About a 45 minute drive north of Bosque del Apache NWR is the Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area. On this day in February, the Sandhill Crane population at Bosque was minimal, but we found thousands at Bernardo, along with thousands of Snow Geese.
This crane was hanging out with a few others in a good spot for some photo ops. Just as the sun made its full appearance, this guy/gal took off for a short flight to an adjacent field.

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Our travels in South Texas produced seven life birds, every one a thrill. But no trip to that part of the country would be complete or as rewarding if Whooping Cranes weren't a part of it. We saw our first whoopers back in 2011 and after visiting them twice since, it's still one of our favorite wildlife experiences. We found this guy hanging out in the vicinity of Goose Island State Park in the company of eights others. Whooping cranes are endangered with only around 300 making the annual migration of 2,500 miles between Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Canada.
Best viewed Large.

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From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:
"In 1941 there were only 21 Whooping Cranes left: 15 were migrants between Canada and Texas while the rest lived year-round in Louisiana. The Louisiana population went extinct, and all 600 of today’s Whooping Cranes (about 440 in the wild and 160 in captivity) are descended from the small flock that breeds in Texas.
The only self-sustaining population of Whooping Cranes is the naturally occurring flock that breeds in Canada and winters in Texas. Three reintroduced populations exist with the help of captive breeding programs. One of these is migratory: researchers use ultralight aircraft to teach young cranes to migrate between Wisconsin breeding grounds and Florida wintering grounds."
This pair was found near Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
Best viewed Large.

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Found at Circle B Bar Reserve, FL

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Whooping Crane catching it's favorite meal, a Blue Crab. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

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