We spent the day recovering from the Cotton Graduation Celebration.
Monday
Lauren weedeated the ditch this morning, I went for a haircut. After lunch, we headed back to Camp Refuge. We had a light rain shower this afternoon after walking the CL Dees trail.
Tuesday
We watched twin fawns walking around as we drank our coffee this morning. They are getting pretty brave and coming closer and closer to the camper to graze.
We walked the CL Dees trail this morning. We found a few baby mockingbirds just learning to fly. I realize now, why the parents were so aggressive last week.
After lunch, we went shore bird watching. We stopped at several spots on the beach in Gulfport and Biloxi, then made a quick drive around Gulf Island National Seashore.
The most impressive birds were on the beach across from the Coliseum. According to the Audubon Volunteer that was watching the birds, there were approximately 600 least terns and a bunch of black skimmers in the protective nesting area with about 300 nest. The least terns will migrate back to South America with their young in August.
We took Highway 57 back to Camp and saw the Sunplex Crane forging in the grass.
Pictures from the beach day:
Wednesday
All the volunteers and Melissa met at Aztecas Mexican Restaurant for a farewell luncheon for Carole and Roger. Carole and Roger will start home to Indiana tomorrow. We have had some really great times with them in the short time we have known them. We will definitely keep in touch with our friends.
Thursday
Lauren, Pat, and I worked the VC today. A quiet day except for the Power Company People trying out a prototype trail app for kids.
It was a really quiet evening, all alone, at Camp Refuge, miss you Roger and Carole.
Friday
Lauren and I went to Grand Bay and took a boat tour with the phenology group. We arrived at 9 am for the 10 am meet up at the Grand Bay VC. We had an hour to kill, so we walked the board walk for what we thought would be a leisurely stroll. The yellow flies were in attack mode. We swatted our way to the end and back and took a few pictures of the Osprey. We've got to remember to bring bug spray.
We traveled in two boats out to Heron Bay. Margo and Dennis were our boat captains. We rode in the boat with Margo. It was a nice, leisurely ride until the rain begin to get close which changed our direction.
On our way back, we stopped at an oyster bed that was built by the Indians, then walked to the salt flat. We weren't quite prepared for a walk through the marshy waters in our newest tennis shoes, but hey they will dry.
After our boat trip, we walked the boardwalk at the VC and got a hands on demonstration of the phenology web site from Gail and Sue.
It was a great day of meeting some nice folks, watching birds, finding new plants and flowers, and being outside. Not every day, our office is in a boat.
Pictures from the day:
Saturday
We saw a couple of Sandhill Cranes fly over the bayou last night at Camp Refuge. On our walk to work, we could hear some calling in the nearby savanna. Lauren went to look for them, he never saw them until they flew off when a car drove by. It would be nice if they would frequent the headquarters for our utmost admiration.
It was a good pace of people visiting today. A group from a church retreat in Biloxi came bearing home made cupcakes. There went my plan to eat healthier today. They were worth the change of plans.
We waited until after 6 pm to walk the trail. We were a little bit shaken, when a nighthawk that was chirping, all the sudden dove down, then made a strange fluttering noise with his wings. The fluttering sound reminded me of the sound that an 18 wheeler makes when he uses his jake brakes. A really neat thing to watch.
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