The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary wrote:In response to visitor surveys over the past two years, we will be making some important changes to the crane viewing tours in 2016. This will improve the experience for our visitors and help protect the cranes.
Tripods will no longer be allowed in the viewing blinds due to space issues and tripping hazards. Monopods will be allowed.
Flash photography and photographing in continuous or rapid fire mode are not allowed in the viewing blinds.
The use of cameras and any other recording devices will be allowed in the viewing blinds ONLY when there is enough light to prevent disturbance to cranes. This will prevent illumination from LCD screens in the blinds from spooking cranes roosting on the river and from diminishing the viewing experience for all visitors in the viewing blinds. Otherwise, all cameras and recording devices must be stored during the tour.
Crane viewing tours will be offered beginning on March 5 through April 9. Prices are as follows: March 5 - 17, $25 per person; March 18 - April 2, $35 per person; April 3 - 9, $25 per person.
A new Photographers Crane Viewing Tour will be introduced. Each evening from March 18 -April 9 we will offer a tour for photographers that allows tripods and the use of continuous mode photographing. This tour will cost $60 and there will be limited space to allow more room for each participant.
We appreciate your support of these new policies to help protect the cranes from disturbance.
Not sure if Crane trust center will implement the same rules but that might be another option other than rowe if they don't change the rules, I have only been to rowe once and was not in the blind but i have stayed for a couple evening blind tour at crane trust center before and the experience is as good. " photographing in continuous or rapid fire mode" is the best rule so far
CRANE TRUST wrote:We may be very close to peak Sandhill Crane numbers on the Big Bend of the Platte River. Some years peak numbers have been around 230,000 and other years as high as 310,000. The peak count varies depending on how many different migratory populations overlap here at one time and how long the Sandhill Cranes stay in the area. One thing is for sure, we are close to peak and these numbers are a couple weeks earlier than in most years. However, we could potentially see even higher numbers next week. Only time will tell.
Went to an art fair they were having at the Crane Trust yesterday afternoon and then took my wife to see the cranes for the fist time. Wow, there were a lot of cranes out there. It seems like there were more than the past couple of years.
I was a little worried because mine and Coyote's annual crane photo trip is still a week away, but after last night, I think there will still be plenty next week. Last night the cranes arrived at the river really late. Later then I have seen the past few years. From what the people at Rowe have said in previous years, they spend more time eating early on and more time on the river closer to their departure. I am hoping since they were eating late last night, they aren't ready to leave yet.
Andrew Caven, Lead Biologist wrote:This week we counted the most Sandhill Cranes recorded via our protocol since regular roost surveys began in 2002. We recorded 395,000 Sandhill Cranes in the river and 15,000 in the fields adjacent to the river, totalling 410,000. Our absolute percent error was +/-11.2%. Please read below for contexts and details.
Coyote wrote:This year I need to get the cliche dancing crane shot! BTW, the weather forecast couldn't be better...
You and me both. I have a couple, but nothing I can print big... I want to be able to print a 24x36 or so and have it perfectly sharp. Not sure my dancing shot could go much bigger than 12x18.