Do you have a recommendation?

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge is one of three refuges in the Southwest Arizona National Wildlife Refuge Complex.  As I understand it, each refuge manager reports to the Complex manager.  The complex manager decided to have a cookout luncheon today to honor the volunteers at all three refuges.  Nice idea.  We were served up hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, fresh green salad, Cole slaw, and an assortment of deserts, chips and salsa.  The Kofa NWR manager did the grilling.  I truly appreciated not having to cook for a change.

As I went to retrieve my ‘little’ camera out of the car, I encountered this roadrunner doing his running thing along the complex office sidewalks.  I had a little time to get some pics.  You see, all staff and volunteers were in back of the complex building for the BBQ, so all the doors were locked when I tried to get back in. 

Eventually, I found someone to unlock the door so I could return to the gathering.  The complex manager gave a speech and thanked all of us volunteers for the over 11,000 hours we’ve put in this winter.  That equates to the work done by five full-time employees.  Not too shabby in my estimation. 

Elaine, the complex manager, had her lunch with me and four other Imperial volunteers.  First time I’ve spent any time with her, and I liked her.  After her speech, each refuge manager recognized each of their volunteers with small thank you gifts.  I received my 7000 hour volunteer pin.  The Imperial manager and I have our differences, but he did acknowledge that he didn’t know that he had ever met anyone with more volunteer hours with the Fish & Wildlife Service.  There are lots of folks that have more hours, but I’m proud of my contribution.

The reason I went back to my car to get my little camera is that there was a hummingbird nest in a Palo Verde tree very close to where we were eating.  I believe this is a female black-chinned hummingbird sitting on her eggs.  I remarked that the nest looked pretty large for a hummer.  It turns out a month ago a hummingbird had a nest here.  Can you see that this female built her nest atop the old used nest?  They make their nests out of cob webs and lichen and such.  The eggs are the size of little jelly beans.  I just might go back with my good camera to see if I can get some more shots.

As my time here at Imperial winds down, there are also several other changes I’m having to deal with.  My mail service in South Dakota (formerly called Alternative Resources) has changed their name to Dakota Post and changed their address as well.  That means I have to change all my addresses as well.  What a pain that is. 

Then in May, my extended warranty on the rig expires since the rig will be seven years old.  That warranty included roadside assistance.  I need to find my own roadside assistance.  I’ve used Good Sam in the past, but was wondering if you readers could give me some input.  The other companies I’ve heard good reports about are Coach net and Progressive.  What thinkest thou?

                                                                                THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy