It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words so we’re concentrating on photos today. The only thing they do no justice to is the symphony of sound that accompanies the migrating flocks. Geese, particularly, make enough noise during a mass ascension to drown out the exclamations of the person next to you. And the cranes - what creatures these ancient ones are! Their unique sound is created by an elongated trachea (windpipe) that curves down and around their sternum (breastbone) in a saxophone-like shape that adds that unique deep melodic quality to their voices.
Cranes have very social and family groups and “talk” to one another on the ground and in flight. Their call can be heard for over a mile and those separated by weather, etc. can locate each another from long distances. With time and patience one can pick out the deeper voice of the adult male (roan) from the slightly higher of the female (mare) and the whistle-squeaks of the young (colts) which can crack and change as they age much like a human adolescent. We are enjoying this great opportunity to witness “one of the 10 natural wonders of the world” as thousands( apx. 23-30,000 in the Sanctuary area today) congregate along the Platte River in central Nebraska during their spring migration. Happy Spring!
PS Erv and I both contribute print and photos to the blog…. usually alternately, sometimes in the same blog.
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