A Red-headed woodpecker was hanging out on the Dees Trail. It sure did look pretty on this drab day.
Another pretty that we saw was lots of Rose Pagonias near the pier. What a difference a day makes in the bloom world.
We did some engineering on the crane feeders to try and outsmart the deer from eating so much corn. A couple of new prototypes will be tested in the field this week.
We sat outside for a bit until the wind irritated us enough to send us inside for the evening.
Monday morning we did a bit of nature chasing along Crane Lane, the Fire Center, and the Dees Trail.
We found our first of the year Pale Grasspink on the Dees Trail. Yesterday, we saw the Rose Pagonia, today we saw Pale Grasspinks. The orchid blooming season has finally begun on the trail.
We had a crane flyover while walking back to camp.
We got lucky when we went to check on the Rock Hill Family and watched the twins taking a bath. So stinking cute! The pictures do not do it justice.
We were entertained during our picnic lunch at Camp Crane watching a couple of Hummingbirds battle over the feeder.
The nature chasing continued with a second walk along Crane Lane and the Dees Trail then arm chair birding at Camp Crane.
Tuesday we went with Scott and the Interns nest searching. We only found one of the three nests we looked for. 
Two of the savannas had not been burned in the last few years and gave us quite a workout trying to maneuver through the smilax. After I finally made it out of the first one, I opted out on the second one.
While we were out, we checked on the hatched nest at Sullivan Pond. We saw the parents fly off, but never found the chicks. Oh well, the better they are at hiding, the better their chance of surviving.
We spent Tuesday and Wednesday night looking at a great view at Island View. We didn't win any money, but had a great time.
Thursday we got back to work just in time for trail day. When we left the HQ some cranes were hanging in the backyard.
It was another 60 miles of driving and almost 5 miles of walking. We can think of more purposeful things to do, but it was a nice day to be out nature chasing.
While we were out, we saw a nude dude sunbathing near the Escawtawpa Trail parking area. Not quite the nature we wanted to see.
While we were walking the Dees Trail, a robber fly landed on my shirt. Lauren took a quick picture before it flew. That robber fly (Machimus blantoni) is the first recorded sighting in Mississippi, a state record. What some think are insignificant observations, others think are awesome. The little things in life!
This afternoon the HQ bunch were quite vocal hanging out on Crane Lane.
Friday, was visitor center day.
After work, we enjoyed birding from the comforts of our chairs at at Camp Crane.
Our Camp Crane birding was interrupted when we heard the elusive calls of the cranes. We found Sylph, Yoshi, Link, and Mist hanging out on Crane Lane. After they walked out in the grass, they continued their calling then started jumping, bowing, and throwing grass. These guys got some moves! Dougie wannabees!!!
A Speckled Kingsnake was crossing Camp Crane Lane on our way in the work on Saturday.
Sylph was feeding at the feeder when we opened the visitor center. She is such a loner.
The April sightings list, The next day the visitor center is open will be May 2nd.
After work we headed to Crossroads for a few days.
