Thousands of Sandhill Cranes flock to Nebraska for annual mid-migration refueling stop - w/pics

[Kadie]

Posted: 10:02 AM Mar 25, 2011
Sandhill Cranes Roost on Platte River in Nebraska
Gibbon, Neb.

Thousands of sandhill cranes and their fans are flocking to central Nebraska for the birds' annual mid-migration refueling stop.

About half a million of the light gray, heron-like birds stop along an 80-mile stretch of the Platte River for three to four weeks each spring in March and April before continuing their journey to Canada, Alaska and Siberia.

Bird watchers from all over the country delight in watching
cranes dance to impress their fellow birds and take off and land in
large groups.

http://www.1011now.com/news/headlines/Sandhill_Cranes_Roost_on_Platte_River_in_Nebraska_118647119.html


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pics are from daylife.com

few more pics at...
http://www.daylife.com/search?q=sandhill

[Carolina]

1. K&R

Beautiful

[Brickbat]

I have gone to see this several times, starting back in the 80s, and it is an amazing experience,

even if you're not a birder. Holla for my home state!

[joeybee12]

2. Ihear this si something to see...there are blinds in many areas for viewing...knr

[DrDan]

3. those are great pics

we attend a bluegrass festival each year in western Florida. It occurs at the same time the Sandhill Cranes are migrating through the state. Their distintice cry is great to wake up to.

[Snoutport]

4. Very beautiful--thank you for sharing nt

[NV Whino]

5. I went with some birders one December

to the Carrizo Plains in CA to see them. Quite an experience all the way around.

[xchrom]

6. lovely. nt

[Jackpine Radical]

7. We always look forward to their return.

We hear & see them in the fields & marshes around us all summer.

[Uncle Joe]

8. Those are some nice pics.

Thanks for the thread, Kadie.

[Lucinda]

9. They are sooo beautiful.

Thanks for the pics!

[Morning Dew]

10. kick. n/m

[geardaddy]

11. K & R

Thanks for sharing!

[Highway61]

12. Wow

just wow. How beautiful. Thanks for the pics.

[watercolors]

13. Thank you, great photos

We have several in our area, love it when they just come right in our yard.

[Maru Kitteh]

14. Traveling on I80 on Tues. I actually saw a group of 7 WHOOPING cranes! I was ecstatic!

It was a once in a lifetime thing, to spontaneously come across so many in flight, by chance.

I love the great sandhill crane migration. We've had a front row seat to this spectacle for more than 40 years now. It's always breathtaking. :-)

[Evolve_Already]

15. How grand!

Very fortunate to live in an area of Wisconsin where endangered cranes reside a portion of the year. Just saw 3 today. Thank you for sharing their greatness.

[blogslut]

16. I love this pic

Thanks for the smiles, Kadie!

[Kadie]

18. That one is my favorite one too.

:hi:

[Maru Kitteh]

17. K & R

[Liberal_in_LA]

19. Beautiful birds. Existing in harmony with cattle