10 March 2011

Another beautiful day in paradise! This time of year the wind comes out of the north which means the water is slightly cooler than summer (about 76 degrees F) and the air temperature rises to 82 degrees F during the day and drops about ten degrees at night. The low humidity coupled with the passing clouds made setting traps on the refuge much too comfortable. It just doesn't seem right to not be drenched in sweat all day.

Things are definitely changing down here. The DOT is building a new road on the refuge that is flat and straighter. I kind of miss the bone-jarring rides and sweltering heat. We delayed going to the Refuge until noon because Mike was supposed to be on a conference call from 10:30 until noon. True to form, the call started when we arrived at noon. We set 27 traps baited with chicken feet by early afternoon and returned to Refuge headquarters to get keys from Mike. Unfortunately Mike didn't have all the keys we needed and had to get some more made and then, being the incredibly nice guy he is, he dropped the keys off at about 6:30 pm at Cottages By The Sea. The plane carrying Julian, Kris, and Brad was delayed in Miami due to an intense thunder storm, but they still arrived in time to see the sunset from the patio. Another fine pizza dinner at the Lost Dog to end another beautiful day in paradise (and this one was for 56 years on Earth).

Mongoose trap baited with a chicken foot.