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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, March 5, 2011

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. Surprised smile  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.

CP-1-034My 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.  Smile 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 

16 comments:

  1. That's a great picture of you and your Mom, look's like she was having fun, it reminds me of taking my Mom for her first motorcycle ride on my Harley when she was in her late 60's, she was squealing and giggling like a little girl and made sure I took her by all the relatives places so they could see her. memories like that are great. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  2. Great pic of you & Mom. I don't know any 88yo that would even get in an inflatable...lol. Rain is heading our way tomorrow...I like rain but can get tired of it pretty quickly when it lasts all day.

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  3. You had better make yourself some Swedish pancakes right away. Queen of Cranes--another new title for the Bird Lady of Blogland. I like it!

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  4. Queen of Cranes! Do the birds know they have a new Monarch?

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  5. SUPREME QUEEN OF THE CRANES...YOU ARE IT!! Great pics of your mom and you....Keep on Craning to see those birds!!

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  6. I'm anxiously awaiting sunny skies myself so I can get out and do some birding. At least I have a Great Blue Heron who visits my yard often.

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  7. We have lots of sun here in the desert, but not too many places for kayaking thats for sure!

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  8. Drat! The picture of you and your mom doesn't show up for me. I miss half the pictures that folks mention in their blogs - it has to have something to do with LiveWriter.

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  9. That picture is a keeper! How wonderful!

    I like kayaking, but if I had to choose between a sunny place and a place to kayak, it will be the former. I can't live without regular, abundant sunshine. :)

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  10. what a wonderful picture! my Mom was just like yours ~ fully sharing in the opinion department!

    my yahoo page told me about a tornado in Mississippi! they just seem to be following you around all over the place!

    hope you get to have your paddle tomorrow!

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  11. I enjoyed your picture and story of you and your mom (and the Swedish pancakes too). We are expecting the rain you had yesterday; I think they are advertising 1 to 2 inches.

    John
    relaxedrush.blogspot.com

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  12. I to like the picture of you and your mom and at 88 that's great.

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  13. What a wonderful memory. Those school kids really missed out on a wonderful opportunity which is too bad. Especially since the Queen of the Cranes was in charge.

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  14. It is always nice to bring back old memories. Hope the sun comes out and you get some paddling in soon.

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  15. That's a lot of rain for one day...no wonder you want some sun. Loved the photo of you and your mom...one can only hope to be so adventerous at that age.

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  16. I sadly watched all that rain completely miss us. I worked hard and fast yesterday, mixing dirt, bumping up some of the coral vines, working on the brush pile, digging up goldenrod, planting plants, etc, and then drove 120 miles to take a rapture ID class.

    But I finally had to go out and start planting willows and buttonbush in water. I also had to chop a place for one buttonbush in the cattails in the VIS pond. It was kind of fun wading in my canoeing boots and squishing the mud between my fingers as I tried to get it to go back together around the plants.

    What little rain is supposed to still be around may fall tonight and tomorrow is supposed to be dry. So I guess I'll not get to sleep in tomorrow either.

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