Sandhill Cranes - Whitewater Draw

Today, Tuesday January 15th we took a drive over to Whitewater Draw. It is a spectacular place, this time of year, to view large concentrations of Sandhill Cranes. Both Lesser and Greater species of Sandhill Crane can be found here differentiated only by size.

Today the crane did not disappoint. We got there about 11:15 and there were not many Sandhills. But then they started arriving. It seems the best time to observe them is to get there about 11:00-11:30 and wait. They roost at Whitewater Draw in the night and leave early in the morning to go out into the surrounding agriculture fields and feed. They comeback to rest in the wetland area about noon or so.

We had spoken with a local rancher about a week ago and he stated he had lived here all his life and there were many more crane this year than he has ever seen. We have not found any official statistics as of yet so we will take his word for it. There are alots and lots of crane.

This image gives you a little perspective on the cranes. There is a long and large line of Cranes just above the lady's white hat. The visitors will stand along a raised dike and view out at the concentrations of Sandhills. The concentration we are looking at here is but a small portion of the Cranes. They are spread out in all directions.

Here is a little closer view of some of the cranes along the shore.

While we waited and watched you could hear and then see literally thousands of Sandhills rising from fields in the distance to fly over to Whitewater. This image shows only a small segment of the many, many cranes that were flying around and dropping from the sky as we watched.

Here is part of a large group coming in to land in the field. Try and keep in perspective that this activity is happening in several spread out locations. There are literally Sandhill Cranes flying around and landing in many, many areas. There are lots of birds.

They are coming in closer to land now, dumping the wind from their wings spreading their legs picking their landing spot getting ready to land.

You can see them spread their wings and slow their decent as they prepare to land. They are magnificent flying machines.

At one point a large portion of the flock decided to relocate. They took off in mass and made a low circle coming back to roost closer to the water's edge. In totality they didn't move more than about 50 yards.

In this image the group from the image above is circling back and will land closer to the water's edge.

One of the crane decided to display his wings. A rather large wingspan.

Sandhill Crane typically mate for life. You will often see them in a pair, which is probably the male and female of the species. Here, we most likely have a family of three. The two adult and the juvenile born and raised this past summer. The juvenile is the bird on the left. Note the lack of color on the head and the brownish tinge on the side. The juvenile, called a colt when younger, is brown in color and this youngster is loosing his younger plumage. The female Sandhill normally lays two eggs and if food is plentiful and predators or disease do not take the chicks they can raise both of them to adulthood. Most often only one chick survives hence a family of three is fairly common.

This image is just another view of a possible family group. The juvenile is the bird in the center.

Here is one last look at two Sandhill crane setting up for a landing. They look so very graceful as they drop out of the sky.

In this image they have largely settled into the wetlands areas. They will continue to shift and move around. The noise they make lifts your spirit. It is a wonderful sound.

If you are ever south of Tucson in the winter, be absolutely certain to visit Whitewater Draw and see and hear and experience the Sandhill Cranes. It will be an experience you will never forget. We have seen such a display many,many times and each time for us seems fresh and new and still fills us with awe and wonder. It is a neat place with incredible birds.

We hope you have enjoyed this post and as always let us know if you have any questions or comments.

All the best
George & Deanna