2013 Sandhill Crane Thread

Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, DesMoines, and the rest of Nebraska and Iowa

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Brad
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2013 Sandhill Crane Thread

Post by Brad »

Valentines Day is over and the Sandhill Cranes should be arriving any time now, anyone seen any yet?  They should peak about 1 Month from today, which just happens to be the day Coyote and I will be out there.
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Post by Candleshoe »

Seen a few, heard many more. There are a few hundred in the GI to Doniphan to Alda stretch and they've been around for a few weeks, but it's early.
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Post by almighty_tuna »

Definitely looking forward to getting out there this year!
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bbtran72
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Post by bbtran72 »

I have heard and seen a couple too. Last year was my first year taking pictures/following with these cranes as i was lucky enough to tag along with a photographer friend of mine.  Candle shoe you were right, the blinds at nebraska nature center is up on a hill and though it was nice when it was bright it was worthless once it starts to get dark.  I'll be going to Rowe this year for sure
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Post by Coyote »

Some pics from today's photo shoot:


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Post by Brad »

Nice Shots Mark!  You must not have been too tired after that drive.
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Post by Coyote »

Thanks. Those were just quick posts from my laptop, I need to work on them better. More later, but dead tired today. Except for this:

[youtube][/youtube]
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Post by Brad »

:like:

Nice Video!
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Post by Coyote »

Thanks. If you go to the Youtube page for it, you can get it full screen, but not here for some reason, at least not here.
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Post by Coyote »

A few more:

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Brad
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Post by Brad »

Finally got some photos processed.

1.  Inside the Blind at Rowe Sanctuary
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2.  As sun starts to set on the Platte River, the Cranes start to come in for the night
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3.  Almost dark and the cranes really start to fill in.
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4.  The next morning, something stirs the cranes up early, probably an Eagle
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5.  After the cranes get up, you can see in the background the snow geese are stirred up too.
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6.  Cranes Playing in the river
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7.  Crane in the river
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8.  Two more cranes in the river
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9.  Cranes leaving the river
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10.  More cranes leaving the river
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11.  The last of the cranes leaving the river
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12.  Bad photo, but all I could get of the Whooping Crane.  He was far away from the road.
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13.  Crane dancing in the corn
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14.  Cranes flying in the fields
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15.  cranes in the fields
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16.  Snow Geese
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bbtran72
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Post by bbtran72 »

awesome pictures brad, I've only been out once on that nice day  on friday 2 weeks ago but didn't get much.  Where did you see that Whooping Crane ?
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Post by Brad »

bbtran72 wrote:awesome pictures brad, I've only been out once on that nice day  on friday 2 weeks ago but didn't get much.  Where did you see that Whooping Crane ?
Thanks,

The whooping crane was South West of Doniphin, NE.  This is the Third year in a row we have seen one down there.  Usually close to the Adams county line and several miles west of highway 34.  There is usually a spotter in the area watching them.
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Post by Candleshoe »

Image
Crane set by candleshoe, on Flickr
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Post by Brad »

Awesome!

Are there still a lot of cranes out there?
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Post by Candleshoe »

Still crazy numbers. The chatter was almost deafening after dark last night south of Alda.
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Post by bbtran72 »

did not get much this year unlike last but did get this pretty sweet sunrise. First picture was actually taken from my phone and second is from my camera.

Image

Image
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Post by Brad »

Whooping Cranes-Spotters

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/Whoo ... 14631.html
www.wowt.com wrote:The Crane Trust is asking help in spotting whooping cranes as they migrate through Nebraska on their way to winter grounds in Texas.

The whooping crane is one of the rarest bird species in North America. It stands nearly 5 feet tall and has a wingspan of up to 7 feet.

Anyone spotting a whooping crane is asked to call the Crane Trust at 1-888-399-2824 to report key information: exact location of the cranes; number of cranes; time and date the cranes were observed; what the cranes were doing (feeding, resting or flying); if leg bands/transmitters were visible; if flying, in which direction.

The whooping cranes are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
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