We had a nice morning ride back to Camp Chewy Sunday. It is great to start the week with some wind therapy.
We took a slow, 3-mile stroll, on this hot day. There were not as many critters out as usual, but with the heat, that is understandable.
We got the all the porcupine traps reset and ready for the catch. It has been a while since we caught one.
Monday, we got the Kubota out and was ready to go spray Soapwort. We almost forgot to check the traps. Lauren went back to check them while I got some supplies out of the biolab. It's a good thing he went back to check. Chewy #8 was in one of the traps.
We loaded Chewy up in the Kubota, covered his cage with a towel, and away we went on an hour drive to Quill Hill. After it was released, it considered climbing a tree, then changed its mind.
While we were there, we sprayed Soapwort on Quill Hill and then sprayed spots along the way back to the refuge.
We were shocked at how low the water had dropped at Sprague/Goose Pools. What a difference a few weeks make.
We stopped and checked on the beaver guard. The beavers have been very busy for the last 4 days.
When we got back to HQ around 2 pm, the temperature was 94 degrees with a heat index of 109 degrees. It was time to wrap it up and stay in the a/c.
The resident turkeys made an appearance at Camp Chewy this afternoon.
Tuesday, we spent the day riding around checking the hunter parking areas for soapwort. We never realized how many parking areas there is on the refuge. It's hard to believe that deer season is almost here. Although, it does start earlier in the Northwoods.
Of course, while we were out and about, we did a little bit of nature chasing.
Wednesday morning we went to the Boghaunter Trail to see if the Wooley Milkweed had seedpods. There were no seed pods, but it was a nice morning for a Kubota ride.
We did the final bee survey for the year. We only got one Common Eastern bumblebee in the last few minutes of the survey. They just weren't active on this dreary looking day. Oh well, one is better than none.
We checked out the foliage near the gazebo and found a few bumblebees and other critters.
After lunch, we checked on the last 2 hunter parking areas for soapwort then relaxed at Camp Chewy.
Thursday was Sarah's last day and a going away party for the three of us. We managed to get a little bit of work in spraying soapwort before the party and the rain.
We enjoyed a meal of brats, sides, and desserts with the nice folks that work here. We were given a goodie bag with very unique and personable gifts. A Necedah NWR hoodie with pictures of a Karner Blue Butterfly, a Wolf, a Crane, and a Blanding's Turtle. We also got a Restoring the Little Yellow River tee-shirt and a picture of the wolf pups near their den
The Soapbusters that we have proclaimed ourselves as being were given a bar of homemade soap.
Lauren got a refurbished balloon, with You are #1, that he found and gave to Angie when we first got here, and a cute bumble bee ornament.
I got a Necedah NWR magnet and Porcupine Earrings.
We got a card with a Red-headed Woodpecker on the cover and very nice things wrote in it.
Afterward, we put Amber in the cage in the hopes of no more porcupine damage and relaxed at Camp Chewy.
The only birds that we saw this afternoon were a couple of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Looks like the birds have already started their migration. We won't be too far behind and start our migration in a few weeks.
Friday, we met Nikki at International Crane Foundation. After a shopping spree in their visitor center, we toured the facility. We were able to see all 15 species of cranes.
On the way over, the truck we had a shutdown mode check engine light come on.. On the way back to the refuge, we stopped at Kudick in Mauston and had them check it out. We left the truck with them until it can be repaired. They were nice enough to give us a loaner car. We have the car parked in the cage with Amber for safe keeping.
We saw several photogenic grasshoppers.
We saw a Garter snake and several frogs. We only got frog pictures, the garter snack quickly disappeared.
We saw a gaggle of geese.
And saw something that we don't have a clue of what it is.
Afterwards, we got caught up with our pictures, blogged a little bit, and relaxed in our secluded Camp Chewy.
It was nice waking up Saturday morning with the windows open and no need for a/c. It was also nice listening to a pair of Barred Owls calling to each other during the night.
We strolled our 3-mile walk getting in a little bit of nature chasing. The White Pelicans looked like they are practicing for their migration.
We got our Whooping Crane fix, seeing a couple way across the water.
We saw a lot of frogs along the boardwalk.
The bumble bee population has dwindled down. The only bumblebees that we are seeing are Common Eastern.
Afterwards we made a Wally World run and got our clothes packed for our Milwaukee trip tomorrow.
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