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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

I QUIT!!

Laughing out loud  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.

57 MS Sandhill Crane NWR42

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.  Smile with tongue out  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!  Open-mouthed smile

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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!)

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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

26 comments:

  1. You're right, I didn't know that about turtles! Interesting!! You're making me a smarter person! Thanks!!

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  2. thanks for the biology lesson on the 'turtles'..safe travels to you and Emma!..she looks kind of sad to be leaving??!

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  3. You should really enjoy all that time off, and I bet you will be ready to return to work by then. Safe travels.

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  4. I'll remember that and some day amaze someone by knowing how to tell if a turtle is male or female.

    Have a good last night.

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  5. I'm glad to know, finally, where you've been. I started following your blog only recently.

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  6. Just never know what I'm going to learn from your blog. The birds will sure be glad to see you next year with all that good food. Safe travels and pay attention to that weather.

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  7. Judy, you provide your blog friends with a wealth of knowledge every day. It seems as though you just got to that wildlife refuge and now it's already time to move on. I'll look forward to reading about your "play" time the next five months.

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  8. Love the picture of Emma, she looks so patient waiting for the attention she wants so bad.Be safe out there. Sam & Donna. Let us know when you will be heading toward Illinois.

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  9. All the best & safe travels ahead.

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  10. Thanks for the lesson on turtle biology ... always something new to learn. Safe travels.

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  11. Safe Travels to you and Emma. I will be looking forward to reading about your summer expedition(s).

    John
    relaxedrush.blogspot.com

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  12. Well well and most folks thought only little dogs were finicky, LOL! There is a dainty bone in her body...Emma looks adorable! Cheers! ~M

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  13. Thanks to you we learn something new everyday. Emma doesn't like to get wet!!! LOL. She is one smart cookie.

    Travel Safe
    Dawn and Denise

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  14. I'm new to your blog too, so I was also interested in looking up your location on the map. I so enjoy all of your photos and the tidbits of nature information. Looking forward to seeing where you go next!

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  15. Geez, who would have thought I would wake up to read blogs today and learn about turtle sex. It's a wonderful life. Have fun in your upcoming "retirement".

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  16. Safe travels.

    I didn't know that about turtles. Thanks for the education!

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  17. No, I didn't know that (about the turtle gender telling)... there's always something new to learn from you! :)

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  18. You certainly can tell you are a teacher -- always teaching me something new every day! Concerned about you & Emma with all the crazy weather out there, but I know you will be watching the sky! Take care & be safe!

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  19. How have I managed to live to this day and not know about Turtles?

    I think everyone who has ever had a job has dreamed of walking in to the boss and saying "I quit!!"

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  20. Doesn't Emma look innocent in that photo? I've seen her in action, so I know this is the other side of the coin. Keep your eye in the sky as you traverse up to IN. The devastation has been unbelievable to sticks and bricks, can't imagine how an RV would fare. Vaya con Dios, mi amiga!

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  21. Learn something new everyday! Can't wait to check that out for myself the next time I come across a turtle!

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  22. Beautiful picture of the jay, but you are right about them being noise makers. I saw several box turtles heading to higher ground today. Not a good sign for us, we are already water-logged. Be careful if you travel through In., Ill., or Kentucky. Roads are closed due to high water every where. Safe travels to you and Emma.

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  23. Boy the things I learn from you. I am afraid if I bring up my new knowledge about turtle mating details, I might be labeled some kind of pervert :)

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  24. I, for one, will be very disappointed and will be missing the beautiful unveiling of the flowers and newly visiting birds..... I hope they're as exciting in your new neighborhood!

    Safe, happy trails!

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  25. You asked about "winter hoses." We have 1 fresh water hose that we keep wrapped with heat tape and insulation that we use during the winter months when there is the chance of freezing. Rather than unwrapping it in the warmer weather when we are more likely to be moving more often, we drain it and store it in a bin in the basement.

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  26. Emma has such a sweet face, thanks for sharing that picture. I had never seen one of her up close before.
    Be careful out there on the roads, and have a safe trip.
    Happy Tails and Trails, Penny. TX

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