Sandhill Cranes - altitude - NW Custer County

[Leon Bright]

COBirders—

  Yesterday morning at about 9:30 I was outside our cabin in the northern Sangre de Cristo range enjoying the pleasant weather when I heard a few Sandhill Cranes calling.  The sky was mostly clear and judging from what I was hearing they were headed over the range toward the Monte Vista NWR.  In spite of my best naked-eye efforts I could never see them.  The mountains near our cabin include several close-neighboring peaks above 13,500 ft. over which the cranes were flying.  Even though I’ve experienced a number of crane fly-overs there it always provides a thrill.

   Late yesterday, intimidated by the menacing forecasts of 7 to 12 inches of snow, we retreated to our house under Pueblo’s protective bubble.  Zero snow here today so far.

Leon Bright, Pueblo and Westcliffe

[Tyler Stuart]

Nice observation, Leon!

I had a similar experience during the fourth week of October 2016 in the Sangre de Cristo range. Finishing a day hike of the Venable-Comanche loop, I heard cranes overhead. After a minute or so of searching, I spotted a small flock and watched them fly over the range in the vicinity of Comanche Peak (13,277'), some 4,500 feet higher than I was. They were also headed southwest, presumably toward Monte Vista NWR. It is, indeed, always a thrill.

Tyler Stuart

Colorado Springs

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