(The dawn take off of sandhill cranes from their overnight roost in the lake)As the post was published, there was a knock at my door. Outside stood my next door (construction worker) neighbor. He said he just wanted to check on me and see how the awning was working that he said he could fix (NOT!) I’m sure you’ve all heard the terms sloshed, drunk, three sheets to the wind, in his cups! Well that’s just what he was, and he wanted to get a little more familiar than I was interested in. Disgusting!! If you want hugs, go see your wife! Ugh!
(Snow geese, en mass.) Then I listened to a phone message that said to call the Sioux Falls Treasurer’s office, once again. When I did that this morning, I found out that Universal Marine and RV had taken over 60 days to send the check for the title registration and plates for the RV, so I now had to pay a late fee fine to the tune of $228.04 before they would give me the plates. And I only had one day to do it, or the whole process would have to be started all over again. GRRRR!! Color me really mad at Universal. :( So, of course, I paid the fine, and then shot off an email to Universal letting them know I expected full reimbursement for this late fee. Some times it’s difficult to let the negativity roll off your back, and maintain a cool calm demeanor. Deep breathing exercises help. :)
(A northern harrier hunting the fields) After taking care of a glitch in my Auto/MH insurance over the phone, I headed 15 miles to Nampa, ID, to take care of a few errands. Then I fixed an early dinner and headed out the door with Emma, and that’s when the eyebrow raising event occurred.
(When one of a pair of sandhills eats, the other keeps watch.)As we walked along the perimeter, three big diesel pushers came in, each with a toad. I’ll probably take a hit for my next statement, but here goes. :) You know folks who drive those diesel pushers never turn off their noisy fuming engines until they absolutely have to! So, we got the noise pollution and smell for a good 45 minutes. Is there some reason you can’t shut the engine down while you unhook your toad?? I always do. Anyway, rig number two proceeded to unhook his toad, and as he did so, the motorhome took off on it’s own with no driver! The campground manager was screaming bloody murder, and the husband began running after his rig. Luckily he was able to jump inside and slam on the brakes before it careened into anything. Here’s my two questions: wouldn’t it have been prevented if you turned off your motor and put the rig in park? and where was his wife at this time? busy painting her nails? Egad! I’m sure glad I was parked in the other row of rigs.
It appears that my souse of a neighbor has gone home for the weekend, thank goodness, and I’ll finish my ho-hum day with a little blog reading and some TV. Sometimes it just makes you wonder about this world. :)
Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later, Judy
The sandhill cranes spend the night in the water to stay away from coyotes and other predators. As I pulled over, they were getting ready to head out for the morning to feed in local fields.
It wasn't long before they took flight....
The sun was just peeking over the eastern mountains as they headed out for the day.
It was a gorgeous morning to be out and about on the refuge.
Sandhill cranes aren't the only birds to be found on the refuge. Flocks of snow geese have also begun to arrive.
Their numbers will increase dramatically in the next month or so. Every time there is an approaching cold front, more cranes, geese, and ducks arrive.
Cranes are one of my favorite birds, and we saw many today. So, you'll have to put up with several pictures of them. I love listening to their calls as they fly, and as they prepare to move from one field to another. 
This sandhill was fluffing his feathers in the wind. Cranes mate for life, so this pair is bonded.
See the red top knot?
While the cranes and geese were feeding, many Northern harriers were coursing the fields looking for rodents.
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