January 7, 2015. Bird-watching on Goose Island

CAMPGROUND:  4th night at a Goose Island State Park

WEATHER:  Partly sunny. Highs around 60

We awoke to the sounds of airboats zooming out into the bay.  We learned that these are duck hunters.  

We went on a 2-hour bird-watching hike with a state park ranger.  We saw lots of interesting birds that she helped to identify.  Some of the people in the group are SERIOUS birders.  First, you have to identify the general category of the bird, like a plover.  Then, you debate with others about the slant of the eyebrow or some other supposedly distinguishing feature to decide what type of plover, or whatever.  Then, male or female, adolescent or adult, etc etc.  In any case, it was a very pleasant hike. We were lucky with the weather....the predicted cold front has not arrived yet.  

After the hike, we passed the fish-cleaning station where the airboat hunters were cleaning their ducks.  Pretty gruesome to watch.  

We took a drive on the island to where the ranger said we could spot a whooping crane.  Sure enough, about 8 were there.  Magnificent!  Huge!

Then, we hiked around the park, taking a "short-cut" that led us on a deer path to nowhere.  Good exercise!

Today is the one-year anniversary of our Airstream purchase. It has served us well.  We've put about 30,000 miles on it.  The only temptation, now that we have a truck with a bigger motor, is to trade it in for a bigger one.  I don't think we will succumb to that, at least for awhile.

We are truly Happy Campers!   

DINNER:  Chili.  I used the last of the grilled hamburger, and added beans and lots of veggies.  I sautéed everything first on the grill, then finished it up with the soup inside.