Rain returns

It clouded up early today, and has been lightly raining all day.  So, I spent the day indoors working on the education programs for fourth and fifth grade students.  Not terribly exciting, but it has to get done.  I also made a trip to the shop to gas up the van.  Usually filling the gas tank of a regular vehicle takes but a few minutes.  Not so with this van.  It takes close to a half hour to put twenty gallons in it.  No matter how you position the nozzle, is shuts off after each .3 gallons.  There must be some kind of kink in the pipe to the tank.  Getting that tank filled was the highlight of the day...how boring is that?

It is supposed to rain even harder tomorrow, so it will be another indoor day working on the ed programs.  I will spice that up a little with engraving ID numbers on a set of tools that are kept in the community building.

Oh yes, thanks Myrddin, for informing me that a bunch of pigs is called a drift or drove.  Oink, Oink!

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

Holy Bug-bite, Batman!

In my post, yesterday, I included a picture of an insect.  One of my readers, a veterinarian, commented that she thought the insect was from the Family Reduviidae.  AKA....the Assassin Bug!  I'm happy to report that neither Emma nor myself provoked that little bugger.  Apparently they can inflict a nasty bite if provoked.

Wildlife refuges harbor all kinds of critters, and some of them are not user friendly.  :)  That reminds me of the time a couple of years ago that I was helping pick up trash at McFadden NWR in preparation for their Marsh Madness celebration.  I was calmly walking along the roadside with my bucket and trash picker when I saw what I thought was an old soggy glove in the grass.  I tried to pick it up with the picker, but the tongs slipped off.  I remember thinking, "my goodness, that's a heavy glove."  So, of course, I stepped closer and tried again.  As I began to lift the glove, it began to uncurl!  It wasn't a glove at all, but was a cottonmouth snake!  You can bet I dropped that snake and jumped back.  Thank goodness it was early in the morning and still pretty chilly out which meant the snake, a cold blooded reptile, was still groggy.

This afternoon, as I took Emma to the back of the compound so she could have a good run, we both noticed that we were not alone.  Just on the other side of the barbed wire fence was one cow surrounded by a half dozen feral hogs.  Not a good time to let Emma off the leash.  Feral hogs are a real problem for southern refuges.  They reproduce freely, and they have a disastrous effect on the marsh.  I had seen that same
herd(?) of hogs late yesterday afternoon.  (I can't think of what you call a bunch of pigs...not a flock, or gaggle, but what?)

Then just before sunset today, a bobcat loped across the open lawn next to the RV pads.  I hope he sticks around and dines on the rodents.  :)

One of the interesting challenges for female fulltime RVers is getting a decent haircut across the country.  I most often end up with an exuberant hairdresser that more than gives me my money's worth.  Today's experience was the opposite.  This hairdresser was rather timid about shortening my locks, and she used way too much conditioner.  I have very fine hair, and using conditioner means my hair just lays flat on my head...no body at all.  Oh well, next cut will come from around Austin, TX.  We'll see what happens there.

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

That's more like it!

Today dawned bright and promising over the marsh with just a little low fog.  Temps were in the lower 30's, but soon soared to the low 60's by the afternoon.  Now that's more like what I signed up for!  :)  What a beautiful day it was today.  I took Emma on a couple mile walk this morning before I returned to the rig to take care of domestic chores like laundry.

                                   

Of course, the warmer temperatures brought out many insects.  Isn't this an interesting looking specimen?  I wonder what purpose those arrow shaped sections have on it's hind legs.  Remember, you know it's an insect because it has six legs and a head, thorax, and abdomen.  Can you tell I've been working on the education programs???

A reader recently commented that I haven't posted much about Emma lately, so........

here's a not very good picture of her enjoying a good run off leash around the RV compound.  I wish I could harness that energy! (actually she is usually harnessed on the leash, but her energy doesn't seem to transfer up to me)

After covering about a half mile in circles at full tilt, her nose brought her to a stop amongst some of the debris left from the hurricane where the barn used to be.  I'm sure there are some tell tale olfactory remnants there from our abundant rodent population.  It was a glorious day for a romp.

Do you know how day after day your hair is just fine, and then one day you wake up and it's obvious that it's time for a cut?  Well, today was that day for me.  So, tomorrow I'll be looking to get my hair cut.  I'll try at the hairdressers in Winnie, but I don't know if they take walk ups.  If they don't, it looks like a trip to Walmart in Beaumont will be in order.

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy 

A convenient fix for a worry

As you know, we have been having quite a cold snap here in Texas.  My biggest worry has been that I might run out of propane this past weekend.  I'm happy to report that I did not run out.  Last week, on the Escapees Forum, I asked for suggestions of a way to supplement my propane tank.  I received several responses that recommended a kit that can be installed on my tank so I can tap into an outside source of propane.

So, today I headed for Channelview Supply, about 60 miles from here, to pick up the needed kit.  Channelview Supply turned out to be similar to a Camping World store.  They had the Extend-A-Stay kit ($83.95)  I needed in stock, and assured me I wouldn't need any additional parts for installation.  While I was there, I decided to walk around and see if there was anything else in the store that I couldn't live without.  :)  Being in a store specializing in RV products is much more exciting to me than all those other kinds of shopping that most women enjoy.  My friend Susan's favorite place is Fleet Farm in Rochester, MN.  What's your favorite place to shop?

I did find a water filter cartridge for a cheaper price than Camping World, and a set of rugs for my hallway, steps, and bathroom.  I've had my present set for five years and the rubber backing has disintegrated over time.  I tried to order them on-line from Camping World, but apparently they don't carry them anymore.  So now I'm set for the next five years.  Today's little excursion put more than a $200 hole in my pocketbook, but everything was needed.  I felt very happy with myself as I left the store.

After stopping for groceries, I headed back to the rig to get busy installing the kit.  That's when my elevated mood began to sink.  As I looked at the directions, with pictures, and then at my on-board propane tank, there didn't appear to be enough room to install the fitting.  I also didn't have the kind of wrenches necessary for installation.  Hmmm, what's a girl to do? 

I put the word out via cell phone that I was having trouble with the installation, and in very short order Nathan and Chuck showed up. 

                            

In less than a half hour, these two refuge staff members had remedied the problem and finished the installation.  So now I can relax and have all the heat I want!  The staff here at Anahuac NWR really makes an outstanding effort to support their volunteers.  The fire crew members staying at the RV pads take the tanks in every week to get refilled.  I feel like I'm sitting on easy street right now.  And to top it all off, I haven't had a mouse in the rig in three days!  Color me HAPPY!!!

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

Another bird survey done.

When the sun had risen and the temperature had increased a few degrees, I headed over to Shoveler Pond to do another bird survey.  What a difference a week makes.  It looked as if someone had pulled the plug on the pond like pulling a plug on a bath tub.  Not all the water was gone, but much of it was which resulted in several huge mudflats.  Instead of a variety of ducks swimming around, there were large flocks of shorebirds working the mud flats for tasty morsels.  I counted 350 long billed dowitchers, plenty of killdeer, and several flocks of least sandpipers.  They were far enough away, that pictures were out of the question.  I was kept pretty busy using my scope attached to the driver's side window.

There were also plenty of wading birds in the outer trench around the drive where there was still water.

Finally, a great blue heron stayed still long enough for me to get a shot.  He was resting with his long neck tucked in.

I couldn't resist another shot.  The herons usually fly away as soon as I approach.  Here he began to uncurl his neck.

The great egret is another bird that usually is skittish when approached. 

Both the great egret and the great blue heron are about four feet tall and have big sharp beaks.  I wouldn't want to get poked by them!  I also wouldn't want to be them if I got a sore throat.  ;)

As you can see, much of the inner portion of Shoveler Pond has tall reeds and grasses.  Because of the drop in water level, today was an excellent day to see many little birds foraging around in the mud.  I was surprised to see a sedge wren, common yellowthroats, and an orange-crowned warbler taking advantage of the exposed pond bottom.

All in all, it was a good survey day that was topped off with a wonderful view of the first white tailed hawk of the season.  Of course, I think any day spent birding is a good day.  :)  Only one more night of temps in the low twenties to deal with, and then things are supposed to improve.  I look forward to that.

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy

Prescribed burn today

Today was a day of small surprises...some good, some not so good.  On the not so good side, I woke to the furnace running and an outside temperature of 20* (I guess that wasn't really a surprise).  All the windows were frozen shut because of the high humidity along the coast.  The water in Emma's outside water dish was frozen, but I still had running water.  So, I fixed myself a scrambled egg sandwich for breakfast and headed out for the VIS.

I was wearing a turtleneck, fleece jacket, and my winter coat along with gloves.  As I opened the VIS door, I was confronted with warm air!  That was definitely a good surprise.  Kay, a local volunteer, had actually set up the VIS shack with three small electric heaters last night.  Thank you Kay!!  Instead of being 20* inside, it was actually warm enough for me to take off my winter coat.  Of course, two of the heaters had tripped the breaker, but I soon remedied that by moving one of them to an outlet on the north side.  How nice it was to set up for opening without clumsy gloves on. 

Shortly after noon, I noticed what I thought was a large cloud bank out the one window of the VIS.  I headed outside for a better look and discovered that it wasn't a cloud bank at all, but a prescribed burn going on to the south in the Roberts Mueller section of the refuge.  You can see the moist soil units in the foreground of the picture, and the marsh burning in the background.  Prescribed burns are very healthy for the marsh.  They renew growth and provide excellent feeding areas for wintering and migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds.  In another month, the burned area will be a lush green.  This is definitely an example where fire is a good thing.  The fire crews set and manage the burns.  Because of all the recent rain, it was feared that burns wouldn't be possible until March, but the conditions must have been right for today's burn.

On an interesting side note, this is the area where waterfowl hunting is allowed on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday during the season.  All hunters must exit the check station from their blinds by noon on these days.  Today, two hunters chose to push the envelope and did not exit on time.  Too bad for them; the fire crew and law enforcement officer found them and they ended up with a $180 fine for not leaving on time.  When the refuge says the hunt is over for the day, they mean it!

So, the burn was a good surprise.  On the not so good side, I did not see the Vermilion Flycatcher today.  With such cold temperatures and brutal winds the last few days, I hope he just moved on to another location.  However, being realistic, with temps in the twenties and winds at 40 mph, how many insects do you think are flying around?  Flycatchers do, as their name implies, catch flies and other insects on the wing.  I will look for him again tomorrow as I do the bird survey.  I'd like to think he made it through....

We did have a bald eagle buzzing the moist soil units today.  As one of the visitors said, "any day is a good day if you see a bald eagle."  Bald Eagles are not very common on the refuge, and you should have seen how his swooping around made hundreds of snow geese take flight!  It was one of those moments that made me appreciate being where I am and doing what I'm doing.  Cool beans!!!

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy 

Annual Volunteer Banquet at Anahuac NWR

Tonight was the annual Volunteer Banquet here.  This is the first one I have been able to attend since I usually am not here at this time of the year.  It was held in Winnie, TX.  It was a potluck with the refuge providing some adult beverages and BBQ beef, chicken, and sausage.  Since we didn't eat until around 7:00, I only chose a small plate of food.  Eating that late at night generally has not been a good idea for me in recent years.  ;)  It tends to interfere with a good night's sleep.

Most of the attendees were local volunteers that were rightfully honored tonight.  Anahuac has a strong Friends group that really supports the refuge and is responsible for providing the Community Building for the RV volunteers.  There was a nice slide show running throughout the evening depicting all the volunteer activities on the refuge.  Because of hurricane Ike, there was no banquet last year, so tonight honored all the work contributed over the last two years.  I can't remember the exact statistics, but in the last two years, volunteers have put in many hours that have been valued at over $350,000!

I've had a couple of questions from readers that sent me personal emails that I'd like to answer here:

1. How can one spell check be better than another?  The spell check I'm using now allows words to be added to the dictionary.  So I don't have to keep checking words like Anahuac, Laguna Atascosa, or Balcones, etc.  Also things like fulltime, motorhome, and RVing.
2. What is a salinity test?  A salinity test checks for the level of salt in the bayou (river).  As the rivers near the Gulf of Mexico they change from fresh water to brackish water to salt water.  I do the testing so the refuge staff knows how much fresh water to release through the refuge to keep the marsh healthy.  Sorry I didn't explain that before. :(
3. Are you keeping warm?  Barely...temps overnight were in the mid twenties.  On the bright side, my water hose didn't freeze due to all the insulation installed and keeping water dripping out of the faucets all night.  The furnace ran almost all day even though I have two space heaters running constantly, and the temperature forecast for the next two days is not encouraging.  1989 was the last time that the Houston area saw temperatures this low for so many days.  I have my fingers crossed that my propane will hold out through the weekend.

I'll be working the VIS tomorrow, but won't be opening at 8:00.  Tonight it may get down into the teens, so I'll wait a bit before going in.  I've worn my winter coat more in the last week than I have in the last four years!  I'm sure glad I didn't get rid of it before I hit the road, even though I never planned to have to use it.

Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later,  Judy