Sunday, the week started out cloudy and windy. But at least it wasn't raining. We did a porcupine trap check then hung around camp waiting for the sunshine.
While we were hanging around, we found our first Ruby-throated Hummingbird nest.
We also took lots of pictures of the critters hanging around the Common Milkweed.
Finally, this afternoon, the sun came out. We went on a 3 mile hike and got some cool pictures. A little bit of wind and sun kept the mosquitoes at bay. Hopefully, things are going to be better in the outdoors than they have been in the last few weeks.
Monday was another no porcupine in the traps morning. It was also a beautiful day with a light breeze. It was the first time in a while that we walked out the door and were not bombarded by mosquitoes.
We spent our 7 hour work day walking the prairies doing Red-headed Woodpecker surveys. We found 2 active nests where the parents were feeding their young. One of the little rascals kept a keen eye on us when the parents left. Unfortunately, we didn't have our camera to get a picture.
We also found an Eagle nest with 2 youngsters standing tall and proud. We also saw what looks like a dead Eagle. We could see talons and feathers but could not confirm. This Monday and last Monday we found an Eagle's nest. Sad that it appears there is a dead one in this nest.
On our last Red-headed Woodpecker segment, we, (or rather Eagle Eye), found a Wolf Den. What a great spot!!
It was a long but good start to the work week.
Tuesday was a little more laid back. First order of business, (after checking the porcupineless traps), was to find Angie's glasses that she lost when doing the Red-headed Woodpecker survey yesterday. We found them right where she thought they would be.
As we were riding around checking the traps, we saw a doe and her twin fawns hanging around the fire center.
While waiting to leave to look for glasses, I helped a Painted Turtle over the curb near the visitor center. Although, it hissed and clawed and didn't seem to want my help.
On our way back, we checked out a Soft-shell Turtle on the edge of the road. It was very photogenic when we were taking pictures from afar. But when Angie kneeled down to get a picture with her cell phone. It turned and ran into the water. None of us had any idea a turtle could move that fast.
We spent several hours picking Wild Lupine seed then distributed them to the meadow across from the whooping crane training bunker. We saw a couple of Karner Blues as we were picking the seed.
We took the long way back and enjoyed the critter sightings along the way.
After we got some grub, we placed a couple of cameras near the wolf den that we found yesterday. It will be exciting to see what footage we have.
Wednesday, we were pleasantly surprised to find Chewy #3 in a trap at the fire center. We loaded it up and took it North. It was very docile when we released it. All for that day off we were given. Oh well, it's not really work when you have this much fun taking in all the nature along the way.
When we returned to the visitor center, we saw a family of raccoons walking across the employee parking lot.
We changed out the cards on the wolf cameras. No wolf photos as of yet.
Thursday, I helped Angie with Soapwort while Lauren helped Max with water data. Lauren joined us for the last couple of hours of our Soapwort mission.
While Lauren was out with Max he saw a fine buck with its antlers in velvet.
He also saw some pretty pollinators and blooms.
After Lauren joined us, we stopped and took pictures of all the butterflies enjoying the wolf poop in the road.
We stopped and took pictures of a deer family. As we were pulling off, we saw a bird land on the doe. Of course we backed up and took pictures.
On our way back, we saw another deer with a cowbird on it's back. The cowbirds should be called deerbirds here!
We stopped for picture of a Bobolink.
And a picture of a sandhill crane colt in the grass.
We spent a couple of hours on this rainy Friday checking the porcupine traps, removing a wasp nest from the steps of the observation tower, and changing out the cards on the wolf cameras. Afterwards we made a Sams run.
Saturday was a beautiful, sunny, windy day. We got up slow then moved slower. It was after noon before we got out for a stroll.
We were able to walk most of the visitor center trail and the Karner Loop without being bombarded with mosquitoes. What a wonderful way to spend a nature chasing day!
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