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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, December 1, 2012

One verdict is rendered

Today was my scheduled “Knock on Wood” bird tour.  As I expected, no one showed up to take advantage of this marvelous opportunity.  Sad smile  So instead, I took Kathy, the intern, along with me to ride the tour route anyway.  She was very interested in learning about birds and becoming a ‘birder’.  I switched out the 15 passenger van for the electric cart, and we were on our way.  We barely got started before we received a call on the radio to return to the VC.  Two young ladies had shown up an hour late for the tour.

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There were lots of turkeys around early in the morning, but they were gone by the time I took the tour out.

The day turned out to be a cloudy one, and the birding was rather subdued.  We had a nice time, and since they were interns from a different facility and interested in plants, I showed them our pitcher plants.  Couldn’t seem to find the toothache grass today, though.  By the time we finished it was lunch time.

I was supposed to spend the afternoon roving, but was requested by Gracie, the volunteer coordinator, to work the VC this afternoon.  So that’s what I did.  During a lull in visitors, she gave me the verdict on whether or not I would be able to stay on the refuge during my recuperation from surgery.  The answer was no.  I was very disappointed, and could feel my face reddening as she gave me the news.  It seems to be a matter of liability in case I might fall or something during the recuperation process.  I guess I can understand that, but I was sure hoping I wouldn’t have to pack things up and find a different place to stay.  Crying face

I do have a couple of possible locations in mind, and will pursue them more diligently when I finally get a surgery date.  That news kind of put a crimp on my day.

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On a brighter note, a couple of days ago Kathy found these tracks not too far from the volunteer village.  We think they are from a bobcat.  That’s cool beans. 

I have to tell you what happened last night that nearly gave me heart failure.  About 10:30, after my drama with the huge bug in the rig, I hooked Emma to her leash for her last outs.  I flicked on the outside light, and down the stairs we went to the outside.  As we reached the ground, there were loud raucous squawking sounds and a huge bird swooped down just above our heads.  I about passed out, and Emma was so shocked she didn’t even bark!  She just cringed.  As I looked at it flap by, I think it was a great blue heron.  I have no idea why it would be roosting outside the RV.  It took us a few minutes to calm down enough so Emma could do her business, and I could go to bed!

The plan for tomorrow is to spend a good deal of time boating through the swamp.  I’m excited about that, and hope to have some great pics for tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. Very sorry to hear about the verdict. I know you must be disappointed. I would be too. I'm glad you have some other ideas for options and hope the surgery date can get scheduled soon. I really don't understand why you are having such trouble. It's December already.

    Cool beans for sure about both the bobcat and the giant bird scare. What a great place to be.

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  2. I know you are a bit disappointed, but it was very nice of Kathy to go along and enjoy your tour.
    WHOA...if that big bird came at mean in the dark, I would have been screaming my head off. What a brave woman you are.

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  3. I'm sorry you have to move again...after you just got all settled. Maybe a better location will come available for you to recuperate in. I sure hope so. Those tracks were neat. Too bad someone didn't have a camera on you two when that happened. That would have been some picture :)

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  4. Tell them to draw up a release. You just sign saying you won't sue them. That should cover our government. I thought this was our land?

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  5. I hope that where ever you go you. will have a quick and uneventful recovery.

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  6. Sorry about the verdict...looking forward to your new pictures!

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  7. Uf-Dah! Something will work out for the better. Sorry that this seems so difficult.

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  8. Too bad that you have to move off of the refuge. It's funny about the tours, every one comes in looking for a tour on different dates than the dates we have them.

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  9. So sorry to hear that you have to move. I hope you will find just the right place and that your recuperative period passes quickly. I know you will miss not being out and about. Take care.

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  10. Sad news for you, I'm sure. Probably, back in the day, all the hours you have given them would have played a part in the decision. Now, it's all about liability. Common sense, or doing what's right, doesn't stand a chance. I agree with some of the other posters. Bet it will work out for the better. Good things usually happen to good people :-)

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  11. That's really a bummer that you cannot stay there during your recovery but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Now, why they can't seem to get you scheduled is totally baffling. It will all work out in the end, but it's too bad you have to deal with the stress of it all.

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  12. Oh Judy, I'm sorry to hear the disappointing news. What a silly world we live in where the fear of liability trumps support in the time of need. You would be more than welcome to come here but, of course, it's further away than you need to be. And our condo doesn't have a parking space or hook-ups. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

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  13. I like the idea of signing a liability release - I wonder if that would work? Such a bummer, for sure.

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  14. Liability release is a great idea. But if it doesn't work it's good that u have other options. Hope u get scheduled soon and have a speedy recovery!

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  15. With everything else you have to think about, what a bummer you also have to move. Hope you get scheduled for the surgery soon.

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  16. Sorry you will have to move, but maybe a campground with lots of concrete will be a bit easier for you to walk around while you're re-cooperating.

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  17. That just sucks pond water!..But..it's a sign that there is something better out there for you to recover at...right?..A place with some really cool birds and stuff!..Could that have been an owl outside the RV?? Just wonderin'..

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  18. Crappy shot to have to move. But yes like someone else said having paved ground to walk on is much better for your recovery. Hope they get thi scheduling done already.

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  19. The swamp boat tour sounds like fun - just don't fall in the water!

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  20. I agree with JerryC - seems like all you've given to refuges would merit a few weeks of recuperation time where you're parked. I really feel like they need to re-examine a lot of their policies around volunteers.

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  21. butterbean carpenterDecember 2, 2012 at 3:55 PM

    Howdy Judy & Emma,

    Emma afraid of a blue heron, NAW?? He was probably resting on your 'blue' rug and thought it was a body of water!!
    What we call those big bugs are assassin bugs and you are very correct, 'THEY STINK!!' Really they bore into cottonwood trees to lay their eggs and the larvae eat the roots of the trees...
    BUMMER about not getting to return after surgery; INSURANCE, NO DOUBT!!!
    Did it ever occur to people that when a TIME IS GIVEN, for an birding tour, that it makes sense the one giving the tour KNOWS when the animals are out and not hiding?? It's not like you can 'turn' them on to be viewed!!

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  22. Bummer ... that wasn't the news you wanted, but knowing your propensity for making lemonade out of lemons, I know you'll find an alternative that works well for you.

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