Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

January 25...Mardi Gras Parades over and view of the Bay ...

We decided to return to The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge which is located near Gautier, MS.  It was established in 1975 to preserve one of the almost extinct birds...the Mississippi Sandhill Crane. In the 1960's the MS sandhill crane population was only 30-35 birds.
They lay 2 eggs with usually only one chick (called a colt caper) will survive.   Now with the help of captive rearing and reintroduction to the area, the crane population is now estimated at 110 birds.  On our 2nd drive to the Wildlife Refuge, there in a pasture stood a pair of these rare birds.  The refuge puts bands on all the birds legs on the refuge to monitor their movements and keep up with their numbers.  As you see below each bird has a distinct band on a leg.

These birds are in decline due to lack of habitat.  On this refuge the landscape is mostly flat, like a prairie.  The acidic, waterlogged ground is covered with rare orchids, carnivorous plants & other ground cover that thrives under the scattered long leaf and slash pines.







             

On our 3/4 mile hike I was able to pick up a bundle of pine needles for baskets.  There are 10 species of carnivorous plants that live here including the Pitcher plant (above right).

J walking the well kept trail and I picking up a few longleaf pine needles.

The Mississippi sandhill crane differs f cranes as they are a subspecies that is a shorter bird, darker in color, and DO NOT migrate.  The two species DO NOT interbreed, and ONLY the greater sandhill crane migrates south for the winter.  The MS sandhill crand stands about 31/2 - 4 feet high with a 7 foot wingspan...mating for life...living about 20 years.

rom the Florida

On our first visit to the refuge, we did not see any cranes; but, did watch a small deer jump around in the savanna and palmettos.

Here are examples of shells found in this area.

.........................Horseshoe crab shell...............................Early ships used to collect oysters..................

 

There were wooden carvings all thru the visitor's center.  J loved the gator  & gator bench.  I liked the armadillo.  Thus far in our travels, we have seen NO active armadillos.

Here are samples of some of the animal hides trapped in the area.  Reminded me of when my dad trapped years ago for a little extra $$$ selling the hides to Taylor Fur Company.

 

Above...Red Fox..........................................Coyote................................................

 

Above............Raccoon................................River Otter....................................
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Then on our way back to the trailer we enjoyed a late lunch/dinner at El Saltillo Mexican Restaurant.

Then a tour of the boat ramp where 2 Osprey were whistling as they looked for an easy meal.

Back at camp it was shower time and reflect on this day's adventures.  A call from the dentist.  J gets his final crown tomorrow morning.  Then Thursday (28th) we will head out for new adventures somewhere else.  Take care.  Safe travels.  See you by the campfire.