Winged Wonders Whooping Crane Among Migrating Sandhill Cranes *Lifer
Today was a super, exciting day for birders all over Illinois, as thousands of Sand Hill Cranes migrated from their fall-winter refuge at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area in Indiana. During my observations in Orland Park from 11 AM to 1:30 PM it was amazing to watch the flocks changing formations and "kettling" (circling) on warm air thermals as they flew in a northwesterly direction. The most exciting part of the event happened at 12:04 pm, when I spotted a RARE WHOOPING CRANE (shown in this photo) among the flock! Whooping Cranes almost became extinct in 1942, with only 22 individuals remaining. Due to a remarkable, long-term captive breeding program by teams of dedicated scientists and volunteers, a 2015 count listed 603 of these "rarest of cranes." They stand at 5 ft. in height making them the tallest, as well as the rarest bird species in North America. They have 7 ft. wingspans, are white-bodied, with black wingtips, and unmistakable red "caps" and facial markings. They can live 25 years in the wild. However, their status remains critically endangered, so I feel fortunate to have witnessed this passerby and share it with all of you on Flickr. (All shots in the series hand-held.)
Winged Wonders Whooping Crane Among Migrating Sandhill Cranes *Lifer
Today was a super, exciting day for birders all over Illinois, as thousands of Sand Hill Cranes migrated from their fall-winter refuge at Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area in Indiana. During my observations in Orland Park from 11 AM to 1:30 PM it was amazing to watch the flocks changing formations and "kettling" (circling) on warm air thermals as they flew in a northwesterly direction. The most exciting part of the event happened at 12:04 pm, when I spotted a RARE WHOOPING CRANE (shown in this photo) among the flock! Whooping Cranes almost became extinct in 1942, with only 22 individuals remaining. Due to a remarkable, long-term captive breeding program by teams of dedicated scientists and volunteers, a 2015 count listed 603 of these "rarest of cranes." They stand at 5 ft. in height making them the tallest, as well as the rarest bird species in North America. They have 7 ft. wingspans, are white-bodied, with black wingtips, and unmistakable red "caps" and facial markings. They can live 25 years in the wild. However, their status remains critically endangered, so I feel fortunate to have witnessed this passerby and share it with all of you on Flickr. (All shots in the series hand-held.)