MSCNWR - 3-27-22 - 4-2-22

Sunday, we went on a orchid search in the Ocean Springs Unit.  It had been 8 weeks after the prescribed burn.  We figured we would not find any considering we have not seen any orchids blooming anywhere, and we were right. 

We spent an hour and a half walking around in the beautiful savanna enjoying the frogs and the blooms.  It was so nice and peaceful. 

 

While looking around, we discovered a new carnivorous plant species for the refuge, Chapman's Butterwort.

Sunday Pics: 

Monday, we decided would be a take it easy kind of day.  We walked both of the trails, restocked brochures, updated the plant markers on the Dees Trail, watered the flower bed, and shot the bull with lots of visitors.  Before we knew it, we had a 6 hour day in.  Time flies when you are having fun!

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we walked the Dees Trail and Crane Lane.  We got the Bow Net set up and tried out the new remote.  It seems to work pretty good.  We did a little more piddling around the VC then called it a day.

As an added bonus, a flock of Cedar Waxwings, flocked into Camp Crane this afternoon.  Such a cool species of birds.

Tuesday Pics:

Melissa suggested we take the day off on Wednesday, and we almost did.  We helped with the uncovering of the septic tank at Camp Crane.  We did our Crane Lane and Dees Trail walk, then mailed a pair of binoculars and spotting scope from the Visitors Center for repairs.  Vortex VIP warranty is phenomenal.  We did see a 5 some of Cranes fly toward the pen this morning, and a bunch of other birds hanging around Camp Crane. Us and the birds were happy for a wind block.

Wednesday night we let the Gautier Fire Department in HQ and the Bunkhouse, luckily, it was a false fire alarm.  We set off the burglar alarm again.  We have set the alarm off twice in the last few weeks.

  

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday we manned the VC.  We had 50 visitors on this beautiful day. 

Thursday Pics:

We had VC duty again on Friday.  Late afternoon, we had a yard full of Cranes until NV11 flew in and claimed his domain.

Friday Pics:

We had more Cranes than people when we opened the VC Saturday morning.  They went back and forth from the backyard to the pen for most of the day.

Banana and Coconut were part of the group.  They hung around the back door of the VC when the 2 Unbanded and RR20 didn't want to share the corn at the feeder.  They were up close and personal.

We made a couple of loops on the Dees Trail Saturday updating the plant markers.  We talked to a few people in the VC then took off for a flower search.  We were looking for Calopogon (Grass Pink Orchid) blooms.  We didn't find any, but we did find our first orchid bloom of the year, a Snake Mouth Orchid.

We saw 11 Cranes at the North Gautier Unit and only a couple at the South Gautier Unit.  

The Beasley Eagle family were all doing good.  There was a nest full when one of the parents flew in with supper. 

 

We found Coconut hanging in the slough on Crane Lane by himself when we returned.

The Cranes got in an uproar late afternoon, when NV11 showed up and claimed his backyard.  It wasn't long until 9 of them were flying over the bayou heading toward their roost.

Saturday Pics:

 

MSCNWR - 3-20-22 - 3-26-22

Sunday we made a Sams run, afterwards we walked the C.L. Dees trail and Crane Lane. On our way out of Camp Crane, we saw Nana and Coco near the feeder.

It was a nice day for a walk and critter watching on this first day of Spring.  The warmer weather has more butterflies fluttering around.

Crip, Tsunami, Thunder, Nana, and Coco were late afternoon visitors until roost time.

Ferny Kat was sitting on ready to come out when we returned from our walk.  She spent the afternoon enjoying her outside time.  We built a campfire then called it a night.  Little did we know, this would be the last day of  Ferny Kat watch.

Sunday Pics:

In August 2005, we were not expecting to bring home a kitten from Fernwood Country Club.  Monday we were not expecting to wake up and find Ferny Kat dead.  A very sad day.  

 

Ferny Pics:

The afternoon, we took Robin on a tour of the North Gautier Unit.  We saw lots of cranes, deer, and other critters.  One unbanded Crane decided to put on a show, dancing for the ladies.  One of those ladies was Banana.  It didn't appear that any of the Gals were interested in his moves.

As we were riding around, we found Coconut hanging with 4 other friends.  As the Crane World turns.

 Monday Pics:

Tuesday we got our walk in.  We found the Pale Pitcher Plants starting to bloom on the Dees Trail.  After our walk, we went back to the trail and updated the plant markers.

We took a ride to check on the Beasley Eaglets.  On our way in, GREG was snacking on a fish.

A Gator was basking in the sun.

We also found a flock of Cedar Waxwing.  We have seen more of these on the refuge this year than ever before.

The Beasley Eagle family was doing well, with the youngsters standing tall in the nest while watching a parent fly away.

We enjoyed the flights of the American Kestrels, it won't be long until they are out of here.

It was quite lonely sitting outside this afternoon without Ferny Kat and the Cranes. 

Tuesday Pics: 

Wednesday, we took a stroll then prepped the VC for the reopening tomorrow.  We had a Bald Eagle fly over Crane Lane during our stroll.

It has been 2 long years since the VC has been opened.  We rolled up the broken shutter and washed the windows.  We dusted, vacuumed, and swept.  We are ready for the opening day tomorrow.

We strolled around the Dees Trail this afternoon, enjoying the flutters and blooms along the way.  We didn't see any cranes today, but did hear one this morning.

Wednesday Pics:

We had a pretty good first day of opening the Visitors Center on Thursday.  It was a soft opening with no hoopla, except for the HQ5 and a buddy flyover as we were heading in to open up.  Show offs!! 

  

Thursday Pics:

Friday and Saturday we manned the Visitor Center.  It was nice to talk with folks about one of our favorite subjects, the refuge.

Saturday morning, we finally got a couple of pics of the Swamp Sparrow that has been feasting at the Camp Crane feeder.

We saw the Crane Gang leaving the backyard when the boss, NV11 made an appearance at the HQ feeder this morning.  He will share his meal with the geese, but not fellow cranes.

Ole Crip came by for his yellow gold after everything settled down.

After we closed on Saturday, we went to check to see if the Beasley Eagles have fledged, they haven't. 

 

We saw Dougie's mate, 1510 foraging all alone in Bright's Pasture.  Hopefully, Dougie is on nest duty.

The Crane Circus was in full swing when we got to the North Gautier Unit.  We had to change our route when we found 7 Cranes blocking Valentine Road. 

 

After the road block cleared, we saw a Bald Eagle hanging around Valentine Pond.

We heard the Crane Commotion around 6 pm and found Quicksand and Thunder in the pen as their cohorts flew to their roost.  They were in panic mode trying to figure out how to go with their buddies.  After about 20 minutes, they came calling and flying right over the camper.  They finally figured it out.

Saturday Pics: