About two weeks ago Kathy & I drove out to Kearney, NE, (about 2.5 hours west) and stayed overnight so Kathy could attend a meeting the next morning. After her meeting we took the long, slow way home driving through the area of Nebraska along the Platte River that is the temporary home of some 400,000 – 500,000 (or more) Sandhill Cranes.
The unmistakable sound of these birds is beautiful and so pleasing to the ear (unless you’re trying to sleep in a photo blind close to them during the night – they never stop talking!), and a sure sign that Spring is here – or just around the corner. The Cranes stop in NE for some 3-4 weeks in the Mar-Apr time frame every year – and have been doing so for eons. They feed on the corn left from last fall’s harvest and also on whatever rodents and snakes they can find. After a few weeks in the NE corn fields they are noticeably fatter and ready to finish their journey to their breeding grounds up north
As we started our drive home the sky was overcast and the light was not good for photography, but… As we drove East the clouds cleared away, the sun came out, and the light got much better. Made nearly 1200 clicks. I have narrowed the field to about 50 and am now working my way through them. This photo is the first of the bunch.
These guys put on a real show for the ladies. It seemed like the ladies paid no attention to our dancer, but Kathy & I sure paid attention. More pictures to come soon… I hope.
A BEAUTIFUL BIRD AND IN THE FALL THE SKY IS FULL DOWN AT OUR SANCTUARY WHERE THE HIWASEE RIVER TEES INTO THE TENNESSEE
THESE BIRDS ARE LARGE. EVA AND I HAVE DRIVEN TWICE IN THE PLATTE RIVER AREA .REALLY LIKE ASH HOLLOW .