Back at the Ranch - 3-24-24 - 3-30-24

Sunday we got our morning walk in getting all kinds of cool pictures of nature. 

 

The Fox-Squirrel was very photogenic, allowing us to get really close to it on Crane Lane.

We went to Island View for a few hours to play our free play.  Lauren cashed in $150, I lost my free play and then some, but I have a chance at placing in the slot tournament.

We got back, did a little bit of walking and crane watching then called it a day.

Sunday Pics:

Monday, I woke up a winner.  I won $100 in the slot tournament yesterday.  Cha Ching!

We spent a little bit of time working on the Bluebird houses around HQ and the Dees Trail.  A couple of them were unrepairable.

We went to East Valentine Wet Prairie looking for those gorgeous Calopogon multiflorus, but did not find any.  Oh well it was a great way to spend a few hours walking in the savanna seeing several Butterwort blooms.

While we were out and about, we had some notable crane observations.  Life on the prairie is fantastic!!

Monday Pics:

Tuesday we spent the day at the MSC Annual Crane Recovery Meeting.  It is nice to be referred as "Super Volunteers, " to the Crane World.

Afterwards, we headed to Crossroads for the night.

Wednesday, I had about an hour and a half eye exam in the morning.  Lauren had about a two and a half dental appointment in the evening.  Then back to Camp Crane we went.  Some of the HQ were hanging around when we returned.

Thursday, I worked in the visitor center and Lauren went on a nutria survey with Athena. 

 

Afterwards, we went on a short sign placement recon then called it a day.

The Fox Squirrel was hanging around Camp Crane this afternoon.

Wednesday/Thursday Pics:

We were greeted by the Yellow-throated Vireo and the Yellow-throated Warbler on our way to work Friday morning.

We walked the Escatawpa Trail enjoying the fruits of our labor of getting the interpretive signs up.

We also enjoyed a little bit of nature chasing.

The afternoon was spent working on gate sign placement in Ocean Springs.

While we were out and about, we took a peek of the Ocean Spring Pen nest.  All was well.

On our way back, Lauren happened to see 2 cranes at Rock Hill.  We knew it was either good news or bad news.  We went back and saw this good news! 

Friday Pics: 

Saturday morning we worked in the visitor center.  The afternoon we completed the Ocean Springs gate sign project.  

We checked on the Rock Hill Family on the way back.  They were across the pond and so adorable.

Saturday Pics: 

Back at the Ranch - 3-17-24 - 3-23-24

We had a nice walk getting in a bit of nature chasing on Sunday.  Then, the rain slowly began.  We packed up, loaded the truck, then headed to Island View for the Birthday celebration.

We came through a deluge on I10.  By the time we got to Island View the sun was shining.  We got our room with our wonderful view, relaxed a bit, then headed to the casino.

We played the old farts tournament and a few of our favorite machines.

While I was playing really slowly with a great water view, I hit $300 on a 60 cent bet.  It don't get much better than this!!

Sunday Pics:

Monday, I woke up a winner on my 63rd birthday, $300 ahead!!  Happy Birthday To Me!!

The last couple of weeks, I tried several times to do a walk in for my license renewal without any luck.  Kiln had lots of appointments available so there we went.

I attempted to log in for my appointment in the small crowded waiting room only to find out I was too early to check in, so across the road to Wards for breakfast we went.

I was in and out in about 10 minutes with my 8 year drivers license.

We checked out the shorebirds on our way back.

The Royal Terns were quite entertaining getting their baths.

Anita joined us for the birthday celebration when we returned.  After a  few beers, margaritas, and a fantastic meal at  Juan Tequila's we tried our luck at the View.

Right before we went back to the room, I went to my Howling Wolf machine and won $129.  Whoop Whoop!!!

Monday Pics:

Tuesday we made a Sams and a Walmart run, and was pretty much done.

Wednesday morning , I worked in the visitor center and got the pleasure of talking with all these cool folks that stopped for a refuge visit while Lauren was doing the logistics of the Escatawpa Trail signs.  He was quite jealous when he showed up and I had over 25 visitors this morning.

We spent the afternoon, getting the signs and equipment loaded up for our 8 am departure.

The convoy of volunteers, staff, and equipment headed east to the Escatawpa Tail early Thursday morning.  I was the Kubota driver with all the precious signs.  Lauren was the awesome sign placement director.   After about 6 hours we are back to the Ranch with 7 Interpretive signs, a few directional signs, and a huge sense of accomplishment.  This trail is finally hiker ready!

We took a walk when we returned and enjoyed some nature chasing.  While we out and about, we saw a Pileated Woodpecker scoping out the holes in a dead tree.  Fingers crossed, there will be a nest soon. 

Thursday Pics:

Friday morning we tried to get ahead of the rain and look for Calopogon multiflorus plants at the East Valentine Wet Prairie.  We failed to get ahead of the rain and failed to find the Calopogon multiflorus.  Oh well, we will give it another try.

While we out and about, we admired all the Yellow Butterworts blooming along Valentine Road.

The rain stopped before noon giving us a gorgeous afternoon for hiking and nature chasing.  After over 4 miles, we are chilled out at Camp Crane. 

Friday Pics:

Saturday, we got our walking in.  We did a couple of loops around the trail and Crane Lane getting over 4 miles in.  Although, it took us hours to do this.

We saw several birds

More and more plants are blooming

The bees were buzzing

The bugs were crawling

The critters were scouting

On our way into Camp Crane we had a Fox-squirrel feeding in the trees  Spring has sprung!

Saturday Pics: