Trent Watts
Well-Known Member
Saskatchewan is part of a major migration flyway for many birds, including Snow Geese and Whooping Cranes. On Friday four of us headed out to an area north of Saskatoon where Whoppers have been reported. Talk about a magical day. The light was superb with dark clouds in the east and the sun poking out of the clouds to illuminate the yellow aspen bluffs and harvested fields. We came upon a lake that had well over 10,000 Snow Geese (based on block counting). Further on we stopped to photograph a beautiful golden bluff and then noticed two white pillars on a hill in the distance. Sure enough we had spotted two adult Whooping Cranes and one young one. It is impossible to describe the emotions of being in the presence of a species that has suffered so much and managed to stay alive and continue to slowly grow. The birds were a long way off and the atmosphere was cluttered with field dust and heat waves or whatever it should be called. The pictures don't do justice to the majesty of these large cranes but are a record of our delightful encounter.
An overview of thousands of Snow Geese, some Tundra Swans, various ducks and an Immature Bald Eagle sitting on a rock in the middle of the geese.
Something sent a few thousand geese into the air for a fly about.
For some time it seemed that everywhere you looked there was another gorgeous scene, often with some birds in the air.
All three of the Whooping Cranes had leg tags/bands/radio devices of some kind.
At one point a group of Sandhill Cranes flew in to the same spot. The largest of the Whooper flew over and attacked the other cranes.
Here is a link to a short GIF showing the encounter.
https://makeagif.com/i/tfvnV9
A couple of other scenes from the trip.
This a rather long thread so thanks to anyone who plows through it.
An overview of thousands of Snow Geese, some Tundra Swans, various ducks and an Immature Bald Eagle sitting on a rock in the middle of the geese.
Something sent a few thousand geese into the air for a fly about.
For some time it seemed that everywhere you looked there was another gorgeous scene, often with some birds in the air.
All three of the Whooping Cranes had leg tags/bands/radio devices of some kind.
At one point a group of Sandhill Cranes flew in to the same spot. The largest of the Whooper flew over and attacked the other cranes.
Here is a link to a short GIF showing the encounter.
https://makeagif.com/i/tfvnV9
A couple of other scenes from the trip.
This a rather long thread so thanks to anyone who plows through it.
