“Knock on Wood”

Nothing much that is exciting is happening in my world right now, so tonight’s blog is just a mix about the ordinary things of the last two days. 

                                                                            Juvenile white ibis

Tonight’s photos are some I’ve taken around the refuge since I arrived.  I actually took no pictures yesterday or today.  Like I said, it’s pretty lack luster around here right now.  I worked yesterday at the VC, and spent some time roving.  I did check things out at the Chesser Homestead since I’m assigned there for a couple of days next week.

                                                             Little blue heron in the swamp.

I did stop in to the VC in the morning to give another call to the Mayo hospital in Waycross to see if a surgery schedule has been set up yet for my doctor in December since they said last week that a calendar should be set up by today.  No luck there.  They said to call back next week.  I ignored that suggestion, called again today, and was told the same thing.  Uf-dah!  I’m anxious to get this surgery over with.  This is literally a pain in the hip!

                                                                          Toothache Grass

It’s believed that toothache grass was used by Native Americans to help out with their dental maladies.  I did read that if you chew the lower stem, it produces numbness.  I wonder if I could rub it on my hip? 

The seed head of this plant is pretty distinctive.  I’ve only found one batch of it so far in my wanderings here.  It is native to the coastal wetlands of the southeastern United States.  I recognized it from my times at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR.

                Mama alligator barely visible.  Very little sun and warmth for her to bask in the last week.

After doing a week and a half’s worth of laundry this morning, I headed into headquarters to submit my bird tour proposal.  They’re slightly formal about these things at this refuge.  I’m pleased to report that my “Knock on Wood” tour was heartily approved by the powers that be.  I’ve heard that this isn’t always the case.    I’m going to gloat a little here and say, “You’re not dealing with an amateur here.”  (shame on me)

Knock on Wood?  Yep, it will be a bird tour highlighting the eight species of woodpeckers that can be found on the refuge including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.  I must admit that I had thought of some other titles for this tour about peckers that weren’t exactly politically correct.    Can you guess what they were?

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy