On this day two years ago, April Olson rode with me to the Kamas Valley of Utah, where we photographed a flock of Sandhill Cranes getting ready for fall migration.
It was already cooler up in the Kamas Valley than it was for us at home in Salt Lake City. The air was clear and we had great birds in our viewfinders.
Kamas Valley Sandhill Cranes getting ready for migration – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There were at least twenty-seven cranes in one pasture in the Kamas Valley. Some were stained, some were unstained, and some were a mixture of both. As I recall, there were a few hatch year cranes in the pasture, but they were way out from the road.
I had missed out on seeing the cranes displaying that year because I had been back east helping my mom. The cranes April and I saw and photographed two years ago today more than made me happy.
Kamas Valley Sandhill Cranes foraging in a pasture – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Looking back on that day, I’m glad I took as many photos of the Sandhill Cranes as I did, because I don’t get to see them often here in Arkansas or Oklahoma. I only need to look at my photos of these living fossils to hear them call in my mind.
After April and I photographed the cranes in Kamas Valley, we headed up into the high country of the Uinta Mountains for more adventures with birds and wildflowers. It was a wonderful day spent with a dear friend, and I cherish those memories.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sandhill Crane photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thanks for showing the pictures from a few years ago of the Sandhill Cranes. I remember watching a group of people helping with the migration of young colts on the internet from maybe Illinois or Minnesota going to Texas or Florida. This was done for several years and then the funding was cut. I had forgotten about it.
It was a wonderful day, thank you for taking me on a lovely experience, they are dear memories. When I released the kestrel at Jordanelle Reservoir for Haley’s rehab this past Thursday, I thought about going over to the field where we saw the cranes. I opted for just doing Jeremy Ranch Road on the way home instead. I haven’t been out much for photography since my knee replacement five weeks ago. I just haven’t had much interest yet. Sitting for hours in a car makes my foot and ankle swell, so a trip would have to be short or lots of stops to walk around. I will get there with time I am sure. Maybe we could meet up in Nebraska for the crane migration in the spring? I loved my trip to the Platte River and driving around the fields of Kearney Ne. The Sandhill Cranes were amazing.