Farewell Cranes

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

As I write this, 10:09 am scores of cranes are high aloft and headed north on what appears to be favorable se winds aloft. You have to strain your eyes to see these tiny specks against the vast blue sky.  Last night I still saw 4,000 birds at Monte Vista NWR but those will be dwindling on favorable winds. 

All in all, it was a bit of a strange year. The manicured and mowed barley fields where normally birds flocked to feed in, were relatively avoided. Many Birds seems to be flying some distance from the refuge morning and evenings to other locations. 

Birds did use the barley field to the west of the MNVWR Headquarters but that is a long ways away and viewing not very favorable. During mid day, there were 4 to 6,000 birds at the east side Hwy 15 turnout, so that went well. 

I really like the new hours that were approved recently. Now us photographers can get into the refuge a little earlier to scout out birds, clouds, winds and potential photographs. 

Farewell to our friends until fall. Time to shift the focus to upland birds!

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO