January 15, 2008 - Day 80 Wakulla County,
FL - St. Marks NWR
Among the many things that required attention today was delivering our
spare aircraft to the Arrival Flyover event in the town of St.
Marks, FL. Chris followed behind our truck, and Richard followed
behind Chris as he drove the wingless trike down Port Leon Rd.
We also had to build a temporary top-netted enclosure to hold the 7
cranes that will be wintering on the refuge. OM volunteers Gerald
Murphy and Dale Richter hold some of the large panels in place while
refuge volunteer Tom navigates the Kubota out to the pensite.
Refuge Manager Terry Peacock helps volunteer Joe and OM pilot Chris
Gullikson attach the bottom layer of plastic fencing to the pvc
poles of the temporary enclosure.
Joe Duff and Terry stand on the roosting area in one of the two ponds
in the large 3-acre winter pen.
Tom, Chris, Dale and Heather position the T-bars that help to hold the
top net in place.
Presto! a top-netted section inside the main pen. The cranes will be
housed in this section until their final health check and banding,
which will take place next week. This will also allow them time to
get familiar with their new surroundings.
The view of the pen from inside the observation blind.
