This past week I returned to Whitewater Draw in AZ
to view the Sandhill Cranes. I understand over 20k are there and I can easily believe it.
A typical day for them starts out between 0600 and 0700 when they fly out to the harvested fields to feed. The farmers receive a supplement from the AZ G&F department to leave some for the cranes. I was out each morning by 0630 to hear and watch them. They are all making noise and it is
almost a roar as they start to leave. Of course the temperatures were about 20º so bundling up was required, there was ice on the water in spots! Until the sun rises it’s almost pointless to try to get any decent images but I always had my camera with me.
Between 11 am and noon the birds return by the
thousands, literally! You see them in the distance as they fly towards you and their roosting place to rest and get water. As the groups of cranes get closer they fly at different elevations, swirling around preparing to land.
It is an awesome sight! They hang around for a few hours then may fly out again, returning around sunset.
All images ©jeanclarkphotography