Monday Meanderings

My friends and fellow volunteers, Fonda and Denny, had a very long day trip planned for today so I told them I would be more than happy to babysit their 11year old miniature poodle, Brandy.  It really didn’t involve much work on my part.  I just took Brandy out to do his business several times throughout the day.  Being just a wee little thing, and being up in years, that only entailed going for very short walks.  He barked the whole way each time, as little dogs do.  I must say it was a real treat not to have a dog whose mission was to pull my arm out of it’s socket in pursuit of the numerous squirrels!  (Are you listening Emma?)

After running a few errands in town, I decided to go have a look at Shepard State Park which is in the town of Gautier, MS.  So, it’s only a couple of miles from the refuge.  After talking to them at the entrance station, and telling them that I was a volunteer on the refuge, they waived the daily entrance fee for me since I was just doing a drive through to see what the park had to offer.  This sign really hit a chord with me as I drove the few roads.

 

They have about 20 miles of hiking trails in the park through the piney woods.  I also wanted to check out the campsites for future reference.  Unlike up north with 14 day camping limits, this state park has a 90 day limit before you have to change campsites.  There are only 28 sites, and they are spaced so you have plenty of privacy.  There is a dump station, but sites offer only electric and water.  The monthly rate for seniors is $270 including electricity.  It’s a very quiet safe park, and I’d consider staying there some time in the future. 

Just a couple of minutes ago, as I was writing this post, I heard a scuffling outside in the woods.  Aha!  Here are the culprits!  It’s not a good photo, but certainly proof that there are at least two marauding raccoons!  I have been taking down two of my three feeders each night at sunset the last few nights.  I’ve left out the Niger seed feeder, as that hasn’t been bothered.  Those little bandits!  They’ve bent the post on one of the refuge feeders, and hauled off that feeder to places unknown.  I’m in charge of keeping those feeders supplied, and was shocked yesterday to see the one post bent halfway to the ground and the feeder missing in action.  Between the squirrels and the raccoons, I’ve got my hands full.

As soon as I put my feeders back out each morning, the American goldfinches fly right in. 

A few Eastern towhees have also discovered the free lunch at the Hard Rock Bird Café, but they’re hard to get a good picture of as they scratch for food amongst the grasses and pine needles on the forest floor.

On our hike around the Dees nature trail today, I decided to take a picture of one of the signs. (click to enlarge)  Headquarters is located in the bottom left, and you can see the bayou to the left where the RV pads are located.  That’s where I’ll launch my inflatable to try to paddle up to Grasshopper Point.

I’m waiting for the winds to calm and the temps to rise a bit, after the latest cold front, to give this a try.  Emma, with her wild ways and dislike of water, will NOT accompany me on those paddles. 

 

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