Since Retiring

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Back at the Ranch - 3-10-24 - 3-17-24

Sunday we left Crossroads and went to Island View for a couple of nights. Lauren got lucky and won $150 in the slot tournament. I think they missed us.

Monday, we rode along the beach taking in the sights.

Visited a Great Blue Heron rookery, that had a Great Horned Owl's nest.

Hiked around the Clower-Thornton Nature Area.

Monday Pics:

Tuesday, we made it back to the Ranch.

We found some pretty blooms and butterflies on our walk along the Dees Trail and Crane Lane.

We walked to the DGF tanks to check out the tadpoles.

We enjoyed our 2 hour stroll doing a little bit of nature chasing and talking with folks.

Tuesday Pics:

Wednesday morning, we attended the staff meeting then talked with some engaging folks in the visitor center. Spring Break has this place hopping!

The afternoon was spent working on the interpretive sign project and getting the boat ready for her ride tomorrow. It has been a long 8 hour day.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday was boating day!! Athena was our captain, and Lauren was the co-captain. We saw a deer swimming across the bayou right off the bat, but was not able to get a picture.

The nature sightings continued when we saw a Limpkin in the grassy marsh along the bayou. A first iNaturalist sighting on the refuge!

We saw lots of Ospreys hanging around their nests.

We saw a Bald Eagle on a limb near the nest that was thought to be no longer active. When we came back by, another Eagle was in the nest hopefully feeding a youngster. We have hope!

We had a fabulous 4 hour boat ride with lots of critter sightings along the way.

The afternoon was spent talking with the many visitors that stopped by.

Thursday Pics:

Some of the HQ crew were feasting on this foggy Friday morning. Our task for the morning was to do an Escatawpa Trail recon for the interpretive sign project.

We saw a Belted Kingfisher near the Bayou Heron launch.

The recon was enhanced by the several blooms and butterflies along the Escatawpa Trail.

We got one picture of the many birds that we heard singing.

We assembled the interpretive signs in record time and worked in the visitor center this afternoon talking to the few folks that came by.

Friday Pics:

Saturday we spent our day off getting about 4 miles of walking in, hanging out at our favorite refuge.

Saturday Pics:

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Back at the Ranch - 3-6-24 - 3-9-24

We made it back to the Crane Ranch Wednesday. We are camped right dab in the middle of Camp Crane. We have a view of the bayou and Crane Lane. Although the view of the bayou is limited.

Three of the HQ Crew were hanging out under the blind in the shade this hot afternoon.

We visited the G15 Eagle nest to get a few pictures before they get their bling tomorrow. One of the parents was perched in a nearby tree, looking majestic as always.

The Eaglets were laying down in the nest. It is a much better view since the removal of a limb last year.

The Yellow Jasmine and Confederate Rose were in bloom along Beasley Road.

We heard the elusive sound of the cranes in the backyard this evening. 6 of the HQ gang were strutting in the backyard then down the middle of Crane Lane. We heard them for about an hour. What a way to be welcomed back!!

We had a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker visit in Camp Crane this afternoon.

Wednesday Pics:

Thursday was Eagle Banding Day! A day that we get to hold an Eaglet. A great way to start our first day of this volunteer gig.

We had the resident herd of deer at Camp Crane this morning.

On our drive into the refuge, an alligator was hanging out at Firetower Pond.

We spent the afternoon manning the visitor center and talking with some great folks.

Thursday Pics:

Friday morning we got the plant markers along C. L. Dees trail updated. The Southern Coastal Violets and the Primrose-leaved Violets are in full bloom.