Still Flying

A small portion of the Sandhill Cranes at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, Decatur, AL, 01.13.26

The Sandhill Cranes were calling me. Thousands of them were reported to be at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama, and I'd missed seeing them in their abundance last year. A deep longing within drew me to try again...and hopefully to see a few of the rare Whooping Cranes that had also been recorded.

As we drove up to the national wildlife refuge, the corn fields on either side of the entrance foretold what we were going to see: thousands of Sandhill Cranes were in the field on the right, flying in and out from every direction.

The photo blinds near the visitor center blocked the view of what those next fields held, but the LOUD chortle of Sandhill Cranes, that I couldn't yet see, was incredible.

When I opened the little door of the blind, I was not disappointed.

There, right before me, were thousands of Sandhill Cranes, a cacophony of sound and flight so exhilarating that it truly was even more awe-inspiring than I'd imagined.

The next morning, we set out for the marshlands, fields and river that were also part of the refuge. From early morning until noon, we watched as the Sandhill Cranes flew in, fed, fought, and took flight again. It was like a choreographed dance on land and shallow waters, and on wings that caught breezes as they flew in small groups or dozens.

And yes, there's more.

For when we went to the visitor center again, they shared that two of the Whooping Cranes were visible in the marsh area behind the glassed-in viewing area. Whooping Cranes...two of the only 800 known in the entire country; a small number, but a great increase from what at one time had diminished to a little over 20.

Two Whooping Cranes, a Sandhill Crane, and two Snow Geese, photographed through the tinted glass of the enclosed viewing area.

When I reflect on this experience -- actually, when I reflect on many of my experiences -- I am struck once again by the sheer beauty that is right here if we slow down and notice. I'm also compelled to share even more of what I see. The fact is, if we get to know an area and the flora and fauna that call it home, we will grow in our care of it.

Many years ago I came up with a phrase that describes how have I come to see much of what I do, particularly in my own yard and neighborhood:

The more you see, the more you hear.

The more you hear, the more you listen.

The more you listen, the more you see.

...and so it continues...

I think I'd like to edit that now.

The more you see, the more you hear.

The more you hear, the more you listen.

The more you listen, the more you see

and grow in wonder and love and care

for all the world around you.

If you'd like to see more photos from this short adventure, please click here. Below is my nature journal entry from this adventure that still has me flying:

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Thank you for reading and viewing. I am an Atlanta-based nature photographer, writer and journaler. Each Saturday I send a short email called "A Closer Look." It is simply one photo and a short bit of original writing (much shorter than this blog post) to encourage all of us to slow down and see the nature that is right there but that we often overlook. If you would like to receive A Closer Look, please fill in the (free) form on Contact/Subscribe page of my website: www.wren-photos.com. Thank you! Susanne Swing Thompson