Have you ever seen one of these in the wild? I haven't. At least, not until today, when a friend called me with the news that a Whooping crane had been spotted in a corn field a few miles north of the state line. After some research, Sheila and I jumped in the car and off we raced to see this wonder.
As we drove into her area the sun was setting and the snow started to fall.
Then we saw her, Number 3305.
Since Whooping cranes are the tallest birds in North America, she was towering above the Sandhill cranes around her. The last two digits of her I.D. number indicate she was born in 2005. The first two identify her as the 33rd bird born through Wisconsin's successful reintroduction efforts. Captive breeding programs have boosted the number of Whooping cranes from only 16 in 1941, to nearly 300 wild birds today. Another 200 are living in captivity.
Think of it! In the whole world, there are fewer than 300 of these birds flying free...and you're looking at one! How cool is that?
Job 39:13 - The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork.
I saw a group of about 7, or so, of these in south-western Indiana earlier this year. They are absolutely beautiful birds and quite the site to see. Unfortunately I didn't get any information off of their tags.
Posted by: Justin Hart | December 04, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Mark, I saw a single Whooping Crane amongst a field of thousands down at Jasper-Pulaski about 2 years back.. have you ever been there to see the cranes? It is literally awe-inspiring. I try to go ever year, and to bring one new person each year. Especially my non-bird-loving friends. And you know what? They all agree - it is an awesome sight. Our God Reins!
Posted by: Lindsay | January 13, 2010 at 11:13 PM