Thimbleanna

November’s Cranes

20 Comments / Travel / February 18, 2011

I know I don’t have to tell you this, but it’s November. Cosy, comfy November. The month where we migrate toward winter.* I love November. We start to plan our months of get-togethers for family and friends. And an added bonus in blogland, I anticipate there will be lots of sharing of fun holiday ideas. It was around this time of year last year when I found blogs, and all that warm, fuzzy sharing is what sucked me in! I can’t wait to see what unfolds this year.

Cranes

Anyway, back to that migrating thing. The other morning, I looked out of my office window as the sun was coming up to see a big crane swoop over the parking lot and land on top of a light pole. It’s the first time in many years that I’ve seen a crane in our parking lot and it reminded me to tell you about the migration of the Sandhill Cranes. Every year in November, they fly from their summer home in Canada to their winter home in Georgia and Florida. It’s an awesome sight to behold, and if you live in the midwest, a great place to see the migration up close and personal is at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in northwestern Indiana (about an hour southeast of Chicago.)

Cranes

We went to see the cranes for the first time last year. It was a 2 hour drive for us and we arrived about an hour before sundown. You have to go to the wildlife area at either dusk or dawn, as the birds fly in to the fields to spend the night, and then in the morning, they are on their way again. When we first got there, there weren’t very many birds and I thought to myself, “We just spent two hours in the car for this?” Ah, patience! Before long, birds were flying in from all directions. Can you see them as they put their landing gear down? It was so cool to watch them drop their legs as they got closer to the ground.

Cranes

The wildlife area has a great viewing platform which allows you a great view of the birds as they land in the fields. You can’t get real close to the birds, so binoculars are a great idea. (I took these pictures with a 200 mm lens, to give you a little perspective. It’s hard to get good pictures ’cause the light is so low. You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.) I think the migration actually starts in late October and runs through early December, but November is the best viewing month. According to the website, on October 30, 2007 they counted almost 12,000 cranes. It really is amazing that all those birds just suddenly appear. And they seem to come from all directions, not just from the north. You can come from all directions too! I hope, especially if you are in the midwest, that you get the opportunity sometime to view these beautiful birds during their migration.

Cranes

Viewing time: 45 minutes
Driving time: 4 hours
Experience: Priceless!
XOXO,
Anna

*Sorry, for those of you down under, I know this winter stuff doesn’t apply!

20 thoughts on “November’s Cranes”

  1. Cathy

    Thanks for being so understanding – it is getting warmer here and there is not much rain – it is going to be a long dry summer.

    The cricket season has started (boring).

    Love your photos of the cranes – magnificent.

  3. nicolette

    Beautiful photos, a trip well-spent! We have a lot of storks in our neighbourhood, but they don’t migrate anymore, because of our changed climate.

  4. randi

    Wonderful photographs!

    At our river we have a small family of herons (they are similar to cranes) and occasionally we can see them flying low over the water, which is an amazing sight. I think it would be so awesome to see large groups like you did!

  5. Jade

    We do get migratory birds, but not cranes or any of the larger kind. The warm weather does bring the bogong (big huge annoying) moths, giant flies (also annoying) and the christmas beetles (not so annoying). Either way, they’re all infestations when they arrive. I am look forward to summer, really I am…just not the little critters. Your cranes are a welcome diversion, believe me!

  8. Kristy

    Gorgeous pictures! I had no idea that the Sand Hill Cranes migrated like that – duh! I am a native Floridian, although I now live in NC, and I remember every year seeing the cranes. They liked to hang out in front of our church. So, on Sunday mornings when we should have been walking quickly to services or visiting with fellow members, we would be standing at the windows watching the graceful cranes. Oh – and don’t forget the little cranes standing next to their Moms! So pretty in their ugly baby bird way!

  9. kim

    Beautiful photos Anna. We were on the seafront last weekend at dusk watching the birds migrate, wish I had my camera with me then. Have a good weekend
    Kim x

  16. jonipossin

    I’ve had the opportunity to watch cranes in the wilds and it is truly a magnificant experience. Thanks for sharing your viewing and photos with all of us.
    Enjoy your weekend, Anna!
    Joni

  17. naturegirl

    YOU and I share the same name!!!!
    I have NOT seen a crane and I am from Canada!
    Where oh where can they be!!
    I am not a fan of November because I know what comes next so like the crane I fly south!
    Next week I am having a GIVEAWAY so pop on over!
    Thank you for your generous comments when you stop by
    hugs Anna

  18. Shannon

    I don’t think I’ve seen a crane in TX, we do see the ducks that fly down to Mexico. They fly in huge formations that boggle the mind. The other creatures that migrate through our territory are the bats. I know there are a lot of people that love them and love to watch them, but they smell horrid and I can’t stand them. :(

  20. Mrs.Staggs

    Wow Anna,

    The photo of the cranes and the moon is stunning. What a wonderful post. Thank you for taking the time to share it….and your Shepherd’s Pie recipe!

    Take care,
    Lena

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