Saturday we packed up and moved out of Camp Secour. We drove for a couple of hours and are nestled back in our old spot at Camp Crane. It is good to be home.
We talked to Carol, Charlie, Tom, and Rebecca at the visitor center then took a stroll along the Dees Trail.
We made another stop at the visitor center then walked Crane Lane.
When we were walking back, we saw Hefan. He came bearing gifts. A really nice thank you card and Crane origami that he had made. He used the color code for HQ1 and HQ2 bands. A very thoughtful gift.
While siting around camp enjoying the evening, the HQ 5 did a fly over and landed in the back yard.
A little while later, we heard the loud and proud call of NV11, 337, and their youngster. Momma crane was hesitant to come to the feeder after being caught in the bownet a few weeks ago. After Dad and Jr, ate for a bit, Jr. went out in the savanna and assured Mom it was ok. She then joined them at the feeder. Nature is amazing.
It is so good to be back home, having crane flyovers, and hearing their elusive calls. Life is good!!
Sunday, was a funday. It started out with the elusive call of the Mississippi Sandhill Cranes. After taking a look, we found our favorites, Banana and Coconut at HQ. They stayed around all day.
We took a tour of the Gautier Units, sighting 6 more cranes. We also had 9 American Kestrel sightings, along with many other great finds. We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 hour tour.
As we were talking to a couple that were admiring Banana and Coconut, the HQ 5 did a fly over, followed by loud and proud, NV11, 337, and NR22. The couple had came yesterday and had not seen any cranes. They got a show this morning.
Hefan came by to say goodbye, getting a 10 Crane salute for his departure.
We met one of the new Interns, Theresa and her sister. We showed them around the visitor center. It looks like Theresa is going to fit right in at the Crane Ranch.
The Crane commotion got going again this afternoon. The 10 Cranes did a little bit of squabbling in the savanna, then flew over the visitor center.
Shortly after, we heard the crane commotion again. We later found out, that the HQ 5 were at the feeder when a guy rode his one wheel thingamajig chasing them. Dang People.
The HQ 5 came back and got their snack after the guy left Their persistence paid off.
As I typed in the beginning, it has been a Sunday Funday!
Monday, we got up early to see the sunrise over the savanna. We sure have missed this.
We got the mowing done, although it took longer than usual due to mower issues. After we finished, we met Anita at Island View. We had an amazing meal at the Half Shell Oyster House, donated a little bit of money to the casino, then had a good nights sleep. It has been a couple of years since we have been in a casino. Fun was had by all!
Tuesday, we met Jake, the other Intern that will be here at the Crane Ranch for a year, a really nice guy. While waiting to go to the Fontainebleau Pen for a work day, Lauren found a cool find, a Red-bellied Snake in the visitor center. This is the 2nd snake we have found in the visitor center and the 3rd snake that has been found in the building in the last year, (that we know of). There was a time I would be running and screaming. I saw Lauren's pic on our shared Google pictures, then went to find out where the snake was. The times are a changing.
We spent the morning doing some habitat restoration and fence repairs at the Fontainebleau Pen. We went back in the afternoon to do more pen work with all the employees. Scott was able to get his presentation in before the rain started. It has been a long time since rain has interfered with our plans, but today was the day.
We were greeted with the NV11 fam when we returned to HQ.
Wednesday, we went back to the Fontainebleau Pen for some more pen work. We got the holes in the fencing repaired and the visual barrier around the blind.
With the Crane Circus going on at HQ, it is hard to find a time to fill up the feeder and not disturb the cranes. Banana and Coconut were supervising Lauren as he filled the feeder this morning.
Banana and Coconut hung around all day. Around 4ish, the loud and proud arrived. NV11, 337, and NR22. They had the HQ5, Nana, and Coco moved to the side of the building. The employees got quite a show as they were leaving for the day.
Around 5ish, the HQ 5, Nana, and Coco came calling and flying down the bayou. NV11, 337, and NR22 were in close pursuit. It has been another great day at Camp Crane.
Thursday morning Banana, Coconut, and the HQ5 were near the parking lot when we took the van, aka Ox Wagon, to the shop for repairs.
I got Wimpy out and weed-eated around the building while Lauren cut palmettos in front of the acclimation pen. I was supervised by the HQ5.
Afterwards, we got ole' Billy Goat out and blew off the pavement. It has been a long day, but the place is looking better and better.
Friday morning got off to a great start with 10 Cranes hanging around HQ. The NV11 family, Nana, Coco, and the HQ5. Lauren took a stroll along the Dees Trail while I eased into the day.
We got some weed eating done then took Rebecca and Tom for a tour of the North and South Gautier Units. We did not see any cranes on the refuge at the North Gautier Unit. But we saw the Dougie Family and 5 cranes from the South Unit hanging on Allen Road. The cranes have been in some odd places today.
The South Gautier Unit was more craney. We had 13 crane sightings. We also saw a Red-Shouldered Hawk, a few Kestrels, and another Bald Eagle.
When we parked the truck at HQ, the Crane Circus was in full swing. Coconut was standing his ground with NV11. Then came and stood a few feet from us. He knows he is safe from NV11 when he is around us. They finally all flew away toward the pen.
Saturday, the Crane Circus was again in full swing when we opened the visitor center. The morning started with 9 cranes calling in front of the Dees Trail, then flying out to the savanna. The usual crew was there minus Banana.
Coconut enjoyed the corn for a while, then was eased away by NV11. He actually came to the back door of the visitor center and knocked on it when NV11 was closing in on him. NV11 eased back and so did Coco.
At one point today, NV11 and 337, were teaching NR22, their youngster on herding Coconut. These dang birds are very entertaining.
During a tornado warning, the HQ5 and Coconut were jumping, calling, and running around in the back yard. They must have been doing their rain dance.
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