Crane Ranch 11-6-22 - 11-12-22

Sunday morning, the loud and proud family were visiting the HQ feeder. A great way to start the week.

We strolled along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane before going to Fontainebleau Pen for a time budget study of the Audubon Cohorts.  When we opened the blind, we heard a Bald Eagle and saw a Killdeer, an Osprey, and a Belted Kingfisher.

 

We must have got there for bath time.  All 3 Cranes got in the tubs and took a bath while we were doing the study.  Very entertaining.

We took the short cut through Browns Trail on the way back.  We saw a Bald Eagle, a Fox Squirrel, and several Cranes.  The Cranes did not hang around for a photo.

Sunday afternoon, we did a time budget on the White Oak Cohorts.  It took about twice the amount of time to do the study when the cohorts disappeared in the pond for about 30 minutes.

When we started closing the windows of the blind, we realized NV11, 337, and NR22 had snuck in on us.  They eased out into the savanna then headed north.

The rest of the afternoon was spent, relaxing at Camp Crane.  This time change had us in a lot earlier than usual.

Sunday Pics:

The NV11 family was at the feeder when we got out and about Monday morning.  

The pollinators were enjoying the sunflowers as Lauren was heading to the Dees Trail.  I joined him later for a stroll along Crane Lane.

The rest of the day was a take it easy kind of day.

Monday Pics:

We woke up early and checked out the blood moon Tuesday morning.  Tom and Rebecca were out before we were.  It was neat to watch.

We lounged around camp until late morning, then took a stroll along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane seeing a few critters along the way.

This afternoon, we did a little bit of work, then relaxed at Camp Crane.  This is the first day in a while that we haven't seen cranes in the backyard of HQ.  We sure are missing them!

Tuesday Pics:

Wednesday, we had a nice relaxing day with people trickling in and out of the visitor center.  We also had another day of no cranes visiting in the back yard.

The pollinators were all a-buzz in the native plant garden again today.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday morning, Lauren walked the Dees Trail.  I was lazy and eased into the day.

The HQ Crew minus Tsunami hung around the backyard of the visitor center. It is so good to see them back.

We replaced a board at the Fontainebleau Trail and a few other piddly things, then relaxed at Camp Crane.

Late afternoon, the HQ crew, (minus Tsunami), made a chirp as if they were saying good night as they flew down the bayou heading towards the North Gautier Unit.

Thursday Pics:

Friday morning, we had 3 of the HQ crew hanging around the visitor center.  They stayed for most of the day.

We strolled along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane then went for a drive to Pascagoula.  We saw a few notable birds.

We were ready for another stroll when we returned after eating at Rosy's Mexican Restaurant.  The food was good, but oh so filling.

We saw a few Waxy things along the stroll, a Ruby-crowned Kinglet eating wax myrtle seeds and Cedar Waxwings hanging in the curve of Crane Lane.

 

We relaxed under the Oaks in front of the visitor center then under the oaks at Camp Crane until dusk.

Friday Pics:

We had 12 visitors on this 12th day of November.  We also had 7 cranes hanging around when we opened up this morning.  There were 2 unbanded cranes near the pen and the HQ 5 foraging all over the place.  The HQ 5 stayed all day.

We saw a Monarch and a few bees in the native plant garden before the Noreaster hit.  It was nice this morning, then it clouded up, had a little bit of rain, and a cold north wind blowing.  What a difference a few hours makes in South Mississippi.

As we were sitting in with the heaters on inside the camper, we heard the grunt of the HQ 5.  We looked out the window and saw them flying above the bayou heading to the North Gautier Unit.  

Saturday Pics:

Crane Ranch - 10-30-22 - 11-5-22

The morning call of the elusive sandhill crane was heard while drinking our coffee at Camp Crane Sunday morning.  This never gets old.

Banana never showed up yesterday, but decided to rejoin the usual herd of 10 that has been hanging around the visitor center today. 

 

We took a ride to the Ocean Springs Unit.  The grass was taller than we have ever seen, which made critter sightings challenging, but we did manage to get a few shots of birds that were flitting around the edges of the road.

We made a much needed stroll on the Dees Trail to pick up signs for the plants that are no longer in bloom, which was most of them. 

We did a little bit of weed-eating and loping, then did a little bit of arm chair birding at Camp Crane.  It has been another Sunday-Funday.

Sunday Pics:

Monday, the HQ 5 were in the back yard when Lauren took an early morning stroll along the Dees Trail.

 

We got the plant markers updated on the Dees Trail and a few other piddly things done, then went with Scott and the Interns to Fontainebleau for the last minute prep of the crane pen.  

We took a stroll on the red loop of the Fontainebleau Trail to check out the new gravel that has been placed on the trail.  The critter chasing was none existent.  We didn't take the first picture.  

We decided to get our exercise pushing the Billy Goat along Crane Lane to remove all the straw that has fallen over the last few days.

  

Theresa and Jake showed up late evening with the kayaks.  They wanted to do something special for Halloween, so paddling they went.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday was the Audubon Cohort release day.  There are now 3 cranes acclimating for release at the Fontainebleau Pen.  Afterwards, we went to lunch with the group at The Shed.  We don't eat there very often, but when we do, it is always good.

Before leaving the refuge this morning, we had the 10 Crane Circus going on in the back yard of HQ.  All the sudden, things changed when RH20 flew in.  There was a couple of cranes that laid out on the ground then the kicking began.  There was quite a ruckus going on for a bit.  

Tuesday Pics:

The Crane Circus was in full swing when we opened up the visitor center Wednesday morning.  This is the first Wednesday that we have been opened since the pandemic. 

 

After lunch, we took Alexis and Matthew on a tour of the refuge.  Banana and Coconut had joined 2002 and were foraging at the Gautier Pen crop unit.  These guys get around. 

 

It was 81 degrees on this fall day, which was not conducive for a lot of critter sightings.  

The White Oak Cohort group got here around 3ish for their release in the HQ Pen.  The process went smooth and we were finished with 6 Cranes in the time that it took for 3 Cranes yesterday. 

 

The HQ 5 did a fly over after we left the pen.  As the Crane World Turns!

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday was a laid back kind of day for us and the Crane Circus.  I believe the corn feeders have been filled at the North Gautier Unit.

Thursday Pics:

Friday morning, we had a leisurely walk along Crane Lane and the Dees Trail. 

 

Friday, afternoon, NV11 and family were at the feeder when we left to do a time budget for the Fontainebleau Pen Cohorts. 

 

When we got to the Fontainebleau Blind and saw all the wasps that were swarming inside, we took a picture of the cohorts, then continued on our way.

We took the short cut through Browns Trail on the way home.   It was much more scenic than the main highways, seeing a Great Blue Heron, a Merlin, Wood Ducks, a couple of Cranes and 3 Bald Eagles.

Friday Pics:

Saturday Mist was the only Crane that was hanging around the HQ feeder today.  He decided to continue the Crane Circus by landing on top of the netted acclimation pen.  He seemed chilled out with both legs through the netting watching the cranes in the acclimation pen. He literally was hanging out with his new friends. After a bit, he flew toward the North Gautier Unit.  What a show!

The rain set in after lunch.  We really needed this good soaking rain. 

Saturday Pics: