Cranes Arriving on the River 2/24

Enjoying a break in the weather sunday afternoon, Ev and I decided to take in the sunset from one of the refuges' blinds. Spur of the moment we brought no cameras or binoculars. The sunset was magnificent; molten fuschia tones reflecting off the ice, snow and opening channels of the Platte river. Several deer were cavorting in and out of the channel on the far side of the river enjoying the promise of returning Spring. Savoring all that we began hearing not only the chorus of ducks and geese flying by and settling on the various braided river channels, but also the distinct calls of Sandhill Cranes circling above. The combined sounds of cranes and geese was astounding. Before darkness enveloped the river, more than a thousand had roosted on the sandbars across from the blind. Wow - what an introduction to crane migration! SN