Monday we made our way back to Camp Crane after spending a couple of days in Crossroads. We made a couple of loops on the Dees Trail and walked Crane Lane. The HQ 5 finally got hungry enough and made an appearance at the backyard this afternoon. It is the first time we have seen them in quite a while.
We sat around camp this afternoon grilling ribs and birding. We had a teasing Northern Parula that was singing above our heads and flitting around in the oak tree. We never were able to get a picture.
Tuesday was mow day, which was way overdue. Some of the grass was knee high to a giraffe. Now that the DGF season is nearing the end, we will have more time to keep it cut. As I was making my second loop in the backyard of the visitor center, 4 of the HQ 5 were foraging at the feeder. I changed my path and mowed away from them as they foraged at the feeder. They stayed there for quite a while, then went to check out the mowing that I had done at the east end. A bit later they flew away toward the pond. We heard them guard calling later this afternoon, but they did not make an appearance. It is good to see them hanging around HQ again.
We made a stroll around the Dees Trail, then relaxed at Camp Crane, well, except for swatting those nasty yellow flies.
Wednesday, we made a loop around the C.L. Dees trail. In the afternoon, we prepped the boat for another marsh bird survey. We depart at 0530 tomorrow morning.
Thursday, we were on the water for the marsh bird survey before daylight. It was a nice, tranquil ride with the mist rising from the water. We saw a Yellow-crowned Heron, several Ospreys, and a few other birds, and heard a least bittern and a rail during the 3 hour tour.
After we returned, we cooked a good ole camping breakfast then helped the Interns lower the water in the DGF tanks. The Croak Crew will be wrapping up the 2022 season in the next few weeks.
We updated the plant markers and got the phenology data along the Dees Trail this afternoon. When we got finished, the HQ 5 were chilling in the shade in the savanna. We followed suit, sitting around relaxing in the shade at Camp Crane. It has been a long, but fun day.
After we closed the visitors center on Friday, we went for a refuge ride. We saw a couple of cranes shortly after entering the South Gautier Unit. Before we departed, we saw a total of 6 cranes. Not bad for a hot afternoon.
We checked on the Rock Hill and Dougie pair. The Rock Hill pair has lost their nest, again. We saw one of them in an orchard behind one of the houses. We didn't find the Dougie family.
When we entered the North Gautier Unit, we saw 3 cranes in the fire lane to the north.
We thought we found an injured crane when we got to the Browns Trail Crop Unit and saw a head bobbing up and a wing flopping in the tall grass. After we got out, Milhouse and her mate jumped up and flew off. They were diverting us away from their colt. We continued on our way and let them be.
We did not find the Jabba family. They have lost one of their colts, a family of 3 now.
We got back to Camp Crane and relaxed for the evening.
Our first visitor Saturday morning was a Decays brown snake. He was checking out the exhibit hall when we opened up. We coaxed him in a box and released him in the plant garden.
We had a total of 31 visitors that trickled in today, giving us time to get caught up with our blog and pictures. Each of us putting in 139 hours last month had got us behind.
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