Sandhill Cranes

As I set off today for one of my favorite places on this marvelous planet for a few, too few, days of ski nirvana on Rendezvous Mountain at Jackson Hole. I will leave you with a moment of bird-watching joy I experienced while riding the Silver Comet the day before yesterday.

T and I bundled up for a chilly ride. No small matter considering the haranguing I endured in her successful attempt to get me away from my work for some much-needed physical exertion. It was cold. Well, I tried to use it as an excuse. Minnesota stud that I am.

Anyway, we were tooling down the path, trees arching overhead when we both heard an odd squawk. T pointed a tiny finger into the sky, veered sharply on her bike, and chortled "geese". Sure enough, flying overhead in their tell-tale V formations were hundreds of... wait a minute... those aren't geese. The shape was wrong. Their necks were far too long... Body shape is too thin... wingspan... huge... Holy SHIT! Those geese aren't geese at all.

Hundreds of Sandhill Cranes were squawking overhead on their journey north to their summering grounds in the Northern US and beyond.

I was absolutely agog.

There are dozens of crane species worldwide. Sandhill's are one of two species of cranes endemic to North America. Their population is growing and number somewhere in the range of 500,000. The only other crane that calls North America its home is the Whooping Crane. Whooping Cranes are one of the most endangered species of any animal. Their fate isn't a matter protection, rather, a matter of time. Only 200 of these magnificent birds remain in the entire world.

In Georgia, Okeefenochee Swamp provides refuge for a large population of Sandhills during the winter months. Evolution may not have much traction in Georgia, but we do provide a fantastic sanctuary for a big beautiful bird.