December 18, 2008 - St. Marks National Wildlife
Refuge
I ventured out to the new winter pensite with St. Marks Refuge Manager
Terry Peacock to get a firsthand look at what she, and her team of
staff and volunteers have been working on since the beginning of
October. Above is the view from inside the observation blind looking
out at the 3-acre release pen as Butch, a volunteer from Waupaca, WI
digs a PVC pipe into the ground, which will deliver fresh water to
the pensite.
The pen is constructed of plastic fencing, and reinforced at the
bottom by 'hog fence' to keep the feral pigs from digging under to
gain access to the crane food.
A view of the feeding station inside the release pen. Gravity feeders
will be suspended inside this roofed structure, which will keep the
crane chow dry.
These juvenile Ibis have been checking out the pen and have given it
their stamp of approval.
One of two large ponds inside the release pen. It's full of tiny fish
and periwinkles which I'm sure the cranes will have a blast
consuming!
Looking across the other pond at the entry gate.
A rather large Blue Crab inside the pen.
Returning to the blind, which is very well camouflaged!
