Skywatch Friday: Sandhill Cranes

We made the long drive to Monte Vista, Colorado earlier this week to visit the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge and see the Sandhill Cranes.


Thousands of Sandhill Cranes stop in the wetlands and nearby agricultural fields on their migratory path north.


Thousands of Canadian Geese and ducks are there also.


This pond was filled with geese and it was quite noisy.


The cranes leave their winter grounds and start arriving here in late February.  The peak time to see them is the first week of March and they have usually left the area by mid-April.


A big gust of wind came up and many of them took to flight.





What an incredible sight it was to see this many cranes in one location!


Monte Vista holds a Sandhill Crane Festival the first week in March.  I can't wait to attend next year!

Linking with Skywatch Friday


Comments

Jocelyn said…
Such great shots!
March 20, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Light and Voices said…
Great photos of sand hill cranes. I get a kick out of that they are having a Sand Hill Crane "festival."
March 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Lisa said…
Oh wow! The mountains in the background are stunning!!
March 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Photo Cache said…
What a cool experience! Happy Spring!

Worth a Thousand Words
March 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
Wow, lots of sandhill cranes!! A sky full of them.
March 22, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Joyful said…
What a beautiful sight. I've hardly even seen 1 crane let alone a whole lot of them!
March 26, 2025 at 12:16 AM
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