MSCNWR - 1-16-22 - 1-22-22

We woke up to a cloudy, cold, windy Sunday.  The temperature stayed in the 40's all day with howling wind.  The HQ 5 were huddled up on the back porch.  They saw Lauren and walked toward the feeder keeping an eye on him.

We took a ride to the Gautier Units.  We counted 16 Sandhill Cranes hanging around the Browns Trail Crop Unit.  All of them flew a short distance except our buddies, Nana and Coco. They walked toward us as we drove in.  Their feeder must be empty. 

 

The other Cranes landed in the savanna and started walking back toward the feeder as well.  

They were all back at the crop unit when we made our drive back through.

We saw our first Yellow Butterwort bloom today.  It was such a pretty sight on this gloomy day.

We saw the usual 5 Cranes hanging at Firetower Pond.  They were not in a hurry and gave us time to take a few pictures.

The Beasley Eagle was sitting up looking proud today.  She could have a hatchling or two.  We watched for a while with the scope hoping to see the babies.  We got so caught up in watching her, we had to go back and take a picture.

The HQ 5 were still hanging at the backyard when we returned.  We got in, turned on the heat, and stayed in for the rest of the day.

Sunday Pics:

It was a lazy Monday morning for me, sleeping until almost 8 am.  After lounging around for a while, we got a few chores done at the VC.  We went out to eat at Country Gentleman and had my first surf and turf poboy, which was a roast beef poboy with fried shrimp.  I have to say, it was really good.

We went to G11 with the scope to check on the Eagle nest.  We didn't need a scope today.  We had one mad Eagle fly from the nest and swoop above us.  There is no doubt the nest is active.

The HQ 5 were foraging at the feeder when we returned.  After our Crane Lane walk,  2 of them were standing, 2 were laying down, and 1 was headed to the feeder.  They definitely feel at home here.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we spent the day getting the boards cut, put up, and painted for the VC restrooms. We also made a holder for the VC sign.  We had several visits to the feeder from the HQ 5 and plenty of people looking for them.  It was too late to build a campfire when we finished for the day, so around the propane campfire we sat.

Tuesday Pics:  

Wednesday morning we heard the unison call of the Cranes.  Even though 3 Cranes flew off  before we could get a picture, it was still, a nice way to start the day.  

After we returned from our around the world trip, the HQ 5 were foraging in the back yard.  We still didn't get a picture.

We sat around the campfire until after dark which is very unusual for us.  The Coons were impatient for us to go in and started eating at the feeders.  We took them down and put them in the metal trash can.  They must have been watching.  As soon as we went in, they climbed up the railing at the back of the camper and opened the lid.  Lauren moved the can away from the railing in the hopes of keeping them out of it.

Thursday morning around 3 am, we heard the clatter of the lid falling off the metal trash can.  Lauren got up, shined the light, and saw one of the Coons inside the can.  Needless to say, the trash can and feeders are inside the camper.  Dang Coons!  

We got a full day of work in, installing the paper towel and soap dispensers in the VC bathrooms.  We had a lot of distractions in our work day, admiring all the Cranes in the backyard.  The HQ 5 and the Blue Crew hung around in the backyard for most of the day.

Thursday Pics:

On our way to the VC Friday morning, the HQ 5 were foraging near the bayou.  We piddled around in the VC then went home and made soup on this cold, wintery, day.

Friday Pics:

While drinking our coffee Saturday morning, we had Cranes fly over with peeping and adult voices being loud and proud.  It was music to our ears.

We ventured out on this cold, windy day to do a little bit of nature chasing. The Firetower family and the Unbanded pair were hanging at the pond.

The Beasley Eagle was busy feeding in the nest today.  We can't wait until the hatchlings are big enough to see.

We saw 3 Bald Eagles and 8 Sandhill Cranes before heading North.

We got a nice family portrait of the Rock Hill family.

We had the usual Circus of Cranes at the North Gautier Unit.  Before we got to the Browns Crop Unit feeder we counted 21 of them.  

Our faves, Nana and Coco, took advantage of the feeder when the other Cranes flew. 

 

We watched the playful antics of the HQ5 this afternoon from the comforts of the Visitors Center.

Saturday Pics:    

MSCNWR - 1-9-22 - 1-15-22

It was a lazy Sunday at Camp Crane today.  We went on a Walmart run right before lunch after playing on the computer for quite a few hours.  We did a Dees Trail and Crane Lane walk this afternoon, enjoying the critters along the way.  As we were sitting on the back porch of the Visitors Center, 4 of the HQ 5 did a fly over.  3 of the 4 were flying in sequence.  There is always one of the bunch that has to be the odd ball.

Sunday Pics:

It was a cold, windy Monday, but at least it was sunny.  The HQ 5 were in the parking lot when we went to the VC. 

We got a few chores done at the VC and a few chores done in the camper.  We made a stroll down Crane Lane and back this afternoon.  When we left for our stroll the HQ 5 were in the backyard.  When we returned, NV11 and 337 were in the backyard.

Monday Pics: 

The Crane World was in havoc Tuesday morning.  Scott put a blind near the HQ feeder to try and catch the Cranes for tracker replacements.  The HQ 5 spent the morning peep guard calling and pacing in the backyard.  At least 4 of the 5 were peeping. Mist is beginning to get his adult voice.  They finally settled down this afternoon and ate from the feeder.

We got ole Billy Goat out and blew off the debris from the roads this afternoon then went to check out the G11 Eagle nest.  We could not confirm an active nest.  We will go back with a scope for a better look.  We did see an immature Eagle perched in a tree and a couple of Cranes.

The HQ 5 hung around for most of the day until roost time.  The reflection of the sunset made them look like Pink Flamingos as they flew above the bayou.

Tuesday Pics:

It was slacker Wednesday.  We took a ride to look for the South Gautier Eagles with the scope.  After looking in the scope in the bed of the truck, we still cannot confirm an active nest at G14.

  

On our way in, we saw Greg and 5 Sandhill Cranes in Firetower Pond.

  

While looking at the G14 nest, we saw bunches of Cedar Waxwing in the nearby trees.

We made our usual loop to the powerlines seeing the resident Kestrel then went for a Beasley Road ride.  Near the turnaround, we found a Grey Ghost (Northern Harrier) hunting over the savanna.

We saw all kinds of birds after we turned around.  We found a Common Yellow-throat, several different sparrows, and other species. 

    

We stopped by the Fire Center to assist the interns with their weed-eater woes then went to the North Gautier Unit.  The Cranes were flying around everywhere when we entered the unit.

We saw our first 2022 Pale Pitcher Plant bloom on the way out.  This prompted a walk in the savanna where we found an almost Butterwort bloom.  It doesn't take much to appease us.

We enjoyed an early afternoon campfire with smore's, then called it a night.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday we started out slow.  We had a HQ 5 flyover that we expected to go North.  Instead, they flew over the trees at Camp Crane and headed Easterly flying over the bayou.

We took a stroll along the Dees Trail and updated, (or removed), plant markers.  The bloom chasing is slow in January.

We strolled along Cane Lane found a couple of butterflies. One of them we thought was dead in the road.  When we came back, he was moving around.

 

We decided to clean up the Project Manager's vehicle.  A few hours later and a lot of scrubbing, it looks much better.

After a Lowe's run we were finally done for the day. 

We had a nice propane campfire, watching Ferny Kat chase birds, then called it a night.

Thursday Pics:

We got our Crane Lane walk in Friday morning, then got distracted and never got a Dees Trail walk in.  

We made a Walmart run, then did a few chores to earn our keep.  Afterwards, we checked on the Eagles at the South Gautier Unit.

We saw the resident couple of Cranes at Firetower Pond and then saw 5 more fly away from the I10 Crop Unit.  

We found 12 more Cranes inside the Ben Williams Pen.  On our walk to the blind to get a closer look, we flushed 2 Eagles.

  

Before returning to Camp Crane, we went searching for the Rock Hill Fam. Found them near Gautier/Vancleave road foraging in a yard.

The HQ 5 were on their way to the HQ feeder when we returned.  They make frequent stops during the day, which is good for the many people that are stopping by to see cranes.

We relaxed by an afternoon fire and wrapped up the day.

Friday Pics:

We went to Pascagoula River Audubon Center for a bird walk and a Climate Watch talk.  Tim was the birding leader.  He probably has forgot more about birds than we will ever know.  The birds were very cooperative and active on this cloudy morning.

One of the first stops was to see the nesting Great Horned Owl.  She kept a keen eye on us, while we watched numerous species in the trees around her.

We have been hearing a lot about the climate watch, but never really understood what the program was about until today.  The Gulf Coast Audubon is focusing on Brown-headed Nuthatches which is one of our favorite birds.  We have always admired them and enjoyed their squeaky toy sound while they are bustling around in the trees. 

Afterwards, we rode along the Pascagoula Beach and a few of the piers.  We saw quite a few beauties on this long way home.

We did a little bit of work at the FB Trail parking area and a little bit of road work at Brown's Trail.  We saw 9 Sandhill Cranes on our way to the trail and the usual herd at the North Gautier Unit.  We surprised Jabba, VI19 and their unb partner near the Gautier pen.

We saw at least 15 Cranes near Valentine Pond from Browns Trail.  They were quite vocal, so we kept on trucking and let them be.  We didn't even bother with a pic.

The rain set in about the time we returned.  When we opened the camper door, Ferny Kat bailed out.  We sat under the front of the camper as she enjoyed the rain.  Crazy cat!!

  

Saturday Pics: