Sunday was a beautiful day. It was sunny with the temperature in the 50's. It was a great day for getting outside. The HQ 5 were in the back yard this morning. When they walked to east end of the building and started back toward the feeder, Nana and Coco had joined them. The HQ 5 did a little bit of territorial gestures, so the duo went to their old digging ground at the corner of the savanna near Crane Lane.
Cathy arrived just in time to see the 7 of them. They were her welcoming committee. Cathy's enthusiasm for nature was a reprieve. Not only did we have someone to talk to, we had someone who was as enthusiastic about nature, (well almost), as we are. It is always great to spend time with her.
Monday was back to work day. We got the faculty restrooms painted and a few other chores done. After our walk on the Dees Trail, the inquisitive Interns asked about the vehicle counter. To make a long story short, they tested it out. Mystery solved. A good, hard, jump will be counted on the vehicle statistics.
After we we got the touchless paper towel and soap dispensers up in the employee restroom, we went to check on the Eaglets. We saw an adult Eagle fly from the G1 nest, but no Eaglets.
We watched both parents come in and feed the Eaglets at the G14 nest. Those little boogers were hungry.
Wednesday started out as a hum drum kind of day. We went looking for the Gannet at the Pascagoula Beach, which we didn't find. We did a Wally World shopping trip, then made it back to Camp Crane. We made a run to the post office to mail a couple of Jr. Ranger prizes, then came back and walked the Dees Trail. The walk along the trail did not prompt any picture taking.
We took a ride in the Kubota to see if there were any Cranes at the Fire Center. On our way, we saw a couple of Cranes near the HQ Pen. The inquirers that we are, went up in the Boss Blind to see who was there. We found the HQ 5 all inside of the acclimation pen. A short text to Scott, and it was on!! Scott, the Interns, and Us headed out to the pen and closed the gate. The rest is history.
Scott caught Thunder and Lauren caught Squall. Lauren is now the Crane Wrangler. I believe he even impressed the Craniac.
We caught and released both Cranes in 4 minutes after shutting the gate. As Scott said, it was slick as snot.
Thursday we got our washing done while walking around enjoying the views at Crane Lane, the Fire Center, and the Dees Trail. Nothing real exciting, except, being outside on a spring like day in February.
We went to the Fontainebleau Trail, picked up a little bit of trash, and dismantled the pedestrian counter.to work on it at HQ. Looks like someone has been trying to get the counter off of the tree. Hmm!!
We took the short cut home and found the Crane Circus in full flight. As we were taking pictures of Nana and Coco and their buds, there was a ruckus of Crane flight behind them. We counted at least 16 Cranes in the North Valentine Savanna. Sweet!!
We got back and had a wonderful campfire. It sure is nice to finally have a Spring day in the Winter in South Mississippi.
RH 20 was standing tall out in the savanna with the HQ 5 Friday morning when we left heading to Sams.
We took the scenic route back to camp, driving along the beach looking at the shorebirds. Love is in the air, (or on the sidewalk), for the Rock Pigeons.
We got a little bit of work done, then strolled the Dees Trail.
We checked on the Rock Hill nest, we found mom, but not the nest. They must have smartened up and moved it away from the road.
While we were sitting around the campfire this afternoon we heard the Cranes. RH 20 and the HQ 5 strolled through the Toothache Grass to the feeder.
We got our 2 1/2 mile walk in Saturday morning getting a few pics along the way.
After lunch, we got our Eaglet fix in. One of the parents was feeding both of them. They have grown a bunch in just a few days.
We saw a few more cool critters before heading to the Crane Circus.
4 Cranes flew as we neared Browns Trail Crop Unit, then 9 more flew, then some more flew, etc. The Crane Circus continues. They were not as photogenic as usual, flying to the tree line before we could get their picture.
On the other hand, a Great Egret, a Bald Eagle, and a Belted Kingfisher posed for their pictures at Valentine Pond.
We got back to camp and relaxed by the campfire for the rest of the evening.
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