Happy Easter! We checked on the Beasley Eagles and found one of them flying around and the other perched in a tree. They are taking short flights but staying close to their nest.
The Crane Circus was in full swing at the North Gautier Unit. We found Banana at the crop unit alone again and Coconut past the pen with a couple of friends. Either they have fell out with each other or Nana may have a nest.
We went hunting for orchids, (instead of Easter eggs 🐰), and found a few more Calopogon multiflorus blooms.
Monday, we made 2 loops around the Dees Trail rearranging the plant markers.
During our stroll along Crane Lane we helped a caterpillar safely cross the road.
We did a few chores around the visitors center then relaxed in the comforts of the lawn chairs at Camp Crane.
Tuesday, we watched for cranes at the bownet trap with Scott, while the Interns were out in the field. The only thing that showed up were 2 geese.
We weedeated and blew off the concrete around HQ. We opened the visitors center per Jereme's request at noon. We thought we were going to have a busy day when we had 15 visitors by 1 pm, then no one else darkened the door.
We relaxed a Camp Crane afterwards, doing some birdwatching. It has been a busy day, working 6 am until 3 pm.
It has been over 2 years, but we had our first Crane Safari Wednesday for some nice folks from the Bon Secour NWR Friends Group. As we were admiring the diverse plant life of the wet pine savanna, a Bald Eagle stole the show. He was gliding in the wind about tree top high.
I told the group that the Ms. Sandhill Cranes were lazy and didn't fly very long or very high. That myth was busted when the first crane we saw got up in the wind drifts getting higher and higher.
The Crane Circus was not in full performance today. There were quite a few observed, but they did not stay around for a photo shoot.
We checked on the Dougie family before heading back to headquarters. We thought there was only one colt, until today. We saw 2 bundles of colt joy with their parents. A great way to end a tour. We got fed at the shed, then went to check on the tadpoles.
We made a Dees Trail and Crane Lane walk then relaxed at Camp Crane.
Thursday, we had an impromptu crane safari for a couple of USFWS employees that were in the area for a conference. As we were leaving, the HQ5 were right on cue showing up at the feeder for them to admire.
The Crane Circus was an awesome production at the North Gautier Unit. We saw about 15 more cranes as we eased down the roads.
The ladies were very interested in the ecological system. We were very interested in showing them our beautiful savannas. We stopped a couple of times and walked around in the savannas.
The Jabba Family were right on cue. We opened the windows of the blind and there they were.
The Dougie Family was under the shade tree close to the road. They were so stinking cute walking through the clover. I have named them Crimson and Clover.
On our way into the South Gautier Unit, we showed them one of the crane nests in Firetower Pond. As we were looking, there was a glance of something looking like a chick, but we never could confirm.
We wrapped up the tour watching one of the Beasley Eagle fledglings sitting in a tree. The enthusiasm the 4 of us had, resulted in a fabulous 3 hour tour.
Friday, we joined the Interns for bownet watch. We had 9 cranes show up. We had 9 cranes skeddadle when a visitor walked up for a cell phone closeup. Dang it!
Scott and the Interns confirmed that 2 chicks hatched on the Firetower nest. So,we did see a colt.
We spent the afternoon at Sheppard State Park. We enjoyed the quiet nature trails looking at the pretty plants and the critters along the way.
We loaded up the pelts, some tear off sheets and headed to the Ocean Springs Earth Day event. We spent the day telling people about the iNaturalist app and our wonderful refuge. Two of our favorite subjects.
Jeff has been trying to get Jayce to ride a pedal bike for months with no luck. Today, that changed when Lauren bribed him.
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