It was a foggy start to the morning on Sunday, then the rain started. When we went to get the keys for the truck, the HQ 10 were hanging around the building. When we came back, they were still hanging around. They have made this place home.
We didn't see the first crane on the South Gautier Unit, just a few deer and a few other birds. The critters must be hunkered down on this rainy day.
The North Gautier Unit was a little bit more active. We saw several cranes out in the savanna. We only took a few pics while we were out and about.
Monday morning, we had a smorgasbord of birds at Camp Crane.
On our way to HQ the HQ 10 were hanging around. It is so good to see these guys on a daily basis.
We did a little bit of piddling, getting the new bench installed on the Dees Trail.
After a Walmart run, we took a stroll along Crane Lane and the Dees Trail. We found Pineland Daisies adorning Crane Lane. Something we look forward to every year.
We also found a bunch of different mushrooms, some of them were along Crane Lane, but most of them were along the Dees Trail.
On the walk back to Camp Crane, we saw the 10-some still hanging around. A couple of them were foraging on corn that was spilled from the bio truck, 2 were at the HQ feeder, and the others were foraging at the end of the building. They are definitely making themselves home at the HQ.
Tuesday I woke up hearing what I thought was the crane ring tone on my phone. Instead, it was the sound of the HQ 10 in the backyard of HQ. A great sound to wake up to.
We did a little bit of piddling, walked Crane Lane and the Dees Trail, then relaxed at Camp Crane.
The HQ 10 hung around all day again Wednesday. They sure do fill up the back yard.
We got a little wet when we updated the plant markers on the Dees Trail, luckily the shower didn't last very long.
We made a few more deer buster feeders. Our new design had to be modified again. They changed the way they are making the duct caps. We will have to figure something else out.
We stayed outside for most of the day, enjoying this warm, December day. Tomorrow the weather turns cooler.
Thursday, on our way to HQ, some of the HQ 10 were crossing Crane Lane. It took a few years, but Crane Lane is living up to it's name.
We saw a few cranes and a few other species of birds during the tour.
One of the highlights of the tour was when one Eagle flew in and the other flew out swapping out nest sitting duties.
After we got back, Lauren got ole Billy Goat out and blew off Crane Lane while I made Christmas Candy.
Friday, we thought the cranes were not around when we went in to work. We thought wrong. They were near the front door, so to the backdoor we went.
While manning the visitor center, we worked in the native plant garden, taking plenty of breaks to talk with the nice folks that stopped by to visit.
Saturday morning we had a temperature of 50 when we woke up. When we got back from the Crane Tour, the temperature had dropped to 47 with cloudy skies and a breeze. Old man winter is back.
The 5 folks on the tour were greeted by the HQ 10 when they arrived.
We saw a few cranes and a few other bird species during the tour. One of the visitors asked how many different species of woodpeckers are on the refuge. She had never heard of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. All of the sudden, what shall appear, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a nearby tree. He was right on cue.
After we returned, we did a fast walk on the Dees Trail collecting the phenology data, then hunkered inside for the rest of the day.
On a very sad note, Samus, one of the recently released cranes at Fontainebleu was found dead. RIP Samus.
No comments:
Post a Comment