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Borrego Springs, CA

Monday, March 11, 2013

Catching up

With the grandgirls and their parents here for the weekend, I didn’t have the time or the inclination to blog.  I felt it was just better to enjoy!  So, tonight I’ll cover our boat trip out into the swamp that we all did on Saturday.

71 Okefenokee NWR 2012-1344

It was a 90 minute boat ride that truthfully didn’t hold much interest for either Avery or Phoebe; just too young I guess.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and I always see something new each time I take this tour.

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The season has progressed enough that the red-shouldered hawks have begun to nest.  We floated past two active nests, but these tour guides aren’t photographers so you don’t get much of a chance to get a good shot off.  About all I can tell you is that if you look carefully in just about the middle of the picture, you might be able to find the tail of the female as she was sitting on the eggs.  Sure wish I could fold myself into a canoe and spend some time working on a great photo.  That’s not going to happen this spring. Sad smile

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The resident sandhill cranes have also lain eggs.  I asked the guide to show me the nest that I had heard was out on the prairie.  He did that, but of course stayed far enough away not to disturb momma on the nest.  I took this pic with my 300mm lens, cropped it, and got this result.  It was a long way off.  I have to say that identifying this bird is about the only bird this particular guide got right.  Had to hold my tongue during this tour. Disappointed smile  I get a free ride as long as I don’t wear my refuge uniform and keep my mouth shut.

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The thing that I enjoyed most about this tour was seeing the golden club blooms of the never wet plant.  They were blooming all over the wet prairie mixed in with the lily pads.

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The never wet plant was used to help develop Gortex.  It sheds all water on its leaves.  The golden club blooms can be eaten, and when ripe, I’ve been told they taste similar to a radish.  There’s a dragonfly there on one of the clubs, so I guess the insects find them useful as well.

Even though we saw several alligators, the tour really wasn’t interesting enough for a three and a five year old.  In the afternoon, we went back to the rig and more construction was done on Emma’s holes by the girls.  They sure got filthy, but I’m happy to report they didn’t care about that.

Friday night, Robyn and Phoebe stayed at the rig for an over night.  Saturday, it was Avery’s turn.  Robyn stayed over each night because we put each girl to bed in my bed around 8:00.  When we are ready for bed, Robyn would carry them out to the couch in front.  They are too heavy for me to lift with my present restrictions.  So, we had two pajama parties with special treats this weekend.  I was the first to rise each morning, and as soon as I was up Emma felt it was her duty to arouse the girls by licking their legs!  Open-mouthed smile  Emma thought it was wonderful, but I’m not so sure the girls thought so…

Tomorrow night I’ll talk about what we did on Sunday.  In the meantime, I got another call from the Elk Refuge today, and I will not be going there this summer.  Their needs this year are for someone to work the visitors center four days a week, and I just can’t agree to do that.  I really wasn’t surprised to hear that.  I also didn’t feel any sense of disappointment.  I figure it’s their loss, and where one door closes another will open.  A couple of folks have asked if I’ve got a plan B, and I have a couple of them.  I’m going to not mention those until things are more firmly in place.  Oddly, I felt a bit of a sense of relief for some reason.  Maybe it’s the thrill of trying to make some new plans?

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                                                                                   THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

24 comments:

  1. Sticking to your guns about the V.C. job is the right thing to do. You should have no problems locating another place to land this summer. Too bad the girls were not interested in the boat tour.

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  2. Way to stick to your guns. As a volunteer you should be entitled to volunteer for what you want to do. Hope plan B will be just as rewarding.
    Can't believe you were able to bite your tongue in the face of the mis-information given by the guide. I wouldn't have let that pass.

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  3. Why don't the alligators get the nest/eggs of the Sandhill Crane? Sorry about the volunteer job but sounds like it was for the best, you sure don't want to be unhappy no matter where you are or what you are doing.

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  4. You've learned what works best for you, and good for you for sticking to it. After all, you're a volunteer. Plan B or Plan C will no doubt be better for you in the long run.

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  5. Well, I am one of those weirdoes that believe there are no accidents! So whatever you do this summer will be the right thing for you!

    I loved your pictures...the sky's reflection on the water is so nice with the golden blooms.

    Your welcome and it's always a treat to visit!

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  6. You know what you will do and not do. At our age, we don't need to compromise. Very interested to see where you do end up.

    The ride may not have held the girls' interest but I bet they were just happy to be with grandma.

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  7. Hey Belt, sorry to hear that Buckle and her sister didn't find the boat ride too much fun. Thank goodness they enjoyed the hole filling.

    Cool picture of the crane on the nest, how exciting that there will be little cranes soon.

    Too bad about the Elk Refuge, it's their loss, though. You'll find a much better place that deserves your talents. :c)

    PS: Yes, I did eat some pancakes, hard to pass up a plate of flapjacks...

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  8. I'm with Gay. The Elk Refuge is not where you are supposed to be this summer and something much much better is in you future. Love the dragon fly.

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  9. Oh I bet those girls would be just plum tuckered happy to play in the dirt holes!

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    The USA Is Our Big Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  10. We all need to set boundaries. Good for you and we are eager to see where you go.

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  11. Shooters.... I was hoping you would be out West so that we would have a chance to meet this summer. We'll have to work on it!! Can't wait to hear where you will land :)

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  12. Again, I admire you Judy for sticking to your guns--you are one strong woman!

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  13. You will have all kinds of options to have fun down the road. Just like buying a lottery ticket-just think of the pleasure that can be had from thinking about the choices you will discover:)

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  15. Glad you won't be stuck inside all summer. That's just too much to ask. Little girls and holes always make a good combination- either digging them or filling them in. It doesn't seem to matter which way the dirt is going.

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  16. No sense in doing volunteer work that you don't enjoy ... and you're right, it is their loss.

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  17. The never wet plant is fascinating, and the turtle at "The End" is beautiful. Add my "Amen" to those who feel your volunteer work should be to YOUR liking. I am really ambivalent about the idea of camp hosting again, but so far I'm on.

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  18. So glad to see that you are enjoying your time with your family. Wherever you end up for the summer will be a wonderful adventure.

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  19. Yes their loss and your gain.
    Maybe if the tour wasn't so long the girls might have enjoyed it more. They are young and to have to sit for 90 min. is a loonnnngggg time. They seem to have a great time digging for China. :)

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  20. How many people were on the tour? Seems a shame to let them hear incorrect info. That never wet plant is interesting... something new to me. Looks like the family had a good visit.

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  21. I totally understand the excitement in making some new and different plans...And , as I said, the Elk Refuge....LOSERS!!...You are going to need a vacation after all this entertaining kids!! They can wear ya down, but it's a great "tired"...

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  22. Dang, I was so looking forward to meet the famous bird-lady this summer! But your plan B is close too, isn't it...? (one can try ;)

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  23. I liked that larger Golden Club Blooms photo.....

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  24. Too bad about the National Elk Refuge falling through. I agree that you've got to stick to your guns and know what you'll be happy doing. I'm sure that something wonderful will come up for you this summer.

    Mark

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