Whooping Crane
Jan 24, 2024 06:19:18 #
These shots were taken at a great distance and drastically cropped which results in the lack of detail. The last image is posted to illustrate the black on their wingtips.
Whooping Cranes are the largest birds in North America, and at 5 foot tall, they are considerably taller than Sandhill Cranes. These birds were once facing extinction, and there were as few as 23 birds, but due to conservation efforts there are more than 500 today. They nest in Canada and winter in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Due to their growth in numbers, they are expanding outside their range. These birds were in Lamar, but I have seen them in Port Aransas and Rivera, Texas.
Whooping Cranes are the largest birds in North America, and at 5 foot tall, they are considerably taller than Sandhill Cranes. These birds were once facing extinction, and there were as few as 23 birds, but due to conservation efforts there are more than 500 today. They nest in Canada and winter in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Due to their growth in numbers, they are expanding outside their range. These birds were in Lamar, but I have seen them in Port Aransas and Rivera, Texas.
Jan 24, 2024 06:51:59 #
Jan 24, 2024 09:04:41 #
These are great shots for having been greatly cropped Dan. They are impressive birds. I saw them last summer at the International Crane Institute in Wisconsin
Jan 24, 2024 09:46:59 #
Jan 24, 2024 09:51:50 #
Jan 24, 2024 10:36:42 #
Jan 24, 2024 10:57:02 #
Jan 24, 2024 11:19:13 #
dc3legs
Loc: Tucson
Awesome photos of an awesome creature. Thanks for posting these. In the 1980's they could be seen migrating with sandhills along the Rio Grande river in New Mexico. In those days they would winter at Bosque del Apache but that may no longer be the case.
Jan 24, 2024 12:24:50 #
Jan 24, 2024 12:25:56 #
Great shots, Dan! I've been hoping to see them at Bosque del Apache, but no such luck yet. Maybe I'll make it back to Aransas NWR to try to catch them. How far away were they??
Jan 24, 2024 12:31:43 #
Dan Thornton wrote:
These shots were taken at a great distance and dra... (show quote)
Very nice, Dan. I recognize the pasture just south of the Big Tree in Lamar. Your crops are impressive given the distances involved.
Bubba
Jan 24, 2024 12:51:17 #
NICE ! thanks for sharing ........there are supposed to be some here in Florida also - but I have never seen them - yet ! They like to hang out with Sandhills ....
Jan 24, 2024 13:09:40 #
Jan 24, 2024 19:38:42 #
lbarnett25
Loc: Baldwinsville, NY
Thanks - interesting. We have SH Cranes in summer in upstate NY but I’ve never seen Whooping Cranes.
Jan 24, 2024 21:03:41 #
Dan Thornton wrote:
These shots were taken at a great distance and dra... (show quote)
Gorgeous creatures, Dan! Thanks for sharing.
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