We got up early and went critter searching Sunday morning. We saw 14 Ms. Sandhill Cranes and lots of other pretties along the way. It has been a long time since we got out early for nature chasing. It was well worth it.
We got back to work Monday morning. We walked the Fontainebleu Trail picking up a little bit of litter along the way.
We stopped at the gates along Gautier Vancleave Road and picked up trash.
We expected the Deer Flies to be bad at the Oak Grove Trail. They didn't bother us when we picked up trash in the parking area while we were close to the truck. But, when we got about 1/2 way walking the trail, they were in ambush mode. Our leisurely stroll, turned into more of a run. Between swatting the flies and dodging the Banana Spider webs, we got our cardio workout in.
We had a little bit of rumbling going on when we got back to camp, so we stayed inside and got some blog and picture work done.
Tuesday morning we did our usual stroll around the Dees Trail, took a water break, then walked Crane Lane. We had a few critters that caught our attention.
On our way back from an afternoon Sams run, we took the scenic route along the beach. We saw the usual shorebirds and a few people. We didn't even stop for a picture.
We took pictures of the Riley Road Cranes at a cemetery in Ocean Springs. You never know where you might find these cranes.
Wednesday we went to DeSoto National Forest in search of the Orange Crested Orchid. We had gps coordinates for their location which helped get us in the area. The hike to the area was in tall grass, when we finally found one, we found several. When we returned to the truck, there was one near the edge of the ditch. The things we do for a beautiful orchid.
We rode around for several hours in the national forest. We stopped for a picnic lunch under the trees near the lake at the P.O.W. Camp. It was a nice day with temps in the mid 80's and a breeze. It is amazing we are having this weather in August.
As we were headed through Vancleave on our way home, I saw a couple of kids with ice cream cones. I mentioned how good the ice cream looked. We turned around and got some of the best ice cream we have had in a long time.
We got back to camp and took a stroll along the Dees Trail. Snapping a few pics along the way. We sat outside for the rest of the afternoon enjoying the nice temperature and breeze. We have had a fantastic Date Day!
We spent Thursday morning getting the grass mowed. It was finally dry enough to mow the ditches.
We finally have 4 Sandhill Cranes coming to the feeder at HQ, 3 Unbanded and RH20A. RH20A is one of the first chicks to hatch in 2020, at the Rock Hill pond. We found the nest during a Crane Tour. It has been a while since we have seen cranes at the feeder. We sat and watched them for a while. It is amazing to see their different eye color in the pictures.
Friday was another work day. We weedeated, limb loped, litter picked up, and Billy Goat blew. It was a very productive day.
We saw this cool DeKay's Brownsnake at the back door of HQ that was hiding in the grass, until we weedeated.
After lunch, we got the Billy Goat out. The plan was we would take turns blowing off the road. Lauren took off, and was finally seen a while later. By that time, I had loped a lot of limbs and briars from around a few trees.
I was finally let loose with the Billy Goat on the way back to camp. We are very impressed with this contraption.
We took a quick Wally World run, then Lauren strolled along the Dees Trail, and I got a few household chores done. It has been another fantastic day, although, we think we will take off for a few. We are kind of tired.
We got in a couple of miles of strolling on this hot, humid Saturday morning. Crane Lane did not have much going on. The critters and us enjoyed the pretty blooms along the CL Dees trail.
This afternoon, Lauren saw a Quail run across the lawn at HQ.
We sat outside this afternoon with the fan blowing on us, while watching a squirrel and the birds at the feeders.
