Cranes overhead are often heard before seen... Photo by Robert Sewell
Sandhill Cranes will be winging their way south soon from breeding and nesting ranges up north as far away as Alaska. In fact the first crane of 2021 was recently reported in the delta. Most cranes will winter south of our area but there are good public areas nearby to view them and it is always a treat to hear and hopefully see them as they soar overhead back to their winter home. It's not uncommon to find them in flight over SLP. In these pandemic times of rapidly changing climate it is good for the soul to witness these timeless and magnificent birds.
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Link to an audio file of Sandhill cranes in flight over Sherman Island
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crane events will likely need to be celebrated virtually this year. For updates and details on the many planned tours and other events be sure to check out "Save Our Sandhill Cranes" and the Lodi Crane Festival later this year. There are also many opportunities to volunteer in education, outreach and conservation efforts that are ongoing.
Our Only Hope by Bruce Forman
Cranes returning to the valley
their sphere of influence
constricted by vineyards and villains
of mass destruction
converting marshes and cornfields
to tracts of streets dripping with oil and greed
shutting out the flocks with curtains and glass
turning away the trumpets of nature
to some distant shrinking field
a token of heritage whose ability to touch,
to mesmerize, to provoke is our only hope
to save our last wilderness
-------
Link to an audio file of Sandhill cranes in flight over Sherman Island
-------
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, crane events will likely need to be celebrated virtually this year. For updates and details on the many planned tours and other events be sure to check out "Save Our Sandhill Cranes" and the Lodi Crane Festival later this year. There are also many opportunities to volunteer in education, outreach and conservation efforts that are ongoing.
Our Only Hope by Bruce Forman
Cranes returning to the valley
their sphere of influence
constricted by vineyards and villains
of mass destruction
converting marshes and cornfields
to tracts of streets dripping with oil and greed
shutting out the flocks with curtains and glass
turning away the trumpets of nature
to some distant shrinking field
a token of heritage whose ability to touch,
to mesmerize, to provoke is our only hope
to save our last wilderness
Lesser Sandhill Cranes visiting a refuge. Photo by Rick Lewis
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