Anxious for sunny skies

The rain, as predicted, has continued just about all day today.  A gifted middle school group of about 25-30 students were scheduled to visit the refuge this morning, so I was up and out early to get the van ready.  Doug was going to talk to the kids at headquarters, Jay was going to take them on a nature hike, and I was going to take them in the van to find Mississippi sandhill cranes.  We would divide them into three groups, and rotate them through the activities. That was the plan, anyway.  They had traveled down to the coast from northern Mississippi for a couple of days of learning activities.  Their teacher and class had “adopted” a crane through the Friend’s Group adoption program, and they had asked to be shown their adopted crane.  Oh yea, fat chance of that!  These birds have wings, and are not kept in a zoo, you know. The crane they were interested in actually has chosen to reside in an area that is not accessible or anywhere near headquarters.  I would, however, endeavor to find some Mississippi sandhill cranes for them to observe.  (not an especially easy task at this time of the year)

 

The school group had spent the night in Ocean Springs, about ten miles from the refuge.  When we finally heard from them this morning, they reported having trouble finding the refuge, and ended up lost about an hour and a half north of us!  Needless to say, they decided to cancel their visit since they were almost half way home, and the rain was coming down.  Okay, scratch that plan. 

 

As a few hardy souls came to visit the refuge, it was decided that since I was ready to lead a tour, anyone that wanted a free tour to try to find some cranes could come with me.  Six folks piled into the van, and off we went.  The pressure was on since two of the visitor’s were Doug’s parents!  He also kind of set me up as he told folks that I was the Queen of cranes, at the moment, since I had found good numbers of cranes recently on all of my tours.   Thanks, Doug!  Even though there was a light rain outside, I was able to find two separate pairs of Mississippi sandhill cranes.  I set up the spotting scope at both sightings so everyone got a good view.  Phew!!

 

After operating the Visitor’s Center for the rest of the day, I returned to the rig just as the torrential downpour started.  We’ve had close to 2” of rain today, but the forecast for tomorrow is for sun.  Sunday is a non workday for us, so I’m hoping to pump up the canoe and take a paddle.

My brother, Carl, sent me an email today with this photo from 2005 attached.  That’s my inflatable.  This was it’s maiden voyage at Carl’s summer cottage in upper Wisconsin.  I took my mother, then 88, out on a little paddle on the lake.  As you may notice, she is probably giving me instructions on what I should do.  She was never one to keep her opinions secret from me.  That was a good weekend.  I especially remember that my sister-in-law, Denise, made Swedish pancakes for breakfast one morning.  I love Swedish pancakes, and don’t think I’ve had them since. 

 

Anyway, I’m anxious for a sunny day when I don’t have to work so I can take a little journey down the bayou…

 

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