Sandhill Cranes - Whooping Cranes

 

Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis).
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. 

Cranes are impressive birds.  They are tall, some approached six feet in height, they perform athletic mating dances and give loud, ringing calls.  There are 15 species of cranes world-wide and are found on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 

North America is home to two species, the more common Sandhill Crane (Antigone canadensis) and the critically endangered Whooping Crane (Grus americana).

Sandhill Crane portrait.  The bright red patch
on the head is bare skin.
Ocala National Forest, Florida. 

Sandhill Cranes with brown-stained feathers.
Anchorage, Alaska.

Sandhill Cranes mating dance.
Ocala National Forest, Florida. 

Sandhill Cranes mating display.
Ocala National Forest, Florida. 

Sandhill Cranes are gray with a red forehead and a dagger-like beak.  They stand over four feet tall with a six-foot wingspan.  During the breeding season Sandhill Cranes will stain their gray feathers brown with iron-rich mud.  The reason for this interesting behavior is widely debated by crane experts.  One camp says it is a part of a mating display, others think it could be a way to clean the feathers of parasites. Some populations of Sandhill Cranes undertake long migrations and flocks often fly in V-formations.  They are also excellent gliders, riding thermals in the fashion of hawks and vultures.   Sandhill Cranes breed across much of northern North American and into eastern Siberia.  These cranes make a migration to the southern tier of the United States and northern Mexico.  Non-migratory populations of Sandhill Cranes live in Florida, Louisiana and Cuba. 

Sandhill Cranes resting in a pond.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico.

Sandhill Cranes are found on marshes, ponds and prairies.  They eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals.  Sandhill Cranes will also feed on waste grain in farm fields.  The Platte River Valley in Nebraska is an important stopover on many Sandhill Crane’s northern migration.  They roost in the river and eat corn left in the fields on their way to Canada and Alaska.  

Sandhill Cranes in flight at sunset.
Pungo Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

The great American naturalist Aldo Leopold described the call of the Sandhill Crane as “a pandemonium of trumpets, rattles, croaks and cries that almost shakes the bog with its nearness…”.   Hearing a flock of Sandhill Cranes calling as they fly from a pond at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. 

 

Whooping Crane (Grus americana).
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. 

Whooping Crane hunting in a marsh.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. 

Whooping cranes are among the rarest of North American birds and also a conservation success story.  They were probably a rare species before the arrival of Europeans, but their population crashed in the 19^th and 20^th centuries from hunting and habitat loss.  By the 1930s their entire population was less than 30 birds.  Education and captive breeding programs have allowed Whooping Crane numbers to increase to over 800 but they remain endangered. 

 

Whooping Crane with Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus).
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. 

Their loud call gives Whooping cranes their name.  They are white with black wing tips, black on the face and a red crown. Whooping cranes are even larger than Sandhill Cranes standing over 5 feet tall with a 7-foot wingspan.  The main migratory population breeds in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories of Canada.  In the fall they fly across the middle of the North American continent to winter in the coastal marshes of Texas.  They spend the winter eating crabs and other small animals. Several non-migratory populations have been established but high mortality and lack of breeding success have limited their impact on the overall population.   

Whooping Crane with Blue Crab.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. 

Cranes hold a special place in cultures around the world.  In Asia and the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean cranes symbolized happiness.  Cranes were thought to be goddesses in pre-Islamic Arabia and Aristotle told of fanciful battles between cranes and pygmies in Africa.  In Native American cultures, cranes often appear on rock art and crane clans are a regular feature in many tribal groups.  Richard Powers,in his 2006 novel Echo Maker describes in moving and vivid detail the flight of Sandhill Cranes in the Platte River Valley. “More birds land by the minute, the air red with calls.  A neck stretches long; legs drape behind.  Wings curl forward, the length of a man.  Spread like fingers, primaries tip the bird into the wind’s plane.  The blood-red head bows and the wings sweep together, a cloaked priest giving benediction… They converge on the river at winter’s end as they have for eons, carpeting the wetlands. In the light, something saurian still clings to them: the oldest flying things on earth, one stutter-step away from pterodactyls.”

Sandhill Cranes calling. https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/search/sandhill-cranes/

Plant Patterns

 

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) fruit.
The dry fruits of Teasel were once used to
raise the nap (tease) of fabric.
Grenade, France.

Looking at plants is good for you.  Numerous studies have shown positive changes in brain activity, neurotransmitter levels and a sense of wellbeing come from viewing plants.  Experiencing plants can reduce blood pressure and lower corticosteroid stress hormones.  Our nervous systems resonate with the plant kingdom.  Some researchers speculate this physiological effect is from overcoming a lack of plants in our human-built environment.   Others posit it is a genetic memory of earlier times in our history.  Whatever the reason, nature in general and plants in particular are definitely good for people.  

Here are a few of the colors, shapes and patterns of plants that have caught my eye and soothed my brain. 

 Leaves

Heliconia sp. leaf.
This relative of Banana (Musa sp.) is impressive
when light shines through the leaves. 
San Jose, Costa Rica.

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra).
These leaves take on a
a brilliant red hue in the fall.
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Iris sp. leaf. 
This Iris leaf, with its parallel veins glows in spring. 
Rowan County, North Carolina. 

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) leaves. 
The basal rosette of spikey Bull Thistle leaves will give rise
to the tall flowering stem.
Rowan County, North Carolina.

Stems

Chinese Timber Bamboo (Phyllostaches vivax) stems.
This Asian exotic looks at home in the highlands of Costa Rica. 
San Jose, Costa Rica.

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea). 
The water-storing stems of Saguaro 
are pleated and lined with rows of spines. 
Saguaro National Park, Arizona. 

Flowers

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) flowers.
This cluster of Buttonbush flowers has an unearthly look.
Rowan County, North Carolina.

Toad Plant (Eryngium carlinae irazu) flowers.
This low growing plant with unearthly blue flowers is found
on a few volcanos in Central America.  
Volcan Irazu, Costa Rica. 

Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) flowers. 
Golden Alexander is related to Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota). 
Orange County, North Carolina. 

Fruits

Old Man's Beard (Clematis drummondii) fruits.
These fruits are dispersed on the wind.
Patagonia Lake State Park, Arizona. 

Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis ebano) fruits).
This tree has large woody fruits containing the seeds.
Zapata County, Texas.

Stinking Passionflower (Passiflora foetida) fruit.
The yellow bracts surrounding the red fruit are coated with a sticky
substance that traps and digests insects.
Hill Bank Field Station, Belize. 

For all the impact of plants on the human psyche, these structures we find so appealing did not evolve to make us healthy or happy.  Plants have their own agenda of energy production, water conservation and reproduction.  It is an added benefit that these things please us.

The Outer Banks in Winter

 

Outer Banks beach.
Nags Head, North Carolina. 
Photo Courtesy of Diane Coggin. 

The Outer Banks are a series of barrier islands on the coast of North Carolina.  These islands run for 200 miles and have wide beaches with dunes covered by Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata).  The Outer Banks hosts small towns, innumerable beach houses, hotels and historic lighthouses.  Some of the barrier islands are conserved by the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  Summer is the high season with vacationers from around the world taking advantage of the beaches and sun.  But winter has its own charms.  Fewer people and abundant birdlife are a couple of draws in the colder months. 

We have been making winter visits to the Outer Banks and wild areas on the mainland behind the Banks for many years.  Here are some recent experiences there. 

Sunrise over the Outer Banks.
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Sand ripples on the beach.
Nags Head, North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Diane Coggin. 

Sunrise over the Atlantic is an inspiring way to start a day on the Outer Banks.  The beach can be quite peaceful, and an ebbing tide leaves ripples in the sand.  

Jennette's Pier.
Nags Head, North Carolina. 
Photo courtesy of Diane Coggin. 

Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus).
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). 
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Fishing piers, like Jennette’s in Nags Head, get you out over the water for close-up views of sea life.  On a recent trip a Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) was fishing near the pier, and a Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) was flapping. 

Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum).
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Male Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major).
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Female Boat-tailed Grackle.
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).
Nags Head, North Carolina.  

Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus).
Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) flew past in squadrons and Boat-tailed Grackles (Quisculus major) perched on the pier rail looking for handouts.  A pod of Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops truncata) was rolling near the pier and Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) plunged for fish.  

American Wigeon (Mareca americana).
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.  

Male Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata).
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Redheads (Aythya americana).
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.

The ponds on Pea Island host a multitude of ducks in winter.  American Wigeons (Mareca americana) and Northern Shovelers (Spatula clypeata) paddled placidly by and a giant flock of over 5000 Redheads (Aythya americana) stretched all the way across South Pond.

American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana).
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Sanderlings (Calidris alba).
Duck, North Carolina.

Shorebirds are not just found on the beaches.  A flock of American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) loafed on one of the ponds and a batch of Sanderlings (Calidris alba) were on the wrack at the Duck Boardwalk. 

We saw land birds in the dunes and in the scrub and fields behind the dunes.

Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis).
Oregon Inlet Life Saving Station, North Carolina. 

A couple of winters ago a flock of Snow Buntings (Plectrophenax nivalis) stayed near the Life Saving Station near Oregon Inlet. These sparrow sized birds breed on the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada. In the breeding season they are bold white and black.  In winter their coloration is more subdued with white, black and creamy brown. We were lucky enough to have them on our coast for the winter. 

Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis).
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Eastern Meadowlarks (Strunella magna) haunt the dikes of Pea Island and Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) scratch out a living in the dunes.    

Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus). 
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Snow Goose (Anser caerulenscens).
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Ruddy Duck (Oxyrua jamaicensis).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.

Just inland from the Outer Banks are more National Wildlife Refuges and they host huge numbers of Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) and Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens).  These large, noisy birds flew by and landed in a nearby pond to feed. Ducks are abundant too with Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) being the most common and Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) swiming in refuge canals.  

Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Ash-throated Flycatchers (Myiarchus cinerascens) are western birds but in some winters one of these large flycatchers makes a wrong turn and shows up in Eastern North Carolina.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina.

Barred Owl (Strix varia).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor).
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

Raptors like Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius) and Barred Owls (Strix varia) are abundant in the refuges.  Tiny blue-gree and white Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) swooped over the fields scooping up the flying insects of winter.  

Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis).
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina. 

This winter a flock of about 35 Sandhill Cranes (Antigone canadensis) have been staying at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.  Eastern North Carolina is off their usual migration route and seeing them here was a rare treat.  These tall, gray birds have a ringing call and will soon be on their way north to their breeding grounds in northern North America. 

Outer Banks in winter.

Nags Head, North Carolina. 

Video courtesy of Diane Coggin. 

A visit to the Outer Banks is a treat anytime of the year. But winter has the special attraction of a slower pace and no crowds. The ducks, geese, swans and other birds of winter are not to be missed.