Working the VIS

I had to set the alarm last night to insure that I’d wake up in time to work the VIS today.  It was a good plan than went awry.  Turns out I didn’t increase the volume enough on the radio alarm for it to wake me up.  :(  So, I had to do a little bit of scrambling to get out of here on time!

The picture on the left is from last year and shows some of the results of hurricane Ike on the old VIS.  The force of the winds and ocean surge took out some of the walls and all of the pictures windows and the door (and everything inside).  The picture on the right shows how refuge staff and volunteers have transformed the remains into a usable gazebo.  It offers a protected view of the small pond and a place to have a picnic lunch.

For a year and a half, this has been the temporary location of the VIS.  Let me tell you that it is pretty cramped in there!  It’s just really one of those little sheds you’d put up in your back yard.

This is the construction of the new VIS that is going on about 100 yards to the left of the previous photo.  It was scheduled to be completed by Oct. 1, 2010, but you know how government stuff goes.  :)  Now we’re hoping it will open by February!   This time, the VIS will be up on stilts.  Hopefully that means it would survive another hurricane.  The building on the right will be the new bathrooms.  That should be a great improvement over what is now available.  I had hoped to work in the new VIS while I was here this year, but I’m guessing that won’t happen.

 

I had a whopping 22 visitors today, but did do over $300 in sales.  That sure beats the $2.00 we took in last Sunday!  I bring my computer with me, and surprisingly can get half way decent reception for my air card.  That really helps a nine hour day go by much faster while being cooped up in that little building.

It was a nice warm morning when I arrived at the VIS, and there were quite a few shorebirds working the half dried out pond behind the building.  By the time I got everything set up and running, the winds had really kicked up out of the southwest, and the birds took off leaving this lone white-faced ibis. 

 

It was shirt sleeve weather today until about ten minutes ago.  The winds have made an abrupt change and are now buffeting the rig out of the north.  That will bring cooler temps, and I’m guessing less visitors for my work stint tomorrow.  :(  Guess I’ll just tuck in and watch the annual broadcast of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ that’s playing on NBC tonight…

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy