MSCNWR - 9-19-21 - 9-25-21

We watched a Doe feeding near the bayou while drinking our Sunday morning coffee.  It set the tone for the day.

We took a ride to the South Gautier Unit.  We saw GREG, an alligator, and a snake shortly after entering the unit.

We have been hoping the Bald Eagles would return soon, and they have.  We saw an Eagle sitting on the power line near the Beasley Crop Unit.  Such a majestic sight.

There was a Red-tailed Hawk at the I10 Crop Unit.  We thought he had his meal in his talons.  We later saw it was a pine cone.  Wonder what he will do with it?

We saw a pair of Bald Eagles in a tree at the Ben Williams Crop area.  When we came back through, the couple were flying and squawking at an intruder.  They were not as happy to see another Eagle as we were. 

 

We had 11 Sandhill Crane sightings as well.

It was quiet on the North Gautier Unit.  We only had 3 Sandhill Crane sightings.   This is the first time we have rode through and did not see Banana and Coconut.  

We did an afternoon walk on the Dees Trail and updated the plant markers.

Sunday Pics:

We went to Fontainebleu Trail on Monday.  We got some limb lopping done and trash picked up.  We had a nice stroll before heading back to Camp Crane for the afternoon.

Monday Pics:

We had another FB pen work day on Tuesday with Bio and Fire.  It is still wet and muddy out there.  The Kubota got stuck a few times bringing the supplies to the pen. 

 

Wednesday was a very interesting day.  The first day of fall was the first day in a while that we had temperatures in the low 80's and low humidity.  

We got our first ride in the Marsh Master.  It was too muddy for the Kubota, so Dave shuttled us in with our pen supplies on it.  It doesn't take much to entertain us.

We had 2 Sandhill Cranes foraging near the pen.  They flew when we got too close putting up the electric fence wire.

We had a spectacular surprise today, when a Vermillion Flycatcher showed up.  We saw plenty of these in Texas, but have seen only one other in Mississippi.  This is the first time this species has been recorded on the refuge.

We got our work day completed, came back, and walked the Dees Trail.  The 4 Amigos were feasting at the HQ feeder.

We wrapped up the first day of fall with a nice campfire, after scrounging up a long sleeve.  We were not prepared with only our summer clothes. 

Tuesday/Wednesday Pics:

Thursday morning, we were able to get most of the grass cut.  It was a lot more enjoyable to cut grass in this cooler weather.  This afternoon, there was not much activity along the Dees Trail.

Thursday Pics:

This pretty Friday, had a bunch of people walking the Dees Trail, which caused us several delays with our weed-eating and Billy Goat blowing, but we finally managed to Get-R-Done. 

We had a couple of Summer Tanagers and a Great Crested Flycatcher hanging around Camp Crane today. It has been a while since we spotted them here.

The Dees Trail was not only more active today with people, but the critters were more active as well.

Friday Pics:

I lazed around Saturday morning.  Lauren on the other hand, got up and was gone to the trail, while I was drinking my first cup of coffee.  As I was easing into my day, I heard the oh so familiar sound of Cranes flying down the bayou.  The Crane dispute was on between the 4 Amigos and a couple more Cranes.

Carol, Charlie, and Jack come for a visit bringing pizza and salad for lunch.   It was great to see our friends.

It has been about a week since Banana and Coconut came for a visit.  They must have came back today to see the Lowes, (or their feeder at North Gautier is empty).

I never left Camp Crane today, but who needs to.  We saw at least 20 different species of birds right in our back yard.  We have our own private birding paradise at Camp Crane!

Saturday Pics:

 

MSCNWR - 9-12-21 - 9-18-21

We had our Sunday ride on the South and North Gautier Units.  It was a slow day for Crane sightings.  We saw 3 Cranes on each unit.

Even though we didn't see a lot of critters, we did enjoy the weather.  It was cool enough to ride with the windows down.  Something that hasn't happen around here in a while.

We saw 4 Cranes on our ride back from Fontainebleau.  The RR19 with his buddy, and a pair under the Oaks at Glenn Crane and Rigging.

We had rain by the time we got back to Camp Crane.  After the rain stopped, we were going to take a walk, but Ferny Kat changed my mind when she wanted to come outside.  Lauren made it to the visitor center when the bottom fell out.  He said running in flip flops is not an easy feat.

Sunday Pics:

We went to work on the Fontainebleau Pen restoration project Monday morning.  We spent 6 hours cutting Smilax briars from the fence and pulling them out.  Those briars had a hold on to the wire and did not come off easily.  Needless to say, we are tired this afternoon.

As we finished up and was walking out, we had a Bald Eagle fly over.   It was as if he was telling us, job well done.  He flew toward the Fontainebleau Trail and landed near the fire lane.  This is our first Eagle sighting in several months.  

We woke up to the pitter patter of rain Tuesday morning.  We also woke up to sore muscles from yesterday's work.  We thought the work day at FB pen with Bio and Fire would be cancelled, we thought wrong.  

Erin, Don, Zach and us were able to get the weed-eating done around the fence in 30 minutes.  We blew the grass away from the bottom of the fence and marked the holes that will need repair.  We also got the rusty predator wire removed from the top.  We had a productive day of working in a light, drizzly, rain.  The soaking rain did not help with the mud we splashed all over us when weed-eating.  The things we do for these dang Cranes!

Monday & Tuesday Pics:

Wednesday was a rest day, compliments of Tropical Storm Nicholas.

The rain let up, and we were able to get out and about on Thursday.  We had a nice stroll along the Dees Trail then made a Wally World run.

When we returned from shopping, we had all kinds of birds at Camp Crane.  There was a Pileated, a Red-bellied, and a Red-Head foraging in the dead tree behind the camper.  We also had a Downy Woodpecker and a Blackburnian Warbler flitting around.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the birding and squirrels at Camp Crane.

Thursday Pics:

Our morning coffee was interrupted Friday morning by the elusive call of Sandhill Cranes.  The 4 Amigos were not happy that Coconut and Banana had stopped by for a visit.  They kept hollering and jumping trying to get them to leave.  Banana and Coconut ignored them and kept foraging.

We spent the rainy afternoon working in the Visitor Center.  On our way back to Camp, the 4 Amigos were in the back yard of HQ.

We sat outside under the awning this afternoon until sunset. 

Friday Pics:

We finally had a rain free day on Saturday.  We got a walk in on the Dees Trail followed by a walk along Crane Lane this morning.

We took a ride to Back Bay Biloxi area looking for the American Golden Plover and found it.  We birded for a while then made our way back to Camp Crane.

Saturday Pics: