I QUIT!!

  Okay, so today was my last day of work at Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge.  I generally like to quit before they say you're fired!  The firing or quitting are all in fun, but I must admit that it’s always liberating to put in my last day, and know I’ll soon be on the road again.  I’ve committed to return to this refuge next year, so my leaving will only be temporary.

As I was opening the rear doors to the Visitor’s Center this morning, I noticed this box turtle traversing the patio out back.  Since Bruce was starting to mow the back yard, we put this female box turtle in a box and brought her inside.  She was not especially happy about that, and let us know by leaving an unbelievable amount of sh#* (excrement) in the box.    You may be wondering how I knew this was a female turtle.  Well, you pick them up, turn them over, and look at the bottom plate under the carapace.  If it is level, it’s a female.  If it has an indentation, it’s a male.  The ‘dent’ allows the male to mount the female and mate.  Bet you never thought about that! 

Once I the work day was over, I headed back to the rig to do a few more pack up chores.  Since the hummingbird feeder was empty, I took it in and will wash it up and pack it away.  Several hummers came to the spot where it had been located.  I imagine they were shocked to have it gone, but there are enough flowers blooming now to take care of their needs.

There was a real downpour this morning with about an inch of rain.  I knew I should have packed up my outside rug on Sunday!  I’ve draped it over the community outside furniture in hopes it will dry out before tomorrow afternoon.  With the high humidity around here, that is questionable.

I had two new visitors to the Hard Rock Bird Café today.  A female rose-breasted grosbeak and a blue jay.  The jays have been around since the day I arrived, but this is the first time one has ventured into the feeder.  Jays holler a lot, but really are more bark than bite. 

With all the rain we had today, and my taking up of the outside rug, Emma resorted to lying on the seat of the picnic table.  She just doesn’t like to get wet.  I’m thinking she will enjoy the fact that I won’t be working for at least the next 5 months.  (so will I!)

In another 36 hours, I’m going to blow this popsicle stand!  Slow and steady may win the race, but I’ll be out of here like a hare!!

 

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