City Stuff

It's been a busy couple of weeks since I last wrote on this thing. We had our annual crane physicals out at ACRES, so folks from the zoo and aquarium both came out to help us grab up birds and make sure they're alright. Thankfully, everyone came out with a clean bill of health!

In other crane news, we're caring for a wild bird brought in from the Mississippi Sandhill Crane refuge that got hit by a car. Thankfully he's doing alright now, but that means it's time for a public service announcement. Please keep an eye out for large birds when you're driving, because if you hit it, you'll manage to be the person who missed the 4-foot tall bird crossing the road, and you'll look tremendously silly.

It wasn't just physicals time for our cranes this month. Audubon Aquarium's penguins were also due for a check-up. The cranes staff were allowed to take part in the round-up, because who doesn't want to hold a penguin? People who don't like penguin bites, that's who. I still have a few bruises. Thanks to the hardworking team of penguin keepers and vets, though, everybody came out alright, penguins included.

Once physicals were done, I met up with my visiting friend Maria, who promised me money for this shout-out. See, it has to be true, since I wrote it here. Totally legit. Anyway, we checked out the rest of the aquarium, and even got to go behind-the-scenes for the feeding of the big Gulf Coast tank thanks to a chance encounter with our resident veterinarian.

Maria gets a little more up close and personal with the parakeets than maybe she'd like.

We spent the next day and a half doing some sight-seeing and, of course, eating our way through the French Quarter and Uptown New Orleans. Cafe du Monde, St. Louis Cathedral, and the World War II museum were just a few stops on the tour. I hope she had as great a time as I had during our visit. See you next time, Maria!!

Next time, final thoughts on my time in New Orleans and post-Mardi Gras nostalgia!! To hold you over until then, here are some cats and baby cranes!

Mud 'n Cranes: A New Orleans Winter

Time to get up to speed, then.

Currently, I work at the Audubon Center for the Research of Endangered Species (ACRES for short), one of several of the Audubon Institute's footholds in the New Orleans area. Located far from the hustle and bustle of the city, ACRES is not open to visitors, but contributes not just to zoo and aquarium care, but to wild populations of endangered species. In addition to acting as an invaluable genetic bank for a variety of at-risk species (including the African black-footed cat, clouded leopards, and saddle-billed storks) , ACRES is the primary site for the captive rearing of the endangered Mississippi sandhill crane, a subspecies of the sandhill crane. Some of its other claims to fame include the first caracal cat created from a thawed embryo, the first serval born as a result of in vitro fertilization, and the first black-footed cat to be carried in the womb and given birth to by a domestic cat. Very cool stuff.

Due to the vast amount of land required for such an undertaking, ACRES also acts as a valuable habitat island in an area where wildlife is otherwise forced to live an urban life. Wetland birds, mammals, and a wide host of reptile and amphibian life call the grounds home. This makes life interesting for both keepers and the animals they care for, who almost certainly appreciate the natural enrichment (especially when it comes in the form of a tasty prey item).

Barred owls are a common sight early in the morning, and can be heard throughout the night.

Amphibians, such as this toad, in addition to anoles, skinks, turtles and a host of snakes take advantage of the space.

Turkey vultures (such as the one seen here) and black vultures migrate through the area en masse.

New Orleans itself is a city of contradictions; ancient-looking cemeteries filled with ornate mausoleums are nestled in neighborhoods where a few minutes walk leads to all the comforts of a modern city. A half-hour's drive from one of the most developed parts of this state leads to large wildlife refuges where the unique wetland and pine savanna habitat that Louisiana from other states are preserved. Refuges such as Jean Lafitte National Park, Bayou Sauvage, and Big Branch preserve species that can be found in few other habitats, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, as well as more common wildlife, like alligators, ibis, and egrets.

Supposedly, this is the tomb of New Orleans voodoo queen Marie Laveau

This is a city of celebration, and nothing is more worth celebration than excellent food, something there is no shortage of here. Seafood is, naturally, abundant, and people are happy to take advantage of the bounty. There are few things that can't be thrown on a po'boy, fried, or rolled up into boudin. Excess is also celebrated, perhaps best illustrated by the wide variety of food challenges to be had here, such as the Tchoupitoulas Challenge of the Creole Creamery: 8 heaping scoops of rich ice cream with 11 toppings piled on high, then served in a bowl bigger than your head. Fortunately, yours truly was up to the challenge.

This city is nothing like New York or Chicago, where it's easy to feel lost among the towering skyscrapers and overwhelming crowds. It feels homey, and has a charm unlikely to be found anywhere else. If you ignore the cars and iPhones, its easy to feel like you're in an altogether different era.

Until next time, Rastaman and the gang say, "Don't worry, be happy."