Sandhill cranes

It was Wings Over Willcox this weekend, the annual birding festival in our nearby town. The Sulphur Springs Valley is well known for its birds and this time of year all manner and nationalities of birders descend on us. The main feature of WOW are the sandhill cranes who come here by the thousands, between 15,000 and 20,000, to overwinter in the valley.

There are many birding activities and tours at WOW, but Dan and I decided to do our own crane viewing this morning. Over the years we have learned that one does not need to get up in the dark to see the cranes who, at dawn, leave their resting place to go in search of breakfast out in the agricultural fields. One can get up, have breakfast, and then find the cranes in their feeding areas. One of the large ones was less than 5 miles from the house.

It is spectacular to see and hear these birds. They are big, graceful, and have the sweetest sound while flying overhead. We spent the morning going from feeding grounds to their resting place and were home in time for lunch. Great Monday morning!