Crane Ranch - 7-30-23 - 8-5-23

 Sunday, Lauren got the yard mowed and did a little bit of photography while I took care of some household chores.  He got some pretty cool shots.

Sunday Pics:

We had a couple of Hummingbirds enjoying the nectar when we got back to the Crane Ranch on Monday. It was nice to see them sharing for a change.

We took a stroll along the Dees Trail then tried to stay cool for the rest of the evening.  These temperatures are brutal.

Monday Pics:

We were on the lawnmowers cutting grass by 8 am Tuesday.  We were pleasantly surprised that even though the temperatures were in the 90's, it was not unbearable. 

This afternoon, Lauren weathered the sweltering temps and took an afternoon stroll getting a few shots.

Tuesday Pics:

We got another early start on Wednesday, (at least for us), and got the weed-eating done.  The day was a lot hotter than yesterday, but we made it.

This afternoon, some of the HQ Crew were hanging out in the shade trying to beat the heat.  Mist got into the water tub to cool off.   Pretty smart!

Wednesday Pics:

We had an early morning bownet watch at the South Gautier Pen with Bio.  When we arrived a crane flushed from the pen.  It must have alerted the others that we were there.  We stayed for over 2 hours and did not see anymore cranes.  

Afterwards, we spent our time getting the bookstore organized in the comforts of the a/c.  Lauren went out in the heat and took a few pictures.  It was so hot and muggy the camera fogged up.

Thursday Pics:

We worked on getting some stuff moved back into HQ and did a little bit of maintenance at the bunkhouse on Friday.  We were finally able to get back on the fws web site to check our emails and catch up our training.  We are slowly but surely getting things back in order.

Lauren took a stroll along Dees Trail while I packed for our night at the casino with Anita.  Lauren and I were pretty lucky this time.  I played until I was bored and came out $80 ahead.  Lauren played on his favorite machine for hours and came back to the room around 11ish ahead $900,  Cha-ching!! 

Friday Pics:

Saturday, we made a Sams run on our way back to the Crane Ranch.  We were only going to buy a couple of things.  Those couple of things turned into a lot more. 

We went to 3 different Mexican restaurants for lunch.  The first one had a fund raiser going on and there were too many people around.  The second one was permanently closed.  By the time we got to the third one, we were starving.  We should have just ate the buffet at the casino and been done.

The HQ Gang was hanging around in the shade and panting on this hot afternoon.  It has been one hot week!!

Saturday Pics:

Crane Ranch - 7-23-23 - 7-29-23

We heard the cranes calling Sunday morning as we were drinking our coffee.  Coffee and Cranes are a great way to start the week.  It was almost noon when we finally headed to the Dees Trail.  We have been talking about the Hummingbird Moths and were pleasantly suprised to spot a couple along the trail enjoying the phlox. This is by far, our favorite moth.

Sunday Pics:

Monday we took a ride to Grand Bay then stopped at a few of the gates to pick up litter.  While we were out, we checked on 2006 and RH 20 that hang near the airport in Moss Point. 

 

While I tallied up volunteer timesheets, Lauren took an afternoon stroll along the Dees Trail.  He found several insects enjoying the blooms, including another Hummingbird Moth that put on a show.

Monday Pics:  

Tuesday we had Herbicide training.  We learned a lot in this 5 hour class.

We took an afternoon Dees Trail stroll. We were hoping that the pollinators would be active on this hot afternoon,  but that was not the case.

Tuesday Pics:

Wednesday, we rode around and picked up litter, put the repaired Fontainebleau Trail counter back in place. While we were out and about we got a few crane observations.

We saw the Sunplex family along the edge of the woods along Highway 57.  The youngster really stood out with all it's yellow bling.  Hopefully they stay near the woods and don't walk across the road.

We saw a youngster way out in Valentine Savanna.  We hope this is Milhouse and 2005 colt. 

 

We also saw the Ocean Springs pen family fly.  So good to see 3 youngsters still alive and well.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday we took the day off.  We started the day with a late morning stroll along Crane Lane then walked the Dees Trail.  It sure is a hot one again today.

The rest of the day was spent inside under the comfort of the ac.

Thursday Pics:

Friday we spent the day moving stuff back into the visitor center and bookstore.  While we were doing this, some of the HQ Crew came by for a snack.

Friday Pics:

Saturday, we loaded up and headed to Crossroads for a couple of nights.

Crane Ranch 7-16-23 - 7-22-23

It was another hot Sunday in South Mississippi.  We braved the heat and got a stroll in along Crane Lane and the Dees Trail this morning.  The birds were not very active in this heat.  Although we did see an Eastern Bluebird with his breakfast on Crane Lane.

The blooms along the Dees Trail are beginning to pick up, attracting not only our attention, but the pollinators and other insects.  We got a new for us species on iNaturalist, Funeral Duskywings.  A couple of them were pornographic!

We got back and stayed inside for most of the day trying to stay cool. 

Sunday Pics: 

Monday I helped out a bit at the visitor center with the contractors that were making bids on future projects, then joined Lauren for a mowing expedition.  Jake filled the HQ feeder while were mowing.  In just a bit, Quicksand came to the feeder and ate some corn.  These cranes love their yellow gold!

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we got ole Billy Goat out and blew the debris off the roads.  Spending yesterday cutting grass then blowing debris off the road has got this place looking good.

This afternoon, I supervised Lauren while he got some more bushhogging done at the North Gautier Unit.  Afterwards, we headed to Island View for a couple of nights to celebrate Anita's birthday.  We didn't win any money, but we had an awesome time hanging around in the room.  Anita put on quite the show dancing on the bed.  She's still got it at 68 years of age!

Wednesday, Jackie and Randy met us at the casino.  It was good to see them.  We all did a little bit of gambling .  Lauren and I both won some and lost some, but were able to play for a bit and were quite entertained when the machines were hitting.  Anita, Lauren, and I had another fun time in the room, getting usies of our matching shirts, singing, dancing, and laughing. 

Casino Trip 

Thursday, we got back to the Crane Ranch and got some more bushhogging done at the North Gautier Unit.  We were greeted by Delores and his mate when we entered the unit.

After Lauren got off of the tractor we did a road survey and found a photogenic Red-shouldered Hawk.

When we returned to the Browns Trail Pasture that Lauren just finished bush hogging, Banana, Coconut, and unbanded were foraging in the freshly cut grass. 

 

We got back and did some critter watching at Camp Crane.

Thursday Pics:

Friday, we cut grass at Camp Crane then finished up the bushhogging at the North Gautier Unit.  

3 Cranes flushed as we entered the gate. They were quit vocal as they flew a short distance and landed in the savanna.

Lauren did well cutting grass along the tree lined road and not tearing up anything.  It was a little bit nerve racking, (at least for me), when he drove across the narrow, swiss cheese dam.  Whew, no cave ins!!

After we finished, we checked out the bling bling on the Rock Hill twins.  It won't be long until they fledge.

Some of the HQ crew were hanging around in the back yard when we returned. 

Friday Pics: 

We got a stroll in along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane on this hot, humid, Saturday morning.  At least we had a hot breeze blowing.  Us and the pollinators are enjoying the blooms.  The blooms on the trail get prettier every day.

We made a trip to Wally World then spent the rest of the day inside.  When it finally cooled off enough to get outside, we had thunderstorms.  Not a problem, we needed the rain.

Saturday Pics: