All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Platte River Sandhill Crane Migration Morning Madness!

Year 4

How does one communicate the visual experience of 460,000 Sandhill Cranes? The number of cranes is not my estimate, but the Audubon Center’s estimate. Last night, Molly and I stood on a footbridge over the Platte River in 20F temperatures and a strong wind and saw what we thought were a small numbers of cranes, certainly no where near 1/2 million birds.

Given our experience the prior night, we almost did not head back to the Platte at sunrise. Oh my, would that have been a mistake. Sandhill cranes were everywhere as they left their night time roosts on mid river sandbars and flew out to farm fields for breakfast.

I have include three videos, which is a much larger number than I would normally post, but perhaps it will help you understand what one of the last great North American migrations both looks and sounds like! I have also included one still image to start the process … taken by my wife Molly of me watching the amazing spectacle. Check out Molly’s blog at SuperiorFootprints.Org.

Video 1: Sandhill Crane Mass Landing & Takeoff

Video 2: Sandhill Cranes Filled the Sky!

Video 3: Sandhill Cranes Filled the Sky!

Platte River Migration Honking Good Time! (video)

Year 4

Hmmm … I tried to count snow geese this afternoon flying over head near the banks of the Platte River. Gave up after about 10,000! For over 15 minutes, successive waves of V’s flew overhead as they migrated north. Would not be surprised if I saw over 100,000! Awe inspiring. Oh yes, the official count of Sandhill Cranes according to the Crane Center is 460,000! Uff dah. If you are into peace and quiet this is not a place to visit. Add all the honking geese to the honking cranes … whole lot of honking going on!!!

These two photos are from earlier in the day. Most of the surrounding ponds were iced over except this bit of water. The snow geese, greater white fronted geese, Ross’ Geese and Canada Geese filled the air and water. Most of the birds (i.e. thousands and thousands) were out in farm fields eating.

Geese Filled the Sky!

Geese Filled the Water!

And a short video …

Winter Birding Wrap-Up: Owl Drink to That!

Year 4,

Molly and I were supposed to leave today on a winter road trip. Mother Nature and a fierce winter storm in southern Minnesota had other ideas. We are hanging around the Northland for one more day while the weather improves. Our plan is to drive to the American Southwest, and do a series of day rides on our bicycles.

The end result is I visited the “owling grounds” before sunrise one last time this morning. Obviously I had not planned on even being in the area. Thankfully, owls once they establish winter hunting territories can be somewhat easy to find. I was pleased to have calm winds, and decent light … while I searched for a Great Gray Owl to photograph 20 minutes before the sun popped over the horizon. This owl was extremely cooperative … allowing me to hike into position and get down on the ground such that I could capture’s dawn’s orange glow.

Yesterday I visited Yoki! It was fun to hang out with my Northern Hawk Owl. It had been a few weeks since my last visit. Yoki was kind enough to hunt for me while I shivered in the below zero temperatures. By the time we get home, all these owls should have moved off their winter territories in preparation for summer mating. As I noted … winter birding … “Owl drink to that!”