Days of Christmas

Days of Christmas. Most of us are familiar with the holiday tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.  You know the one with the 12 Drummers drumming, 11 Pipers piping, 10 Lords-a-leaping, 9 Ladies dancing, 8 Maids-a-milking, 7 Swans-a-swimming, 6 Geese-a-laying, 5 Golden Rings…, 4 Calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 Turtle doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.  Well, as I’ve been doing my roving time on the refuge, this tune popped into my head and my mind went-a-whirling.  

So, for this special night, I give you my rendition.  Most of the photos were taken on Okefenokee NWR, but I had to beef up some pics with photos from Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, Malheur NWR, and Balcones Canyonlands NWR. 

If I were techie enough, I’d provide the music in the background, but you know I’m not.  So, I hope you’ll sing along with me on the last verse of the song, and have as much fun as I did composing it.

                                   

A lesson learned for a young boy?

A lesson learned for a young boy?. It was a chilly 29* this morning as I took Emma for her first outs.  I was sure glad I had dumped the tanks last night and left the grey water valve open so I could leave the kitchen water faucet dripping overnight so the water hose wouldn’t freeze up my water supply.  That worked, and I’ll be doing the same thing tonight as it is forecasted to be even colder.

My workday today consisted of roving in the morning, and working the VC in the afternoon.  I had the refuge vehicle heat pumping away as I slowly drove the Swamp Island Wildlife Drive first thing.  I keep the windows down as I move along so I can hear as well as see what might be out and about along the drive.  As you might guess, there weren’t any visitors to talk to, but being the first one on the drive for the day does increase the chances of seeing wildlife in my opinion.

I heard that familiar ‘chip’ that made me step on the brakes and turn the engine off.  Sure enough, an endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) was working one of the longleaf pines right outside the passenger’s window.  Its feathers were pretty fluffed up to ward off the cold.

This bird was traveling amongst the pines by itself.  I’m wondering if maybe it will be one of the birds that the refuge biologist will capture and move to an area to find a mate.  He gets to try to play matchmaker with lone birds.  RCWs often move around in family groups, and being an endangered species, steps are taken to help them find their true love.  I’m hoping that when I can ambulate more normally that I might be able to help out with this work.

Too soon, for me, it was time for lunch and then my stint in the VC.  You know I’d much rather be outside.  I did catch a view of this red-headed woodpecker as I was pulling in to park outside the VC.

It was pretty slow until a group of 37 young boys and their chaperones descended on the visitors center.  They had been out canoeing the swamp for several hours.  I had thought they were possibly a Boy Scout troop, but later found out it was a church group outing.  It’s kind of like a flash flood when a group this large flows into the VC all at once.  They dashed around the exhibits for a while, and then all went in to view the 14 minute video about the swamp in the auditorium.  I was working alone at that time, so couldn’t monitor everything at the same time as setting up the video.

After the video, they went out to board their bus to go visit the Homestead before it closed.  That is until one of the older chaperones came in with a young boy in tow, and told him to tell me what he had done.  The boy, about 8 or so I’d guess, gave me a five dollar bill, and said he took it from the donation box.  Uh Oh.  I called for the brown shirt on duty and asked her what she wanted to do about it.  She just stood there, so I turned to the boy and asked him what gave him the right to take money that someone had donated to save the swamp.  Of course, he had no answer, but he did hang his head and begin to shake.  The brown shirt then told him he could be arrested for stealing.  I asked him if he was sorry for what he had done, and then told him to put the money back where he had found it. 

I also told him that the best thing he had done was to admit to taking the money, and returning it.  Tears were coursing down his face as he left.  I sure hope that young lad learned a lesson today…

How Found a place to move

How Found a place to move. Yesterday morning it was sunny and warm, but a storm was forecasted to arrive in the late afternoon/early evening.  Oddly enough, the weather guessers were right for a change.  At 2:00, all the volunteers and several staff members loaded up into the big van and headed for Waycross, GA.  

That’s where the north entrance to the Okefenokee NWR is.  That entrance is run by a private concessionaire, and we were visiting to experience their holiday lighting.  Tonight’s photos are from that visit.

To begin with, we all started down the swamp boardwalk on the way to the elevated observation tower.  The folks in the entrance store said it was a quarter mile walk to the tower.  I figured if I took my time, I could do it, and I sure wanted to see the views from up in the air of the swamp.

Well I’m here to tell you that it is more than a quarter mile walk down a boardwalk.  See those stairs at the end of the bridge over the water?  I think just getting there was a quarter mile, and the tower was nowhere in sight.  My hip was already killing me; I looked at those stairs and thought of all the stairs going up and down the tower.  Yep, I had to pack it in and quit.  I’ll have to wait until spring to enjoy that trail!

I gingerly made my way back, but stopped often to enjoy the reflections in the watery swamp as the storm clouds and haziness rolled in.  This may just be the headwaters of the Suwannee River that weaves its way down into Florida.

I finally plunked myself down at a picnic table near the food concession stand.  As I rested, I looked skyward and a whole bunch of vultures began to circle.  I shook my fist and told them I wasn’t dead yet!    They all began to descend, but in reality I believe they were just looking for good roosting spots to use to weather the incoming storm.  Those trees in the bottom of the pic already harbored around a dozen black and turkey vultures at 4:30 in the afternoon.

We all had tickets for a ride on the Miss Suwannee train to view the Christmas Light Display in the swamp at 6:00 pm.  As a light rain began, the train boarding whistle blew early hastening us to head out a.s.a.p. in hopes of avoiding the worst of the storm. (No refunds on tickets for bad weather.)  I had just finished a burger at the concession stand, but the workers had thankfully saved a seat up front for me in the first car so I wouldn’t have to walk so far. 

We started out in the dark just as the skies really opened up.  It was a delightful half hour ride through the dark swamp.  I was very impressed with the amount of lighted displays along the way.  There were

Christmas carols playing as we rode, and I sat back on the bench to just enjoy the experience.  Until…the train hit a curve that tilted us a bit, and all the rain water rushed down a groove at the back of the seat and quickly made me sit up and take attention as the cold water soaked into my backside!   Those clammy wet jeans never did dry out until this morning.

I worked the VC this morning, and roved in the afternoon.  It only got into the low 50’s today with very brisk cold winds.  Not many visitors today, and I can’t blame them for not coming.  During the afternoon, I took a little time to once again talk to the folks at Okefenokee Pastimes.  This is a campground/cabin/guide service establishment that is located right at the east entrance to Okefenokee NWR.  It’s only about five miles from where I’m now parked. 

I had spoken to them about staying there for my recovery last month just after my doctor appointment at Mayo.  At that time, they told me they only allowed people to stay a maximum of one week in their campground.  As things have worked out over time, they are making an exception for me, and I will be moving over there shortly before my surgery date.  I am very relieved.  While they seem to have lots of rules for their campers, the place is exceptionally clean, safe, and very well run.  There’s even a handicapped shower stool/seat in the immaculately clean shower room.  The price is $25/night or $150/week.  I can live with that. 

My other choices in the area that I investigated may be cheaper, but I would not be as comfortable at those  locations.  One was  RV sites located between two railroad tracks!  Sam may have loved that deal, but not me, for sure!  70 trains a day go though Folkston.  Well, I have rambled on enough tonight.  Guess I’d better quit.

Preparing for Nurse

Preparing for Nurse. You know, I’ve been living on the road solo for about six and a half years, and I have to admit that I’ve just about filled the closet and drawers with my clothes.  Couples that travel together have to share a closet and three drawers, but not me.  In a couple of weeks, Nurse Ratchet, aka my brother Kurt, will be arriving to help me through the surgery recovery process.  The other day I got to thinking that he’ll probably be bringing more than the clothes on his back with him since he’ll be here several weeks. 

Hmm… what’s a girl to do?  You have to remember that I have clothes for all seasons, and a drawer full of just volunteer uniform items.  Doing laundry is a pain in the neck for me, so I’m comfortable with a two week supply of all needed clothing items.  (Well, maybe a little more than that)  I had a brain storm the other day, and this was my solution:

When I first hit the road in a smaller rig, I had the passenger’s seat removed and put in two of these plastic drawer stacks to afford me more storage space.  I didn’t need them in my present rig, but they gave me the idea.  It’s hard to live out of a suitcase for an extended period, and these drawers fit nicely behind the turned around passenger’s seat.  I think this will work out just fine.

In other news around here, a commenter a while back suggested I offer to sign a liability release with the refuge so I wouldn’t have to move off refuge for my surgery.  Well, that offer was turned down as well, so I’ll be packing up soon and moving down the road.  It had come to my attention that others had been allowed to stay while having surgery, but they were all couples where the husband could continue to volunteer while the wife recuperated.  I guess I’ll just chalk that up to another disadvantage to traveling solo. 

While I was out shopping for the drawers yesterday, I decided to break down and buy a new set of pajamas for my hospital stay and recovery.  I haven’t bought new PJs since before I went on the road, so what I have is pretty ragged.  Won’t I be stylish?

Good news today, was that I finally got my first customer at the Hard Rock Bird Café.  A little American goldfinch came in for a bite to eat.  I hope he returns with some friends.  Wouldn’t you know, now that I have to leave, a bird comes.  I’m thinking I may leave the feeders up and just ask Barry and Barb to keep them filled with my supply of seeds until I return.

I thought I’d include my view out my dining booth window tonight.  That view could change soon.  There is another volunteer couple coming in at the end of the month.  They have two sites to choose from, and I’m hoping they choose the site across from me.  We’ll see.

Exciting around here

Exciting around here. Since I last posted, there hasn’t been much that’s been exciting around here.  I roved on Sunday morning, and worked the VC in the afternoon.  We had a whopping six visitors for the day, sold nothing in the nature store, and closed up in record time.  I was able to get a few pictures during my roving time, so that’s what you’ll see tonight.

It was cold enough in the morning that this pied-billed grebe didn’t have to worry about any alligators snacking on it in Alligator Pond.

Yesterday morning, I attended a two hour refuge staff meeting that included welcoming a new staff member, Cindy, who will have her office in the VC.  Guess I’ll be seeing her often and getting to know her.  She likes birds, so I think we’ll get along just fine.

Found my three sandhill crane friends again in the field around the secret pond.  My guess is this is a family of cheese heads (from Wisconsin).  Looks like the adults are on the outside of the pic with the youngster in the middle.  The top of its head doesn’t seem as red as the adults.

A couple of other bloggers have talked about the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) that has been going on across the Americas since 1900.  With a surgery date of Jan. 8, I will be able to participate in the refuge CBC on Dec. 29.  During yesterday’s meeting, I talked with staff member Art, and will be traveling with him in a boat that day to count the birds out in the swamp.  I’m excited about that!  Any time I can get out on the waters of the Okefenokee swamp I’m a happy camper.

The cranes were a little skittish on Sunday, and soon silently took flight.  Cranes are usually pretty vocal, but they were quiet as mice this time.  I try to stay far enough away that I don’t disturb them.

A good share of today was taken up with a trip to Kingsland, GA, to take care of errands.  I’ll probably talk about some of my purchases tomorrow night.  Spending a little time at the Publix grocery store was amongst my stops.  I succumbed to their individual packaging and bought a slice of cheese cake.  I so appreciate being able to buy just one slice as apposed to a whole cake.  That one slice will last me three days.  Once again I ended up with more in my cart than was on my shopping list.  Some day I’ll learn not to go grocery shopping when I’m hungry.

Adios, my friends.  See you next time!

I actually got a promised call from Mayo in Waycross this afternoon.  My pre-op appointment to be checked out to be okay for surgery and meet with the anesthesiologist has been scheduled for Dec. 31.  If all goes well, I’ll have something to celebrate on New Year’s Eve!