MSCNWR - 9-1-21 - 9-4-21

Our refuge tour was interrupted last weed by Hurricane Ida.  Fortunately for us and the refuge, we escaped any harm from this Category 4 Storm.  Lucky us.  We had a 5 day pause in our volunteer duties and have returned back home to Camp Crane on Wednesday.

Our first order of business was to weed-eat, lop limbs, and blow pine straw from our campsite.  Then we got ole Rap snuggled in her site.

We took a walk along the Dees Trail and took a few pictures of pollinators and such.  It was a very hot and humid walk.

We sat outside and did some bird watching.  It did not take the Cardinals, Hummingbirds, and Chickadees long to find their feed.  I am pretty sure they are as happy that we are back as we are.

We had a couple of new birds visiting today, Black and White Warbler and Yellow-throated Warbler.  Our first time to see these species here at Camp Crane.

The Pileated-Woodpecker pair came and visited the dead tree behind the camper late afternoon.  Both of them checked out the hole where the Red-bellied Woodpecker nest was then flew away.

Wednesday Pics:

We went to Fontainebleau Trail Thursday.  We picked up a little bit of trash in the parking lot, then walked part of the trail that was not too wet.

We mowed the grass at Camp Crane and the Dees Trail.

We had another enjoyable afternoon of bird watching at Camp Crane.

Thursday Pics:

Friday was a rest day.  We were in much need of rest after our busy week of cleaning up the yard and camper at home, then cleaning up around Camp Crane and the refuge.

We did make 2 walks on the Dees Trail enjoying the pollinators. 

We finally had a visit from RH20 at the feeder today, wonder where his buddies are.

Friday Pics:

Saturday, on our way to walk the trail, the 4 youngster Cranes were at the feeder.  NV11 and 337 flew in, bowed their head, and the youngsters flew out of there.  We haven't seen NV11 and 337 in quite a while.  We are glad they came back.

We took a few pictures of the critters and such, then got out ole Billy Goat.  We blew off the storm debris and picked up limbs along Crane Lane and the parking lot.  We unpacked the tin for the shed and will work on that another day.

 

Late afternoon, we were back to normal.  Hearing the unison call of NV11 and 337, watching the Cardinals and the Hummingbirds at the feeder, and watching the squirrel chomping on his corn on the cob.  It is great to be back to Camp Crane.

As an added bonus, we saw this Eastern Wood-Pewee flitting in the trees.

Saturday Pics:

MSCNWR - 8-22-21 - 8-28-21

We took our Sunday morning ride in the refuge this morning.  The Crane Gang was at the feeder right before we left.

We saw the Milhouse/Truffle family at Browns Trail Crop Unit.  They allowed us to take a few pictures before one of the youngsters decided it was time to fly.  The rest of the family joined in.

   

Banana and Coconut were in their usual hangout being as photogenic as always.

The Great Blue Heron nestlings at Valentine Pond are doing good.  We saw the two in one nest and the solo in the other nest.

The Great Egret was looking pretty, preening on top of one of the cypress tress at Valentine Pond.

 

We saw one of biggest Cottonmouth Snakes we have ever seen near the slough area on Browns Trail.

Up the hill, we took pictures of a Northern Bobwhite that was standing on a log.

The South Gautier Unit was a little quieter as far as Crane sightings go, but we did see a couple.

We saw several deer, including two different does with their fawns.

The Cardinals, Chickadees, and Hummingbirds feasted at their feeders this afternoon, while the Pileated Woodpeckers and Red-headed Woodpeckers feasted on their grub in the Oak Trees.  

We have our own ant-eater, Patio, the lizard.  He was chomping away on the ants that were on the rug.

Meet Bob, our first ever sighting of a Bob-tailed Cardinal.

Sunday Pics:  

Monday morning we ran a few errands. When we returned, we had a casualty on Crane Lane.  A fawn had been hit by a car.  😭

That afternoon we went to Fontainebleau Trail to pick up trash.  Believe it or not, there was no trash.

We stayed inside until later in the afternoon.  We were in the process of watering the garden, when a thunderstorm came up.  That's one way to get rain.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday morning Lauren got up early and walked the trail.  He found a couple of Black Swallowtail Caterpillars on the Water Cowbane near the pier.  Hopefully, we will be able to watch them emerge to butterflies.

We got ole Billy Goat out and cleaned up the straw covering the road and parking lot that blew down from yesterday's thunderstorm.  What I thought, was a pine cone, was a very small Box Turtle.  Lucky for him, he has a hard shell when he got blown off the road.  OOPS!

We have our first Carolina Ruella bloom in the plant garden.  This is one of those plants we transplanted weeks ago.

The afternoon, we did a few volunteer chores then relaxed at camp.

Tuesday Pics:

We were out in the field at 0600 Wednesday morning.  We went with Scott and Erin for another attempt to band the Firetower Twins.  As soon as we opened the blind windows, 2 Cranes flew over us.  This same thing happened the last time we were here.   Only, this time, we got a picture.

We spotted a couple of Cranes near the pond that were just standing there.  A little while later, we spotted the family.  I guess those youngsters like to sleep late.  The family walked in the same direction as before for a little bit before one of the adults and both kids found a spot to feed and preen.  The other parent stood guard, watching intensively.

The pair of Cranes that had been standing near the pond starting walking toward the family.  All the sudden, the family flew toward the pair and ran them off.  Yes, the entire family flew.  We were impressed at the graceful flight the youngsters had.  Needless to say, mission aborted.  

We spent the rest of the morning putting together the frame for the Kubota shed before the rain started.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday was mow day.  We had to stop for rain and had to dodge some wet spots, but we got it done.  We got our walk in on the Dees Trail.  There were not as many pollinators as there has been, but plenty to keep our attention.

We had quite a few of our resident birds pay a visit at Camp Crane this afternoon.  A Carolina Chickadee got all preened up.

We watched a Pileated Woodpecker visit the dead tree behind the camper.

Thursday Pics:

We got up early Friday morning and was on the road by 7:30 am.  We went to the Fontainebleau Trail to place brochures and found a bag that had a stinky, decayed critter in it that was thrown out at the parking area.  Dang people!  We checked on what we will need to do to get the weed-eating done around the fence at the Fontainebleau pen.  The Fire folks have done an excellent job chopping, cutting, and getting the fence back up.   

                                      

We filled up the truck and purchased a battery for the van.  We did some storm prep at Camp Crane, packed up, and evacuated to Crossroads for Hurricane Ida.  

Friday Pics: