Great Beaches Near John & Lucille's

Crystal Coast - Mild weather year round - Golfing - Kayaking - Shopping - Festivals!

Emerald Isle is one of the most beautiful beaches along the east coast of the United States and 8 miles from the John & Lucille's Country Retreat. It offers visitors a peaceful, family atmosphere and stunning white sandy shores; the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the sound/ intra-coastal waterway on the other. There are activities for all ages and interest along with fantastic restaurants and shops. The Crystal Coast of North Carolina is known for the clear, clean, unspoiled beaches, abundance of wildlife and friendly people. The Cameron Langston Bridge on Highway 58 crosses over Bogue sound to the island. The view of the sound from the bridge is spectacular year round.

The Western Beach access is about 10 minutes from John & Lucille's. It has great parking, bathrooms, covered area and wooden walkways to the beach. There is also an outside shower to wash off near the boardwalk. Tip: To get a parking space arrive early because this is a popular spot for visitors and locals as well.

John & Lucille’s Country Retreat is nestled on 50 acres tucked in the farm lands of Stella, only 8 miles and one stop light from the beaches of Emerald Isle. Whether a romantic getaway, a reunion of family and friends, an anniversary, or for out of town wedding guests, I invited you to experience the luxury of a unique vacation farm rental that is beautiful adorned and accommodates up to 8 people. Spend the day on the beach or stroll among the shops and museums of historic Swansboro, Beaufort, New Bern, and Morehead City. The Crystal Coast is an ideal location for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and golf. John & Lucille’s Country Retreat is in the center of everything that southeastern North Carolina and the Crystal Coast has to offer.

Enjoy the Crystal Coast any season of the year!

Come stay at John & Lucille's and enjoy all the coast of North Carolina has to Offer!

For reservations and information : stella@ec.rr.com

Croatan National Forest Recreation Area

The Perfect Spot - Kayaking, Boating, Hiking

The Croatan National Forest at Cedar point is located on VFW Road off Highway 58 going toward Emerald Isle, North Carolina. There is a boat ramp, nature trail, parking, picnic area and bathrooms.

John & Lucille's Country Retreat is only 10 minutes from the Cedar point Boat ramp and the National Forest. Visit http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/ for information on renting the farmhouse.

Tideland Nature Trail

The nature trails wind through the woods, across wooden walkways, and down to the White Oak river. You can get a beautiful view of the river and the marshlands.

The paths are gravel, making it a great place to jog or casually stroll. You can take a short or long walk. The paths circle around and bring you back to main path or can enjoy all the twist and turns of this nature trail. Wonderful for children and adults.

Boat Ramp
It is a great spot to launch a kayak and paddle out to Jones Island, across the White Oak River and under the Swansboro Bridge, and then up the intra-coastal Waterway. There are lots of sandy beaches to pull up and have lunch. At low tide it can be difficult for boats. Check the tide schedule before coming. Otherwise, it is a great boat ramp.

Picnic Area, Parking, & Bathrooms

There is a grassy area with picnic tables, grills and lots of shade. There is plenty of parking for cars and larger parking spaces for those pulling boats. The bathrooms are always clean. It is a perfect place to bring children for a picnic and hike the nature trail.

Quest Comments - 2009

John & Lucille's Country Retreat

252-725-0236

http://www.stellacountryretreat.com

Elegant farmhouse only 8 minutes and one stop light from the beautiful beaches of Emerald Isle -Four Bedrooms, 3 baths and sleep 8-Ideal for vacations, reunions, and small weddings.

Thank you so very much for the hospitality and especially your exquisite personal touches in making our visit with our son and his family a very memorable one. We all spent Thanksgiving here and had a wonderful time. It made our visit so comfortable with all of room and comforts of home. S Kraynik 11/28/2009

We came for our niece's wedding. The cottage was perfect....spacious and so comfortable. Everyone congregated here. Thank you so much for your kind hospitality. The flowers were beautiful and the food/beverages so appreciated. We want to come back.
L. Geremina, Raleigh, NC 10/3/2009

During our visit we celebrated my daughter’s marriage. The wedding was reception were both beautiful! It rained some during the reception but the porch provided perfect coverage. The quaint setting made for a romantic wedding. It was her dream wedding. Thank you for making this home so welcoming. K. Meador Virginia Beach, VA 9/26/2009

The beds, like the home, are fabulously comfortable! We had a delightful stay-thank you so much for this! B. Lundiens Annapolis, MD8/23/2009

We had an unbelievable week in your very comfortable and homey retreat. The house is wonderful and your beautiful touches have added so much. We loved the area and found so many wonderful things to do and explore. It has been heavenly. Thank you for the gift basket and beautiful flowers. C. Seymour, Ebensburg, PA 8/8/2009

After driving for 900 miles to reach this beautiful home, we cannot express the feeling of welcome when we entered the door. We have had a lovely two weeks. The boys loved the surf. We had a great trip to Cape Lookout, Fort Macon, Harkers Island, Hammocks Beach State Park & of course the beach. The Gray Family, Toronto, Canada 7/12/2009

Thank you so much, Deloria, for sharing your retreat with us. It is so homey and comfortable. You went all out with the goodies in the basket, fruit, fresh flowers, water in the fridge. You made us feel so welcome with the personal card. My grandson was ecstatic when we came inside the house. His first response was "We must come back here." Both grand kids had a ball. There was so much space for them to play and ride their bikes. It was such peace for the adults and all the amenities were so thoughtful. We had a wonderful time!! M. Exum, Durham, NC 6/19/2009

This has been a dream come true! This house felt just like home, and we can’t wait to come back. Thank you for filling this place with so many loving memories.
L. Winestine, Raleigh, NC 9/13/2009

Thank you so much for opening up this beautiful home to use for our wedding! We all had such a wonderful time that we will never forget. The weather was perfect and the property made every picture we took look amazing. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect week for our friends and family. Thanks again!
Patrick & Rileigh Ray, Newport, NC 9/6/2009

How wonderful to sleep under a guilt! It is like staying at grandmas! Thanks for your overwhelming hospitality. This home is so full of love. L. Atkinson, Statesville, NC

…..It was great to have everything we needed available in the kitchen. Each bedroom with its unique décor gave us a welcome surprise. Thanks for everything. The Amon Family, Catawba, NC 8/15/2009

We worried just a bit about not being closer to the beach, but the short distance proved to be more than a fair trade for the tranquility we experienced. Deloria’s eye for detail provided everything that helped our family feel right at home. The Griffins, Terre Haute, IN 5/16/2009

Deloria, thank you for such a beautiful and peaceful stay. Your retreat is fabulous and we couldn’t have asked for more. We had a great family gathering and look forward to many more here! You know exactly how to make a guest feel at home!
The baby loved the Easter basket with snacks and the fruit. I thank you for such great hospitality and beautiful flowers. You really are special and we truly appreciate everything you have done to make this trip memorable! B. Westhoff Dallas, TX 3/21/2009

After two days and 14 hours of driving through snow, sleet, and rain we were so excited when we drove up to this beautiful house. We knew it would be perfect when we saw the lighted Christmas tree outside and the beautiful wreath on the door. The gifts and special card on the table were a welcomed surprise. The girls couldn’t believe “Santa” had left a letter. When we rounded the bend and saw the cozy perfectly decorated living room, we knew we were in the right place. You have put so much into this blessed retreat and our family appreciated it all (comfortable beds, Christmas decorations, beautiful sheets, abundant towels, etc.) We had so much time to play games, do puzzles, read, and relax together-it is the way holidays were meant to be! I believe that the love your parents shared still blesses this house. The Whaley Family 12/27/2009

Cold Spell Damages Flowers

Recently I posted an article about Sasanqua Camelias VS Japonica Camleias. In that post I wrote the following:

I prefer the Sasanqua over the Japonica. On the crystal coast the Japonica blooms in December and January. Sometimes our coastal winds and sudden cold spells burn the buds and blooms. At Thanksgiving the weather is warmer and the sasanqua is a show stopper. So even though the Japonica flowers are larger and fuller than the sasanqua, Japonica blooms can ruin quickly with a atypical cold spell.

Well, during the past two weeks low tempertures have damaged the Japonica Camelias blooms as you can see in the photos. Even though the Camelias at the retreat are very large and old growth the blooms have been hurt by the dips in the temperture. The buds show dark spots caused by the weather so I don't know how many flowers will open after this cold spell.

Until a few weeks ago there had been lots of rain and rather mild temperatures so the early blooms were huge this year and beautiful in color.

Every Christmas my mother would decorate the farmhouse with the Camelias. I've kept this tradition but not this year!

http://WWW.STELLACOUNTRYRETREAT.COM

252-725-0236

Colorful Fall Flowers

Sasanqua Camellia, native to Japan and the Ryukyu Islands, is one of my favorite foundation plantings. Its dark green waxy foliage alone is enough to have a place in the garden landscape. The sasanqua, however has an added fall surprise with its indescribable show of of pink and red blossoms. There are clusters of buds and profuse blossoms equal to colorful spring flowers. And when fall colors are predominant, this splash of pink and red really stands out.


Petals fall to the ground around the base of the shrub making a carpet of color, adding to the beauty


The sasanqua is not as large as the well known Japonica Camellia and better suited for small spaces. It is a densely branched evergreen with pyramidal to oval-rounded shape. It grows about 6-10’ high with lustrous dark green leaves and 2-3” flowers and can be pruned to a tree like shape.


I prefer the Sasanqua over the Japonica. On the crystal coast the Japonica blooms in December and January. Sometimes our coastal winds and sudden cold spells burn the buds and blooms. At Thanksgiving the weather is warmer and the sasanqua is a show stopper. So even though the Japonica flowers are larger and fuller than the sasanqua, Japonica blooms can ruin quickly with a atypical cold spell.

One of the common cultivars found at most nurseries is “Yuletide” It has a re d flower with yellow stamens, single form, upright habit and dark green foliage. Another great sasanqua is “pink Butterfly”, bright pink, single, very large, October - November, and vigorous grower

Sources:

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael A. Dirr, page 173, Stipes Publishing, Campaign, Illinois, 5th revision - 1998.

All About Azaleas, Camellias, & Rhododendrons, Ortho Books, page 18 & 89

John & Lucille's Country Retreat

252-725-0236

Crystal Coast Vacations

Thanks to Jason at Crystal Coast Rentals. for the following write-up about the John & Lucille Country Retreat. We appreciate his kind words.

Stella Country Retreat!

This vacation rental is simply amazing. When you look at all of the amenities it will provide you and your family, it’s easy to see the value here. The Stella Country Retreat is a place out in the country, not far at all from the beach.

The retreat is a large farmhouse that will take you back to simpler times for a very relaxing vacation experience. Staying off the island has several advantages with regards to noise and traffic.

Stella, NC is a quiet, and laid back kind of place. If you want to head to the beach for the day, you can be on the sand in about 15 minutes, if that. Pick fresh grapes from the vine while relaxing on the property. There are several other fruits to choose from too. Plum, apple, and fig tress also grow here.

The retreat is a great place for visitors planning to do some hunting or fishing. There’s a boat ramp very close to the retreat.

Visiting someone stationed at an area military installation? You’d be hard pressed to find better accommodations while staying in the area.

There’s plenty of activities to do in our area, and the Stella Country Retreat puts you right in the middle of a lot of them. The beaches, aquarium, and shopping are all very close by.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Crystal Coast.

Happy New Year - 2009

The Retreat is still dressed in its holiday finest but the season is almost over with the New Year quickly approaching. It is time to start thinking about your next visit to this peaceful vacation home on North Carolina's Crystal Coast.


Resolve to vacation at the John & Lucille Country Retreat in the coming year. The retreat is waiting for you year-round with a wide variety of local activities each season.with 2008 rates. Spring and Summer months book quickly so call early to make your vacation plans at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, only one stop light from beaches of Emerald Isle and lots of shopping in the nearby historic Swansboro and the village of Cape Carteret.

2009 Rates Our 2009 rates are the same as 2008.
Rental Rates-2009

Guest Comments

Our guest leave comments about how wonderful the Retreat is for families. Spending time here for the holidays will be special. Click here Our guest say it best. Spacious and Roomy The retreat easily seats 12-14 people in the dining area and there is plenty space needed to prepare the meals. The kitchen is fully equipped with lovely china to set a beautiful table for those family meals. Also if your house is small, sometimes guests are sent to nearby motels. The cost of renting the Farmhouse is less than booking multiple hotel rooms.

For Reservations and Information call Deloria.

800-892-6775

"The retreat is as close to home
as you can get."

To show appreciation for the sacrifice of our troops and their families, I offer a 10% Military Discount to those on active duty and their families. Just tell me when you call to book your reservation.
See Military Discount

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq . We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. Ludwig Family, Melbourne , Fl

For reservations and information
800-892-6775
Homeaway.com property 171885
VRB0.com property 197997

Catch The Holiday Spirit!

John & Lucille's Country Retreat

We're wearing our holiday finest this season and looking forward to your visit to this peaceful vacation home in the

crysal coast of North Carolina.

The Retreat is ready for your next visit

in 2009 with 2009 rates!

We're open year-round with a variety of local activities each season.

Make your vacation plan early to reserve your time at the

John & Lucille Country Retreat.

For reservations and information: 800-892-6775

Homeaway.com Property # 171885

VRBO.com Property # 197997

Spend The Holidays At The Retreat

The holidays bring families together to share great meals and to express love and affection for each other.

However, holiday time can also have stress and frustration. Spending the holidays at the John & Lucille Country Retreat can help alleviate the holiday hassle while saving money too.

Decorating- Let us decorate for you. The farmhouse is decorated beautiful for the holidays. You will save time by not having to put up the tree or take it down afterwards. Decorating for the holidays is a big job and takes a lot of planning and time.

Visiting Military- Staying at the retreat is as close to home as you can get for the holidays. We also give a 10% military discount for those visiting with marines at Camp Lejuene and Cherry Point.

We enjoyed staying at this wonderful, peaceful, comfortable home as we welcomed "home" our son/brother from his (USMC) deployment to Iraq. We will likely be back again, and will spread the word about this special place. Thank you for all the care you take, Deloria, to make it so nice. Ludwig Family, Melbourne, Fl

Hosting Holiday Festivities- Families often alternate hosting the holiday get-togethers. Spending the holidays at a centrally located home enable groups to split the holiday duties and expenses equally.

Roomy: The John & Lucille Country retreat easily seats 12-14 people in the dining area and there is plenty space needed to prepare the meals. The kitchen is fully equipped including a turkey roaster and lovely china to set a beautiful table for those holiday meals. Also if your house is small, sometimes guests are sent to nearby motels. The cost of renting the Farmhouse is less than booking multiple hotel rooms.

No Housework: With people in town for the holiday season, it is harder than usual to keep the house neat. We eliminate all the cleaning before guest arrive. You will begin your celebration as soon as you arrive.

Affordable: During the holiday season travelers can benefit from the reduced rates during the traditionally slower season.
Your wallet will thank you. Rental Rates - 2008

Our guest leave comments about how wonderful the Retreat is for families. Spending time here for the holidays will be special. Our guest say it best.

Visit John & Lucille's Country Retreat website

Grapes Ripe In September

On the north side of the farmhouse my parents planted Muscadine grapes over 25 years ago. The grape arbor now stretches 25 -30 feet long and is a beautiful site from the windows in the kitchen and dining area. Near the end of August the grapes begin to ripen and continue into October.

Muscadine grapes are native to the south and many people called them scuppernong. However, Scuppernong is the first cultivar named of the muscadine grapes. Here at the farmhouse there is also the Thomas (black) grape which is very good for cooking. To me, the scuppernong grape is the best eaten fresh from the vine. Grapes will keep in the refrigerator up to a week.

Guest vacationing at the farmhouse are encouraged to enjoy these delicious grapes. Part of the fun is the fellowship with friends and family while standing around the grape vine. I even have a bench for those who wish to rest for a few moments while picking and eating grapes. It an experience to be among the lush green leaves on the vines that cascade toward the ground, to smell the aroma of the ripe fruit and to taste this sweet fruit. This is a special season for me because is makes me so aware of the joy friends, family, and guest have here at this special home place of my parents.

During grape season I love to cook a grape pie. If you like fruit pies, I am sure you will love a grape pie too. I have cooked this pie and it is one of my favorites.

Grape Pie

Pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
5 cups fresh black or muscadine grapes
¾ cups sugar
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice

Line a 9-inch pie-plate with half of pastry; set aside
Wash grapes thoroughly, and remove seeds.
Place grapes in a large saucepan.
Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce heat
Cook 15 minutes or until grapes are soft.
Remove from heat; stir in sugar, tapioca, lemon rind, and lemon juice.
Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate.
Cover with top pastry.
Trim edges of pastry; seal and flute edges.
Cut slits in top of pastry to allow steam to escape.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes;
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30 minutes

Dee’s Tip: Especially if I am using muscadine grapes, I add a couple drops of red food coloring to the grape mixture. It kicks the color up a notch!!


Source: Southern Living Annual 1985 Recipes page 212.

For information and reservation call 800-892-6775. Also visit the website: http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/

Eating Fresh Figs -A Highlight for Guests at the John & Lucille Country Retreat

One of the amenities while staying at the John & Lucille Country Retreat is picking the fresh fruit grown around the house. Guest can pick fresh plums, apples, figs, Muscatine grapes, and pecans when in season. For many guest this is a highlight of the week here at the Retreat. There is something special about eating home grown fruit while strolling the beautiful yard surrounding the Retreat. In late July and August figs begin to ripen.

Here at the John & Lucille Retreat the variety grown is call Celeste, a small to medium size fig that has a sugary flavor. It has a light violet to a violet-brown color with flesh of reddish amber. Figs must be allowed to ripen fully on the trees before they are picked. They will not ripen if picked before they mature. A ripe fruit is slightly soft and beginning to bend at the neck. Fresh figs only keep in the refrigerator 2-3 days so our guests are encourage to enjoy picking and eating plenty of figs while they are vacationing.

While many people think of figs as the main ingredient in Fig Newtons® or maybe preserves few have enjoyed the juicy sweet taste of fresh figs. The good news is not only are fresh figs a delicious fruit but they have great health benefits too. Figs are a good source of potassium which helps to control blood pressure. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and calcium promoting positive weight management and bone density. Finally they contain the trace mineral manganese.

Figs grow on the Ficus tree, which is a member of the Mulberry family. The ficus tree has large bright green leaves up to one foot in length. The branches spread wider than they are tall. The fig tree can be traced back to writings in historical documents as well as the Bible. The first notation of fig leaves in the Bible is Genesis 3:7 where after eating the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves
Plums ripen in June

Figs ripen late July - Early August

Muscadine grapes - Late August - October

Pecans fall - October - November

Not Every Watermelon is the Same!

In Eastern North Carolina July means watermelons are ripening. It is always a special treat for the July 4th celebration to eat watermelons. However, not just any kind of watermelon will do!! The melons grown here on the coast are different from any other and have a sweet taste that is exceptional. My Dad always thought it was the weather and the sandy soil since the variety of melon grown here is not particularly special. In fact, varieties grown here on the coast such as Royal Sweet or Crimson Sweet can be easily purchased from Burpee and others. I recon it to be like the Vidalia Onion grown in Vidalia, Georgia where no other onion is as sweet and no other area has ever been able to duplicate it. So be the Bogue Sound Watermelon grown in the Bogue area of Carteret Country.

The locals have always known that the best watermelons are Bogue Sound Watermelons. Usually these melons are available from July until about mid August. On hot summer afternoons during my childhood, my mother would cut a chilled watermelon. There was always anticipation of how red it was on the inside, since in our experience that was an indicator of just how sweet and juicy it would be. She would cut the slices lengthwise so that everyone got some of the “heart” as we called it. The “heart’ or center of the watermelon is the sweetest and reddest part and few seeds.


So where are these culinary delights grown? The farms on and around Highway 24 from Cape Carteret to Morehead bordering directly or indirectly on Bogue Sound has always been considered to be Watermelon Mecca. Even though these melons have been popular locally for as long as I can remember and some think for at least 100 years, not until the Bogue Sound Watermelon Growers Association formed in 2005 and a specific sticker designed by the state to be placed on each melon, did people really know when they were getting a bonafide Bogue Sound Watermelon.

With the tobacco Buy-Out farmers started growing more watermelon to help their farms continue to be profitable. The establishment of the association gave the growers of Bogue Sound Watermelon a branding and identity that has helped expand their market area. Now a Bogue Sound Watermelon can be found in supermarkets across the nation with a cute colorful sticker labeling it as a Bogue Sounder. There are approximately 20 farmers in the association and each member brings their watermelons to a central shipping location, for inspection to ensure consistent and uniform quality and size.

If you are vacationing here at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, the closest place to buy your melon is Guthrie Farms on Highway 24 in the town of Bogue, north of Cape Carteret and Bucks Corner Farm located on Highway 58 in Pelieter. Also guest during July and August staying at the Retreat may find one of these delicious melons waiting for them in the refrigerator….chilled and ready to eat. Last week, a family from Canada staying at the retreat called when they returned home to tell me that one of the highlights of the week was the watermelon. They said it was the sweetest melon they had ever had. Of course, I told them this was not just any watermelon. It was a Bogue Sound Watermelon and that was very special.

Bird Watching on the Coast of North Carolina

Over 71 million Americans spent nearly $45 billion on observing, feeding,or watching wildlife in 2006.

Approximately 1 in 6 Americans observe birds to identify species or study their habits around the home. *

North Carolina is a premier bird watching state. Birders have long known that North Carolina has some of the finest birding hot spots in the region. The Crystal Coast is one of those ideal places for bird watching. Carteret County is now part of the Coastal Plain Region of the North Carolina Birding trail with 12 designated sites.

The trail nearest the John & Lucille Country Retreat is part of the Croatan National Forest at the boat ramp area on the White Oak River. This is a 1 mile long loop trail that provides opportunities to view salt marsh and pine/hardwood species of birds and waterfowl. The trail is a combination of boardwalks and paths crossing the marsh and pine/hardwoods as well as along the edge of the river. There are herons, egrets, and osprey. The best birding opportunities is late April through early June. There is great parking, picnic tables, and bathrooms near the trail.

The following link is an excellent brochure about the Cedar Point Nature Trail and the wildlife there. http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/cedar_point.pdf

Species of birds seen on this trail: Red-headed woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Summer Tanager, Painted Bunting, and wading birds.

Directions: From the intersection of NC 24 and NC 58 in Cape Carteret, take NC58 North for 0.7 miles. Turn left on VFW Road. Go 0.5 miles and turn left at the Croatan National Forest Sign.

Travel for about 1 mile to the end of the road.

Additional Notes on Birding:
This past Spring a Painted Bunting and an Indigo Bunting was sited feeding at the home of Ron and Mary Howard on Goose Creek. The only Painted Bunting I have seen is in the North American bird display at the Museum of National History in Washington, DC. So I was very excited to know that here in Carteret County we have these exquisite birds that migrate

through the coastal area.

In April I saw a Pilated Red Headed Woodpecker at Mike Carroll's home at Geoffrey Branch pounding on the siding of his house. Mike wasn't thrilled at the constant pecking sound or the thought of what this huge bird was doing to the siding. However, this bird was spectacular because of his size and brilliant color. Pilated woodpeckers are much larger than the common Red-headed Woodpecker.

Here at the John & Lucille Country Retreat, the Eastern Bluebirds are seen frequently as well as Robins and Mockingbirds. There are many Killdeers at the Farmhouse too. Killdeers are cute birds that use the "broken wing" act to distract anyone from their nest. They breed in open areas and often on gravel. The eggs look like stones so the eggs can be found in the slightest depression in a graveled driveway blending it into the surroundings.

Websites of Interest on Birding

The North Carolina Birding Trail, Salinda Daley, Coordinator
www.ncbirdingtrail.com

email: info@ncbirdingtrail.org

http://www.birding.com/

* 2006 US Fish and Wildlife Service National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (2007) (http://federalasst.fws./gov/surveys/surveys.html )