MSCNWR - 11-14-21 - 11-20-21

Sunday, was our fun day.  Before departing the refuge, we had NV11, 337, Banana, and Coconut foraging in the back yard.

We went to both Gautier Units and to the Ocean Springs Unit.  We were hoping to find Eagles getting ready to nest.  We only found one subadult Eagle hanging around Ben Williams Pen.

We also saw a lot of deer, a Loggerhead Shrike, a couple of  American Kestrels, a Belted Kingfisher and 21 Sandhill Cranes.

We had our first sighting of the Scaly-breasted Munia while eating our picnic lunch at Blue Hole. 

                                      

When we got back, NV11 and 337 were no where to be seen, but Nana and Coco were still hanging around HQ.  We were surprised that there were still here, with all the people walking the Dees Trail.  These beautiful days, sure have a lot of people out and about.

We wrapped up the day, with a nice campfire. 

Sunday Pics:

After a walk along the Dees Trail, we went to work Monday morning, getting the mowing done.  I was quite impressed that I was the boss on this monster mower.  I am a lot more relaxed than a few months ago when I started mowing.  I was really laid back, mowing around the obstacles, and getting the grass cut.  All of this while Nana and Coco supervised.

This afternoon, we did a Time Budget for HQ.  It took a lot longer than expected, when half of the Cranes went out of sight in the pond.  A couple of hours later, and we are enjoying our campfire at Camp Crane.

Monday Pics:

We got our trail walk in before going to work on Tuesday morning.  We got the weed-eating done then blew off the grass and straw from the sidewalk and pavement.  At least what we could get done with the people that were here.  After work, we had a nice campfire.  Nana and Coco did not make an appearance today.  We sure did miss them.

Tuesday Pics:

It was another no show for Nana and Coco on Wednesday.  We took a ride to the FB Pen to watch the release of the White Oak Cranes. The blind was infested with wasps again, so we had to watch from the ground.

After opening the gate in the pen, Scott walked outside the pen, which made the Cranes move toward the gate.  They stepped out of the gate and went exploring in the pen.

They really enjoyed the pond.  They must have missed taking a bath, because they all got in and splish splashed in the water.  This is the same pond that we dipped in a few years ago, to cool off when working on this pen.   After they all got clean, they went airborne and flew out of the pen.  Their first flight of freedom was awesome, adding another 5 Cranes to the refuge population.

While picking up litter at the FB Trail, we found Ghost Pipes.  Such a cool plant.

Wednesday Pics:

White Oak Crane Release

Thursday morning, we enjoyed shore birding at Mars Pier.  This afternoon, we helped Biology catch 2 of the captive reared cranes in the HQ pen to replace their trackers.  It went a lot smoother than we expected.  We managed to catch, or should I say, Scott caught the individuals, we cut off the old trackers that had stopped working, and replaced with state of the art trackers.  There was no blood shed, except for Lauren when he pinched his finger in the cutters.  But there was a lot of hissing from the cranes.  The Craniac, a Couple of Rednecks, and Two Rookies, Got-R-Done!

We got a few other chores done, then called it a day.

Thursday Pics:

Ferny Kat cuddled up with me on this cool, windy, Friday morning after Lauren got up.  As we were drinking our coffee, we heard the Cranes calling.  It has been a few days since we heard this wonderful sound.  We eased into the day, getting the oil changed in the Visitor Services Truck then checked out the improvements on the Escatawpa Trail.  It is looking good and will open after the gravel is placed.

We decided we were having ice cream for lunch.  We took a ride to our favorite ice cream joint in Vancleave.  I got the vanilla ice cream, Lauren got a pineapple milk shake.  It was fantastic as always.

We got our Dees Trail walk in, then did a Time Budget for the HQ Captive Reared Cranes.  The Cranes were resting behind humps and down in the dry pond when we got in the blind.  It took almost an hour, before they started moving around and allowing us to ID their bands.  This sunny, cool, windy day had them hunkered down.

We were surprised to find NV11 and 337 foraging when we got out of the blind.  It is nice to see and hear Cranes again today.

After we finished, we took lessons from the Cranes and hunkered down in the camper with the heaters on.

Friday Pics:

We got in 2 1/2 miles walking along Crane Lane and the Dees Trail on Saturday morning.  The American Goldfinches and Sparrows were in abundance on the Trail.  We also so a few, cool, bees.

The bird sightings continued at Camp Crane this afternoon.  We saw Golden-crowned Kinglets, Orange-crowned Warblers, along with the usual sparrows and songbirds.

 

Saturday Pics:

MSCNWR - 11-7-21 - 11-13-21

 Lauren got up at 4:30 am and I informed him he was in the wrong time zone, so he went back to bed, (dang time change).  When he got up at 6:30, which was the new time, Ferny Kat snuggled up with me.  Maybe we will be able to sleep late, until she figures it out.  

We tried to enjoy our coffee while surfing the web.  The distinctive sound of NV11 and 337's unison call, finally got our attention.  They were in the parking lot of HQ claiming their territory over Nana and Coco.

Later, we took a ride to the North Gautier Unit, and found both families, along with an American Kestrel, Merlin, several Deer, and our buddy the Kingfisher.  9 Cranes later and we were southbound. 

 

We found 3 more American Kestrels, 9 more Cranes, a Loggerhead Shrike, and Dave from fire, bush hogging.  

We picked up limbs as we rode through the refuge, that were used in our campfire tonight.  We got distracted from this nice fire a few times with the elusive call of the cranes.

We both went to look for the cranes right before dark.  A couple of cranes were outside the pen, doing their unison call, while the youngsters were doing their peep call.

While watching, from the back porch, NV11 and 337 were doing their unison call.  NV11 even bowed, picked up grass, and threw it, letting us know, this is his domain!!

It's been another day of Crane Paradise for us McLaurins!

Sunday Pics:

It was hard easing into the day on Monday, with the Cranes a calling.  We restrained from running out of the camper to see what was going on.  When we finally did get out, we found our buddies, Nana and Coco in the back yard of HQ.

They stayed all day.  Allowing quite a few visitors, (and Us), to admire their beauty.

As we sat around our nice campfire tonight, we heard the all familiar chirps.  Banana and Coconut flew down the bayou, letting us know they are going to roost for the night.  They have done this for the last 4 evenings.

Monday Pics:

Around 8 am Tuesday morning, the familiar call of the cranes sounded.  This time, a group of 2 and a group of 4 flew over the camper headed toward the North Gautier Unit.  What a racket they made.  We didn't see or hear from them for the rest of the day.  

We took advantage of this pretty day to wash the camper.  We did a Dees Trail walk and took care of a few chores at HQ before relaxing around a campfire this afternoon, listening to a pack of coyotes across the bayou.

Tuesday Pics:

NV11, 337, Banana, and Coconut were foraging at HQ Wednesday morning before the predator trial for the acclimating cranes.  Scott ran off NV11 and 337, but Banana and Coconut didn't budge.  When the predator (aka Doge) arrived, Banana and Coconut got attentive and finally flew to the pen.  This was not what Scott wanted, but it is what it is.

Melissa (aka Ghillie Girl) walked Doge (aka cutest coyote ever) out to the pen.  Banana and Coconut eased out into the savanna while the penned cranes paid close attention.

Next stop, the FB pen.  About the time Melissa and Doge got to the pen, a plane was circling, 2 eagles were flying above, and a couple of cranes were outside the pen foraging.  It was sensory overload for us, and I am sure that it was for the cranes as well.  It was not the ideal predator trial, but all in all, it was a success.

This afternoon, we went to Crossroads for the night.

Wednesday Pics:

We were greeted by Banana and Coconut when we made it back to Camp Crane Thursday morning.  After getting things unloaded, we went to the Fontainebleau Blind to do a time budget on the cranes.  That mission was aborted when we found the blind infested with wasps. 

 

We went back to HQ and did the time budget on the Audubon Cranes.  Nana and Coco were still hanging around, foraging in the yard, unison calling, and flying around the pen. 

 

NV11 & 337 flew in and ate at the feeder about the time we wrapped things up. 

 

Our first time budget went well even though it was quite a challenge when the cranes went out of sight in the pond.    

As we were relaxing around the campfire this afternoon, Nana and Coco, came by with their good night chirp as they flew down the bayou.

Thursday Pics:

There is nothing like, waking up to the sound of a unison call. NV11 & 337 were claiming their territory Friday morning, putting the 4 Amigos in the air.

Banana and Coconut had moved in by the time we got our walk along the Dees Trail in.

We went to the Fontainebleau Pen to do the Time Budget.  There were several wasps still around after it was sprayed this morning, but they were not aggressive.

When we got to the blind, an immature Eagle flew from a tree nearby.  While we were watching the cranes, a mature Eagle flew from the pond.

There was a Double- crested Comorant in the pond as well.

The cranes were having a laid back kind of afternoon, foraging and preening.  Green got in the water container and took a bath.

Caramel pecks at the netting and the tie wraps.  

Coconut and Banana were still hanging in the back yard when we returned.

Friday Pics:

When we left Saturday morning, going to Fontainebleau Pen for the Time Budget data collection, Banana and Coconut were hanging around at HQ. 

 

There were 15 vehicles in the parking lot when we left this morning.  When we came back, there was one vehicle after another coming and going.  It has been a busy day for the Dees Trail.

When we went to the HQ blind to collect the Time Budget data, Nana and Coco were standing in the middle of Crane Lane unison calling.  They know how to get attention.

We walked the Dees Trail on this cool, windy, afternoon and didn't even take a picture.

Saturday Pics: