MSCNWR - 5-1-22 - 5-7-22

We lounged around Sunday morning, just chilling.  On our way to our Orchid Safari at the Ocean Springs Unit, we were happy to see the Dougie Family is all well, although they weren't close enough for a good picture.

We searched several of the savannas that were burned 4 weeks ago, looking for our favorite, Calopogon multiflorus blooms.  Several hours later, with no luck, we called it. While we were out and about, we found 3 deer antler sheds, a cool turtle shell, and many more beauties along the way.

As we were trekking around, we saw 3 Deer running through the savanna.  That caused a couple of cranes to guard call.   We watched a pair of cranes across the savanna with behavior that made us think they had a baby or two, but we never could confirm.

I have been listening to the sound audio of a Bachman's sparrow in the visitors center for all these years.  Today, we heard that sound and was able to find the sparrow and get it's picture.  Listening to that sound over and over paid off. 

We took a detour to Fontainebleau Trail and got the counter stats.  We got the stats for the Crane Lane and Dees Trail, then relaxed at Camp Crane doing a little bit of arm chair birding.

Sunday Pics:

Monday, we were greeted by a Carolina Wren and Great Crested Flycatchers when we walked out of the camper.

We have a resident Red-headed Woodpecker that eats corn out of the HQ feeder regularly.  

We got the Bio boat out, cleaned it up and did some maintenance.  We took it for a test ride to the Eagles nest.  We had a nice ride on a beautiful day.

We strolled along the Dees Trail this afternoon enjoying all the pretties along the way. 

 

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we got the native plant garden watered and a few other chores done in the visitors center.  

While watering the garden, we watched 2 Northern rough-winged swallows building their nest above the front door.

We found a Downy Woodpecker bringing food to her nest along the Dees Trail while we were collecting the phenology data.  The nesting season is upon us.

Tuesday Pics:

Wednesday, Lauren took a stroll along the Dees Trail while waiting for me to get going.  He enjoyed the stroll except for the humidity.

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird was enjoying the Coral Bean in the native plant garden.  Our work is paying off.

We worked in the bookstore and got a few things done at the visitors center then did some more arm chair birding at Camp Crane.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday we mowed the grass at the visitors center and got a few other chores done.  

We walked around taking pictures while waiting for the Interns to get back to help them place the square traps in the DGF tanks. 

Another nester was found at the fire center, a Killdeer.

We saw a couple of jumpers while putting traps in the tanks.  It won't be long till we start processing frogs.

This afternoon, we were entertained at Camp Crane by a Fence Lizard doing pushups showing off his blue underbelly.  I think he has claimed his territory.

Thursday Pics:

Friday, we manned the visitors center.  It was a slow morning for visitation. This afternoon the pace picked up, about the time Lauren went to help the Interns with the DGF tank checks.  It was so good to talk to people that are interested in the refuge.

Lauren and the Interns came back with 4 DGF mets.  They were super excited.  Lauren, aka DGF Mentor, demonstrated the processing of the first frog of 2022!   Hefan and Madison looked like pros when they processed the other 3 frogs.  Team DGF is awesome.

Lauren took Robin and Annie on a refuge tour while I continued manning the visitor center.  I stayed busy talking with some really nice folks until closing time.

Friday Pics:

Saturday was another day of visitor center duty.  We had a great day of visitation with 54 visitors on this gorgeous day.  We have not seen a crane at the visitors center since Monday morning.  So after work, we went looking for them.  We had about 20 sightings on the South Unit and 20 sightings on the North Unit.  We definitely found them.

The Beasley Eagles were both in the nest chowing down. 

 

Crane 331 and her mate kept their younguns hid from us while we drove past the Beasley Crop Unit.

  

We saw a couple of cranes near the end of Ben Williams Rd and got a glimpse of their youngster.  We immediately turned around and let them be.

We climbed up in the blind at the Gautier Pen and found the Jabba crew.  The youngsters are growing by leaps and bounds.

   

Saturday Pics:

MSCNWR - 4-24-22 - 4-30-22

We went home Sunday for a couple of nights.  We had quite a bit of work to do, mowing the yard and getting the house spruced up.  It definitely needed attention.  After all, it has been over 4 months since we slept at Crossroads.

We stayed with Anita and Lucy for the next 3 nights.  Lauren had a boating class at Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge.  He thoroughly enjoyed his three - eight hour days getting his Motorboat Operators Course Certification.  The Crane Ranch Team, that included David and Dave, kicked butt.

During Lauren's lunch break, he got a little bit of nature chasing in.

During his 3 day class, he got to shoot flares and operate 5 different boats.  He had a blast!  

Anita and I thoroughly enjoyed our sister time, getting in some walks and nature watching.  Lucy was also very happy for all the extra attention she got.  Anita spoiled all of us with her wonderful hospitality.

Pictures:

We made it back to Camp Crane Thursday evening.  I had an Off Road Utility Vehicle class on Friday.  It was a lot of fun riding ATV's and UTV's, except for the dust.  It took me 2 years to finally get the course completed after doing my on-line training.

While I was in class, Lauren walked the Dees Trail.  He got quite a few lovely pictures.

We checked out the DGF tadpoles.  They are getting their hind legs. It won't be long, till we are letting them loose.

We were both wore out Friday and in need of a crane fix. We saw over 20 cranes in the North Gautier Unit.  The only ones we got a picture of was the Jabba family from the blind.  All the others were not in a picture taking mood.  The Colt Jolt was just what we needed to revive ourselves.

Friday Pics:

The masked bandit made a morning visit to camp crane.

We had a few visitors on Saturday at the Visitors Center.  Afterwards, we went to the crawfish boil at the fire center.  It was a nice afternoon, with good food, and good folks. 

Saturday Pics;

MSCNWR - 4-17-22 - 4-23-22

Happy Easter!  We checked on the Beasley Eagles and found one of them flying around and the other perched in a tree.   They are taking short flights but staying close to their nest.

The Crane Circus was in full swing at the North Gautier Unit.  We found Banana at the crop unit alone again and Coconut past the pen with a couple of friends.  Either they have fell out with each other or Nana may have a nest.  

We went hunting for orchids, (instead of Easter eggs 🐰), and found a few more Calopogon multiflorus blooms. 

Sunday Pics:

Monday, we made 2 loops around the Dees Trail rearranging the plant markers.

During our stroll along Crane Lane we helped a caterpillar safely cross the road.

We did a few chores around the visitors center then relaxed in the comforts of the lawn chairs at Camp Crane.

 

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we watched for cranes at the bownet trap with Scott, while the Interns were out in the field.  The only thing that showed up were 2 geese.  

We weedeated and blew off the concrete around HQ.  We opened the visitors center per Jereme's request at noon.  We thought we were going to have a busy day when we had 15 visitors by 1 pm, then no one else darkened the door.  

We relaxed a Camp Crane afterwards, doing some birdwatching.  It has been a busy day, working 6 am until 3 pm.

  

Tuesday Pics:

It has been over 2 years, but we had our first Crane Safari Wednesday for some nice folks from the Bon Secour NWR Friends Group.  As we were admiring the diverse plant life of the wet pine savanna, a Bald Eagle stole the show.  He was gliding in the wind about tree top high.

I told the group that the Ms. Sandhill Cranes were  lazy and didn't fly very long or very high.  That myth was busted when the first crane we saw got up in the wind drifts getting higher and higher.  

The Crane Circus was not in full performance today.  There were quite a few observed, but they did not stay around for a photo shoot.

We checked on the Dougie family before heading back to headquarters.  We thought there was only one colt, until today.  We saw 2 bundles of colt joy with their parents.  A great way to end a tour.  We got fed at the shed, then went to check on the tadpoles.

We made a Dees Trail and Crane Lane walk then relaxed at Camp Crane.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday, we had an impromptu crane safari for a couple of USFWS employees that were in the area for a conference.  As we were leaving, the HQ5 were right on cue showing up at the feeder for them to admire.

The Crane Circus was an awesome production at the North Gautier Unit.  We saw about 15 more cranes as we eased down the roads.

The ladies were very interested in the ecological system.  We were very interested in showing them our beautiful savannas.  We stopped a couple of times and walked around in the savannas.

The Jabba Family were right on cue.  We opened the windows of the blind and there they were.

The Dougie Family was under the shade tree close to the road.  They were so stinking cute walking through the clover.  I have named them Crimson and Clover.

On our way into the South Gautier Unit, we showed them one of the crane nests in Firetower Pond.  As we were looking, there was a glance of something looking like a chick, but we never could confirm.

We wrapped up the tour watching one of the Beasley Eagle fledglings sitting in a tree.  The enthusiasm the 4 of us had, resulted in a fabulous 3 hour tour.

Thursday Pics:

Friday, we joined the Interns for bownet watch.  We had 9 cranes show up.  We had 9 cranes skeddadle when a visitor walked up for a cell phone closeup.  Dang it!

Scott and the Interns confirmed that 2 chicks hatched on the Firetower nest.  So,we did see a colt.  

We spent the afternoon at Sheppard State Park.  We enjoyed the quiet nature trails looking at the pretty plants and the critters along the way.

Friday Pics:

We loaded up the pelts, some tear off sheets and headed to the Ocean Springs Earth Day event.  We spent the day telling people about the iNaturalist app and our wonderful refuge.  Two of our favorite subjects.

Jeff has been trying to get Jayce to ride a pedal bike for months with no luck.  Today, that changed when Lauren bribed him.

 

               

Saturday Pics: