes went back to foraging.   These cranes truly think they own this place.

After our walk along Crane Lane, we hung it up and did a little bit of armchair birding at Camp Crane.

Happy New Year!!!

We took a trip to Crossroads on Monday to check on things, get the mail, and get rid of the Christmas decorations.  We took a side trip on the way back and ate lunch at Sicily's Pizza.  We haven't eaten there since the pandemic.  It was just as good as it used to be.

After we returned, we took a walk along the Dees Trail.  We were amused by the Chipping Sparrows taking a bath in a water puddle.

While doing some armchair birding at Camp Crane, a Doe and her two fawns paid a visit.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday was the Christmas Bird Count for Jackson County.  Scott was unable to participate, so we got to wing it with 8 other avid birders.  We had a great day, except for the wind and the cloudy conditions.  Oh well, it was better than the thunderstorms that were predicted.

One of the coolest finds was a Yellow-rail that we jumped up, not once, not twice, but three times.  It is a rarity to see one of these secretive birds.   

We spotted 5 Hooded Mergansers swimming around in Elbert's Pond. 

 

Afterwards, we got a hot shower and rested up.  We were wore out from spending the day tromping around in the savanna.

Christmas Bird Count  

Wednesday, we had one person on our refuge tour.  She commented many times about how lucky she was, getting a private tour of the refuge.  After all, who wouldn't like their own private tour.  

We saw 10 cranes at HQ then 12 more.  An awesome day.

We also saw a lot of other species of birds along with the cool landscape that they are attracted to.  A spectacular tour!

The Beasley Eagle was moving about in the nest.  Hopefully, this means that the little ones have hatched.

We spent the afternoon putting together a couple of office chairs for the refuge.  One of them was way too relaxing.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday, we did several little chores around the refuge.  We finally took the time to open and check out the new signs for Escatawpa and Oak Grove Trails.

We spent some time looking at the Eagle's nest when we went to South Gautier to fix a feeder that a critter had tried to destroy.  We didn't see any youngsters, but the parent Eagle kept a keen eye on us.

We found Pineland Daisies and White Screw Stems when we walked the Dees Trail.  It is such a welcome sight to finally see some fresh blooms.

We viewed the photos that Theresa's family printed for the bunkhouse.  They are fantastic.  

Thursday Pics:

Friday morning, the Crane Gang was hanging around the visitor center.  They were very fun to watch, flapping their wings and jumping about. 

 

We got a few morning errands done, then walked the Fontainebleau Trail.  We didn't see much wildlife, just a couple of gators and a butterfly.

We took the short cut back from Brown's Trail.  We saw several cranes, an Eagle, a hungry Kestrel, and a Phoebe. 

 

We relaxed at Camp Crane when we returned.  The Crane Gang made their usual chirping noise as they as they flew above the bayou heading to their roost.

Friday Pics:

Saturday, we worked in the visitor center.  We had 93 visitors.  Needless to say, we didn't take the first picture.  After we closed, we met Anita at Island View.  As usual, we had a great time.

Crane Ranch - 12-25-22 - 12-31-22

It was a great start to the week on this cold Christmas Day.  This year's cohort group was hanging around HQ when we headed out for a refuge tour.

We usually turn off the radio when we are touring around.  Not today.  We listened to Christmas Carols, and maybe sang a few while we were out and about.

We may not have had a White Christmas, but we did have white feathers floating in the icy Elbert's Pond.

We had a great tour of the Gautier Units with lots of Sandhill sightings, along with some other critters.  Nothing like Christmas, Cranes, and Critters.

Late afternoon, Barnie was barking and the Cranes were calling.  We found the HQ 10 scattered under the oaks and at the feeder.  The Cranes were calling, jumping, throwing sticks and Spanish moss up in the air in response to the barking.  The mistletoe that had fallen out of the oak tree added some Christmas decor.

We had a total of 35 Sandhill Crane sightings.  Not only has it been a Sunday Fun-day, but a great Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas:

We took Monday off to go to Clyde's son's funeral in Raleigh. When we returned, the HQ 10 were foraging in the back yard.

 

Monday Pics: 

Tuesday, was back to work day.  We went on a mission to repair a handle on a blind at Woodlake.  We took a wrong turn and winded up rerouting through the Ocean Springs Unit.  It was a very enjoyable ride seeing 7 cranes, a few deer, and other critters.

We took the scenic route back home through Browns Trail.  We saw bunches of cranes, an Eagle, and some other critters. 

This afternoon, we cleaned up the feeder and the water bucket at HQ.  As we were leaving the parking lot, the HQ 10 flew over and landed by the pen.  After a bit, they came sashaying through the grass to the backyard.  They thoroughly enjoyed the easy pickens of the corn that had spilled out on the ground.  We watched them from the road with a lot of nice folks, before calling it a day.

Tuesday Pics:

We had another great Crane Tour on Wednesday.  We were supposed to have 6 people, only 4 showed up. The 2 that missed the tour missed out.  We had 21 Sandhill Crane sightings while driving around.  Plus the 9 cranes that were present when we opened the visitor center.  A 30-crane day!

Sometimes, we have to think of things to talk about while we are riding around, but not on this 2-hour tour.  The folks were very engaging.  

After the tour we did a few measly chores for the refuge, hiked the Dees Trail, then called it a day.  Another great day at the Sandhill Crane Ranch. 

Wednesday Pics:

While riding around the North Gautier Unit evaluating refuge boundary signs for replacement, we saw a bunch of cranes.  They were having a good ole time jumping around in the savanna.

We also saw a juvenile and adult Bald Eagle hanging around Valentine Pond.

The HQ gang was hanging around HQ again today.  They are so entertaining to watch.

Thursday Pics:

Friday was a rainy day.  For our entertainment, we watched the cranes from inside the visitor center.  It looked like a lake in the backyard.  They didn't seem to mind.  They continued with their usual foraging and chasing each other in the downpours.  The only thing that startled them was when it thundered.

 Friday Pics:

Saturday, we worked in the visitor center until noon.  Although, it doesn't feel like work when you have nice folks to talk to and 10 cranes to watch outside the back door.  

After we closed, we took a stroll along the Dees Trail.  Our plans to build a campfire changed when it started to rain.  Not a problem, we pulled out the awning and enjoyed a fire by the  propane firepit.  The last day of 2022 has been great!

Saturday Pics: