Crane Ranch - 12-18-22 - 12-24-22

Sunday we went to Crossroads to winterize the house.  We had a marvelous time at Erica's for the Williams Family Christmas get together.  We had to use the gate code for our gated community when we returned Sunday night.

Monday morning, a Hispid Cotton Rat joined the Doves, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinches, Blue Jays, and Towhees at the feeder.

The HQ 10 hung around the visitor center for most of the day.  They are quite entertaining.

We were finally able to get some photos of the 2022 cohorts with the Crane Crossing sign in the background. 

 

We got the mileage and checked fire extinguishers at the visitor center.  We took some brochures to the Fontainebleau Trail taking the scenic route through Browns Trail.  Banana and Coconut were chomping down at the Browns Trail Pasture.  We always know it is them when they don't fly away.

After we returned, we wrapped pipes at Camp Crane in preparation for the upcoming cold weather.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we took Jake's Mom, Dad, and Brother on a tour of the refuge on this cold, rainy day.  They were greeted by the HQ crew when they arrived at the visitor center.

Banana and Coconut were right on cue, hanging out at North Valentine Savanna with cranes 2002, Milhouse, and 2005.

We saw a full bellied Cottonmouth on our way out of the refuge. 

The Power Family were a lot of fun and were very engaging on this 2-hour tour.

Tuesday Pics:

Wednesday, the Crane Tour fun continues.  We had 6 people on the tour.  Of course, the pressure to see cranes was off when the HQ 10 were present in the backyard when they arrived.

The cloudy day did not dampen the mood.  We had 31 crane sightings after we left the visitor center, along with a few other critters.

We saw what appeared to be our first Greater Sandhill Cranes of the season.  They were foraging along with a couple of Mississippi Sandhill Cranes.

Dougie and Family were foraging in Brights Pasture along with the cows.

All in all, we had 41 Sandhill Crane sightings.  Not a bad way to spend a cloudy day.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday, we were pleasantly surprised when Mayong, one of the FB recently released cranes, was hanging out in the backyard with the HQ 10.

                                       

  We went to FB pen to see if we could get a visual on Wyaluigi, her last remaining cohort. We climbed up in the blind and saw 5 cranes foraging in the savanna.  About a 150 yards from them were 2 coyotes.  Thankfully, the coyotes and the cranes were walking in opposite directions from each other.

  

We have a new claim to fame at the refuge, our first sighting of a live coyote on the refuge.

We made a ride through Browns Trail hoping to find Wyaluigi.  We found a bunch of cranes, but not the one we were looking for.

We went back to the FB pen with a spotting scope and verified that the cranes were the 2021 cohorts.  

We won't be able to find out where Wyaluigi is until Scott gets settled in over seas.

This afternoon, we loped limbs around HQ.  After a couple of loads, we called it quits and will work on it again another day.

Thursday Pics:

We received a message from Robin Friday morning, that Ember, one 2022 cohorts was limping and the other cranes were bullying her.  After watching her for a while, her gait improved. 
She got better as the day progressed.

Mayong is still hanging with the HQ 10.  We are hopeful that Wyalugi is ok wherever he is.

The high temperature for the day happened this morning.  We are dripping water in the hopes of preventing busted water pipes.  It has been in the 20's since this afternoon.

Saturday, we woke up with temps in the lower 20s on this Christmas Eve morning.  When the temperature got up to the mid 30's we took a quick walk.  We saw cranes walking toward the pen.  We realized why when we saw 8 people on the back porch watching them through spotting scopes.  

Crane Ranch - 12-11-22 - 12-17-22

It was a foggy start to the morning on Sunday, then the rain started.  When we went to get the keys for the truck, the HQ 10 were hanging around the building.  When we came back, they were still hanging around.  They have made this place home.

We didn't see the first crane on the South Gautier Unit, just a few deer and a few other birds. The critters must be hunkered down on this rainy day.

The North Gautier Unit was a little bit more active.  We saw several cranes out in the savanna.  We only took a few pics while we were out and about.  

Sunday Pics:

Monday morning, we had a smorgasbord of birds at Camp Crane. 

On our way to HQ the HQ 10 were hanging around.  It is so good to see these guys on a daily basis.

We did a little bit of piddling, getting the new bench installed on the Dees Trail.

After a Walmart run, we took a stroll along Crane Lane and the Dees Trail.  We found Pineland Daisies adorning Crane Lane.  Something we look forward to every year.

We also found a bunch of different mushrooms, some of them were along Crane Lane, but most of them were along the Dees Trail.

On the walk back to Camp Crane, we saw the 10-some still hanging around.  A couple of them were foraging on corn that was spilled from the bio truck, 2 were at the HQ feeder, and the others were foraging at the end of the building.  They are definitely making themselves home at the HQ.

A late afternoon crane fly bye and they were gone to roost for the night.  This never gets old!!

Monday Pics:

Tuesday I woke up hearing what I thought was the crane ring tone on my phone.  Instead, it was the sound of the HQ 10 in the backyard of HQ.  A great sound to wake up to.

We did a little bit of piddling, walked Crane Lane and the Dees Trail, then relaxed at Camp Crane.

Tuesday Pics:

The HQ 10 hung around all day again Wednesday.  They sure do fill up the back yard.

We got a little wet when we updated the plant markers on the Dees Trail, luckily the shower didn't last very long.

We made a few more deer buster feeders.  Our new design had to be modified again.  They changed the way they are making the duct caps.  We will have to figure something else out.

We stayed outside for most of the day, enjoying this warm, December day.  Tomorrow the weather turns cooler.

Thursday, on our way to HQ, some of the HQ 10 were crossing Crane Lane.  It took a few years, but Crane Lane is living up to it's name.

We had one person on the first Fall 2022 Crane Tour this morning.  Which is a great way to ease back into the tours.

We saw a few cranes and a few other species of birds during the tour.

One of the highlights of the tour was when one Eagle flew in and the other flew out swapping out nest sitting duties.

After we got back, Lauren got ole Billy Goat out and blew off Crane Lane while I made Christmas Candy. 

Thursday Pics:

Friday, we thought the cranes were not around when we went in to work.  We thought wrong.  They were near the front door, so to the backdoor we went.

While manning the visitor center, we worked in the native plant garden, taking plenty of breaks to talk with the nice folks that stopped by to visit.

Friday Pics:

Saturday morning we had a temperature of 50 when we woke up.  When we got back from the Crane Tour, the temperature had dropped to 47 with cloudy skies and a breeze.  Old man winter is back.

The 5 folks on the tour were greeted by the HQ 10 when they arrived.  

We saw a few cranes and a few other bird species during the tour.  One of the visitors asked how many different species of woodpeckers are on the refuge.  She had never heard of  the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  All of the sudden, what shall appear, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on a nearby tree.  He was right on cue.

After we returned, we did a fast walk on the Dees Trail collecting the phenology data, then hunkered inside for the rest of the day.  

On a very sad note, Samus, one of the recently released cranes at Fontainebleu was found dead.  RIP Samus.

Saturday Pics: 

Crane Ranch - 12-4-22 - 12-10-22

Sunday morning we were pleasantly surprised to find the HQ backyard full of cranes.  The 2021 & 2022 HQ crew snuck in on us.

Lauren took a stroll on this foggy morning, while I eased into the day. 

 

When we left for a refuge ride, the 10 Cranes were still hanging around headquarters.  

We saw 14 Cranes while riding around the North Gautier Unit.

The Dougie Family were doing well, foraging in Brights Pasture. 

We only saw 1 Crane that flew before we got close on the South Gautier Unit.  We confirmed the G15 nest is active today.  We will keep a watchful eye on it.

When we returned the Cranes had moved to the pen.  They seemed to be getting along just fine.  

It was another Sunday Funday.

Sunday Pics:

We had another yard full of cranes at HQ on this Monday morning.  Some of the 2021 and all of the 2022 HQ crew.  They stayed around for most of the day.

We saw a Golden-crowned Kinglet outside the camper window while we were eating our lunch today.

We went and picked up the Ox Wagon from the shop and got her ready for a maiden tour.  We took Rebecca, Tom, and some of his family on a North Gautier tour.  We saw a few notable birds and 17 Sandhill Cranes while we were riding around.  A great time was had by all.

We got back, relaxed at Camp Crane, then called it a day. 

Monday Pics: 

Tuesday, we watched the fire crew taking their pack test. They walk 3 miles in 45 minutes or less with a 45 pound vest.  These guys and gals are in shape. 

We went with Scott, Teresa, and Jake to set up the bow net at the North Gautier Pen.  We did a little bit of clearing so we can hide in the woods and wait on Jabba, Dabba, and Dad to show up so we can catch and band them.   

The afternoon, we made a much needed run to Sam's, something that we have been talking about doing for weeks.  

Wednesday morning the cranes were back at HQ.

The Pileated Woodpecker was drilling out his nest in a tree near the Dees Trail.

A Red-shouldered Hawk was hanging around the fire center.  He has been a frequent visitor.

We went to McClelland's retirement party at the bunkhouse.  We had plenty of good food and good folks that had a lot of nice things to say about him.  He will surely be missed.

Tuesday/Wednesday Pics:

Thursday, we got the boat out, cleaned it up, and took it for a ride on the river.  We saw some cool critters along the way.

After we checked on the eagle nest and confirmed that it was active we turned around and headed back to Camp Crane.

After lunch, we checked on the eagle nest at Whitetop Pasture and found it active as well.

We had 10 of the HQ releases fly down the bayou then circle back over Camp Crane before heading to the North Gautier Unit for their roost.  They were quite striking with the sun reflection on them.

Thursday Pics:

Friday we worked in the visitor center.  The HQ 10 were foraging in the front of the visitor center when we opened.  After a bit, they literally flew the coup.

Friday Pics:

Saturday, the HQ 10 were enjoying the corn at the feeder when we opened the visitor center.  They stayed around for most of the day.

Around lunch time, we saw a couple of eagles tussling as they flew over the savanna.  The point was made and one of them left the area. 

Saturday Pics: