This morning started out with a fairly brief orientation to the refuge, since this is my fourth tour of duty. As this refuge continues to recover from hurricane Ike, some things do change.
I’ve never been here in Oct/Nov, and there hasn’t been much rain for the last couple of months, so the pond outside the Visitor’s Information Center (VIS) has really dwindled in size. That makes things perfect for young white ibis, white-faced ibis, and snowy egrets to search for food.
After a farewell luncheon for fellow volunteers, Sue and Dave, five of us met at headquarters to do further work on developing the outdoor education programs for visiting schools to the refuge. All of the education program materials were lost in the hurricane. Stephanie and I worked on them last year while I was here for a brief time, but it’s always helpful to have more minds working on these programs. That took up the whole afternoon, and I was tired by the end of the session.
After getting back to the rigs, several of us met outside to enjoy the early evening at the picnic table on the site I didn’t move into. Four of us enjoyed a ‘happy hour’ chatting about the day’s happenings. A cold front is moving through today, the winds have changed, the humidity has dropped, and how nice it was to spend some time with three other people that are interested in birds! Cattle have been moved into the marshes surrounding us, and the cattle egrets were doing their thing…following the cattle. That bridge in the background is about nine miles away, and leads to High Island, a birder’s hot spot in this country.
The skies were filled with many flocks of returning geese today. The storms up north, and the approaching cold front have sent them on their way down to Anahuac. These are snow geese, but we also saw many flocks of white-fronted geese. Lots of people today were looking to the skies and saying “They’re back!” The rhythm of life goes on, and for everything there is a season. Snow geese, snowbirds…hmmm. Tis the season!
A yellow-rumped warbler even stopped by in the one tree at the RV sites to say hello. I guess winter is on it’s way.
Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later, Judy
I just love the way geese fly in formation, and your photo captures it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteGood blog, Judy. I am sure you will make a valuable addition to the volunteer staff.
ReplyDeleteSo that's where our geese went, we are hoping to follow their trails in the sky very soon!!
ReplyDeleteOur sky's are alive these days with flocks of Canada geese working out their final flight patterns before heading south. They might be heading your way but I think a lot of our geese may head for the Chesepeake Bay area.
ReplyDeleteI love it when the geese come through. Its not such a happy moment for my family in Upstate NY since its a sign that winter is knocking on their doorstep.
ReplyDeleteEvery fall, we mark the time when the geese arrive here on the island and do the same in the spring when we see our first robin. I call my family up north and we compare previous years and the length of time between the migration and their full blown winter or summer. It's usually less than 30 days.
We have no particular reason to do that, it's just interesting. lol
Take care, enjoy this gorgeous weather.
Connie
I like the picture of the cattle and the birds in flight. Your pictures are just amazing. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBraver than I would be getting so close to that big guy yesterday. Nice pictures of all the birds Looks like you are at a place you love. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love it that geese are monogamous. Love how you captured them in flight. Nice! Kathy
ReplyDeleteLove the shot of the geese!
ReplyDeleteOur Canadian Geese are moving South, too. Do they know something we don't?? Glad you are all settled into familiar surroundings...
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