Maizie, my field assistant and resident canine, and I enjoyed a two-day trek to observe the Sand Hill Cranes migrating northward in the San Luis Valley in south central Colorado.
We started at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, of course.
We spent some time listening to the cranes in San Luis State Park, although we did not see many of the graceful birds.
We wondered what this unidentified two story building
with a locked gate is adjacent to the Mosca Campground, seen in the left-center part of this image (very mysterious-but, I digress).
Our next day search for the Sand Hill Cranes took us first to the Alamosa Wildlife Preserve and then, enroute to the Monte Vista Wildlife Preserve, to a cow pasture adjacent to a very narrow two-lane road.
We were alone with the birds and the cows when this noisy, chortling flyover of Sand Hill Cranes happened. Some have asked if I took the video; no, it was Maizie with her crazy-good iPad filming skills. The video is 3:39 long and gets very exciting a few seconds in.
Antigone canadensis (which are classified as part of the Gruidae family) currently number 450,000 or so in North America. They are ancient birds, having origins 2.5-10.5 million years ago, depending on classification.
What the Sand Hill?
Steph
We started at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, of course.
We spent some time listening to the cranes in San Luis State Park, although we did not see many of the graceful birds.
We wondered what this unidentified two story building
with a locked gate is adjacent to the Mosca Campground, seen in the left-center part of this image (very mysterious-but, I digress).
Our next day search for the Sand Hill Cranes took us first to the Alamosa Wildlife Preserve and then, enroute to the Monte Vista Wildlife Preserve, to a cow pasture adjacent to a very narrow two-lane road.
We were alone with the birds and the cows when this noisy, chortling flyover of Sand Hill Cranes happened. Some have asked if I took the video; no, it was Maizie with her crazy-good iPad filming skills. The video is 3:39 long and gets very exciting a few seconds in.
Antigone canadensis (which are classified as part of the Gruidae family) currently number 450,000 or so in North America. They are ancient birds, having origins 2.5-10.5 million years ago, depending on classification.
Here's hoping you will see or have seen these magnificent creatures, especially as they dangle their legs for a perfect landing.
What the Sand Hill?
Steph
