MSCNWR - 7-18-21 - 7-24-21

We took a ride to the Ocean Springs unit on Sunday.  We cut some limbs at the gates and along the road and picked up trash until the rain started.  We saw a couple of Cranes and a lot of pretties along the way.

Sunday Pics:

We were pleasantly surprised when we went to Fontainebleau Trail to pick up trash Monday, and there wasn't very much litter to pick up.  First time ever!!  We tried out the new Billy Goat blower.  That thing is fantastic!!  It sure beats toting that back pack blower.

We were going to blow off the road but decided to stay close to camp with the rumbling going on.  We got started clearing the trees around the clothesline and the shed.  Lauren used Jeff's pole saw, which is something he swore he was never going to use.  Never say never.

When we got to the trees near the shed, we couldn't pull the cut limbs out because they were wrapped up in the massive Muscadine vines.  Not a problem, Lauren pulled them out with the Kubota.  Tarzan could swing on these strong vines 🦁.

Monday Pics:

We were slackers on Tuesday.  We leisurely took a stroll around the Dees Trail.  We met Scott at the HQ pen and gave input on repairing the fence that was damaged by last year's hurricane.

Tuesday Pics:

Ferny Kat was insistent early Wednesday morning for us to get out of bed.  We tried our best to ignore her, but eventually she won.

We finished cutting and clearing the trees near the shed at Camp Crane.  The middle camp sites now have a great view of the boat launch. 

 

We went to check on the Black-swallow tail butterfly rookery in the South Gautier Unit.  We found lots of caterpillars and chrysalis.  Some of the caterpillars were starting the chrysalis process. We will be back soon to see if we can find emerging butterflies.

Wednesday Pics: 

Thursday, we finished pressure washing and bleaching the DGF tanks.  DGF 2021 season is a wrap!!

Friday was a slow day for us.  We leisurely strolled along the Dees Trail placing a few more plant markers.  

Lauren has been trying to get a picture of the Bullfrog that resides in the ditch along Crane Lane.  He finally managed to get a picture.

 

The rest of the day we spent inside and staying cool.  We have had way too much heat this week.

Friday Pics:

We got in a couple of miles Saturday morning, walking the Dees Trail and Crane Lane.  It was another enjoyable walk looking at all the pretty flowers and such.

Lauren found a juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker while waiting on me to go for our walk.

He also found a huge Southern Toad in the plant garden.

Saturday Pics:

 

MSCNWR - 7-11-21 - 7-17-21

We made it back to camp on Monday.  We had a couple of afternoon showers, then the had a pretty afternoon watching a few birds at the feeders. 

 Monday Pics:

We pressure washed the building on Tuesday.  It took us all day, but we are finished with it. 

When we got back to camp, a Black Runner was in the yard.

I experimented with my Air Fryer this afternoon and made a delicious Eggplant Parmesan.

We have several Hummingbirds competing at the feeder.  One happened to drink just at the right time for some pretty reflections on her from the light coming through the feeder.

 

 Tuesday Pics: 

Wednesday we got the grass mowed at HQ, Dees Trail, and Camp Crane.  We took a much needed run to Sams to restock.  After we returned, we finagled a protector for the Alabama red-bellied cooter nest.  I hope those critters make it.

Wednesday Pics:

We went to the Pascagoula River Basin Alliance meeting as guest of Mark LaSalle on Thursday.  We learned a lot about the river.  One of the things we learned is, it is the only free flowing river in the lower 48 (It has not been dammed).  We took a walk on the Judy Toups Trail afterwards with Mark and Colt.  Colt works for the management area and is moving to Old River Management Area.  He is going to be a distant neighbor of ours.  

Mark and Colt are another fascinating duo to watch in the woods.  Mark is more focused on plants while Colt is more focused on mushrooms and critters.  We always enjoy being in the company of other nature enthusiasts. 

We stopped on the way home and took pictures of a couple of Broad-winged Hawks.

Thursday Pics:

We helped Erin wash up the DGF tanks on Friday.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not cooperate.  After several thunderstorm delays, we got 6 of the 25 done.

The heavy rain showers did not bother the web footed Goose family.

After looking at the weather forecast, we decided to go home this afternoon and mow some grass.  We were greeted by a Kingsnake when we got home.  He was homesteaded on the washing machine.  After many efforts to get him to leave, he finally wrapped around a handle that Lauren was using to persuade him to leave.  Lauren relocated him to the woods. Hopefully, he will not be back.

We managed to mow the grass that was too wet to mow last weekend and pick up some of it.  Lauren and I both were soaking wet by the time we finished.

Friday Pics:

We woke up to sunshine Saturday morning.  We didn't have to rush home yesterday and mow grass after all.  Not a problem, we lounged around until about 1ish and headed back to Camp Crane.

We took a stroll along the Dees Trail and place a few more markers on the seasonal plant blooms while enjoying the peace and quiet of the nature surrounding us.

Saturday Pics:

MSCNWR - 7-4-21 - 7-10-21

We had a great 4th of July.  We started the day with a slow stroll on the Dees Trail enjoying the beauty of the wildflowers and critters along the way.

We took a ride to check out the Arthur Street Property.  They have really improved the property since we helped with the iNaturalist bioblitz a few years ago. Again we saw pretty blooms and several different species of cute critters.

We rode to Pascagoula Beach, then back home for a nice evening of critter watching and grilling ribs.  Ferny Kat also enjoyed her evening outside bathing in the water drippings from the a/c runoff.  Life is good!

Sunday Pics:

We did a lot of gardening on this Monday morning.  We pulled grass and Crepe Myrtle sprouts from the native plant garden.  I don't know which one of these deep rooted plants that I dislike the most.  We transplanted a few plants in hopes of having some summer color.  We turned on the sprinkler system which resulted in a sprinkler scavenger hunt.  Most of them were covered with grass and could not come up to spray water.  We were supervised today by this Eastern narrow-mouthed toad.

We took an afternoon ride to the North Gautier Unit.  Delores and his mate had their colt quickly hide in the tall grass, which is a good for his survival.

We saw a Black-swallow tailed caterpillar, a Belted Kingfisher, lots of Purple Martins, and lots of other pretties along Valentine Road.

We also found our first Orange-fringed orchid of this year. 

 We saw Banana and Coconut at their usual hangout at the Browns Trail Crop Unit on our way out.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday was a rainy day.  Ferny Kat was insistent about going outside while it was raining.  Once the rain stopped and we went out, she was no longer interested.   That dang cat!  After we ate dinner, we took a stroll.  The plants we transplanted yesterday were looking spiffy with the soaking rain they received.  We meandered around the Dees Trail enjoying our nice, quiet walk.

Tuesday Pics: 

We spent the day pressure washing Wednesday.  We now have about 2/3rd's of the front of HQ building done.  We got as wet as the building, especially when it started raining.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday, we continued our quest to pressure wash the building.  We finished the front and got about a 1/3rd of the back done.  It is slowly, but surely, getting done.

Thursday Pics:

We took the day off from pressure washing Friday.  We took some brochures to Ocean Springs Visitor Center.  On our way, we saw a couple of cranes in the powerline on Hwy 57.

  

We picked up a bucket and a half of litter at the Fontainebleu Trail. 

We checked on the Rock Hill family and all is well.

While picking up litter at the Dees Trail we saw several pretty butterflies enjoying the Frog-fruit plants.

 

We also picked up litter at the South Gautier Unit. We found lots of Black-swallow tailed Caterpillars on the Water Cowbane that line the roads of this unit and lots of pretty plants, including Scaly Blazing Star and Stokes Aster.

A check on the Valentine Pond Rookery, we found all is well with the Great Blue Heron nestlings. 

 

We also think that one of the nest is a Great Egret nest, although it is hard to see.

We sighted Banana and Coconut at their usual hangout.

Friday Pics:

We stayed around Saturday morning to help the Loews with the bookstore inventory.   Lauren got a little bit of camera time in before we headed home with the hopes of mowing the grass.  It won't happen today in this water soaked yard.  Rain, rain please go away, at least for a few days.

Saturday Pics: