Sunset on the Platte River in Nebraska . . . . Sunset on the Platte River here in Nebraska is quite lovely, as it must be just about anywhere. There's somet
hing very magical about watching a sunset at the end of a day. It marks the time of day when most of us know that peaceful slumber is soon to come. It can be a time to reflect on anything and everything or maybe a rare moment in which we simply allow ourselves to be still. Seasons, like sunsets, mark the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Typically in March around here, Mother Nature is confused as to whether she would like to tease us with a little bit of spring time or if she would prefer to have winter hang around for just a tad longer. The sandhill cranes are beginning to arrive, just as they do every year at this time. It was reported that the first cranes of the year arrived about a week ago when we were experiencing several days of beautiful weather with the temperatures clear up into the fifties. That was remarkable after several weeks (or has it been months) of below freezing temps. However, the warmer weather was short lived as blizzard conditions set in just days after the first cranes arrived. I always marvel at how such seemingly delicate creatures are able to survive the harsh conditions of Nebraska winters, relentless bitter cold temps and wicked Artic winds. I also wonder how the not quite so delicate cows out in the pastures fare, with little or no shelter to speak of. In just a few short weeks, we will have had over half a million cranes visit us before they continue on their northward journey to their breeding grounds. They roost along the Platte River at night time and spend their days frolicking in neighboring fields. It is an extraordinary sight to watch these large birds fly in for the night or take off early in the morning for their daytime adventures.
hing very magical about watching a sunset at the end of a day. It marks the time of day when most of us know that peaceful slumber is soon to come. It can be a time to reflect on anything and everything or maybe a rare moment in which we simply allow ourselves to be still. Seasons, like sunsets, mark the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Typically in March around here, Mother Nature is confused as to whether she would like to tease us with a little bit of spring time or if she would prefer to have winter hang around for just a tad longer. The sandhill cranes are beginning to arrive, just as they do every year at this time. It was reported that the first cranes of the year arrived about a week ago when we were experiencing several days of beautiful weather with the temperatures clear up into the fifties. That was remarkable after several weeks (or has it been months) of below freezing temps. However, the warmer weather was short lived as blizzard conditions set in just days after the first cranes arrived. I always marvel at how such seemingly delicate creatures are able to survive the harsh conditions of Nebraska winters, relentless bitter cold temps and wicked Artic winds. I also wonder how the not quite so delicate cows out in the pastures fare, with little or no shelter to speak of. In just a few short weeks, we will have had over half a million cranes visit us before they continue on their northward journey to their breeding grounds. They roost along the Platte River at night time and spend their days frolicking in neighboring fields. It is an extraordinary sight to watch these large birds fly in for the night or take off early in the morning for their daytime adventures. ~
Not everyone around here welcomes the birds. Some people think they can be a nuisance. One person, in a local newspaper article a few years ago, referred to the birds as "flying rats." I try to be open minded, and as humorous as I find that comment, I do not understand this person's perspective. Perhaps the birds were here way before us humans, so that would make US the bothersome ones. Maybe soon, I'll be able to get a few new shots of these birds, that is . . if I can find my way through the other picture-hungry people aiming for a decent shot. Along with the birds come the tourists. Sometimes it's just as interesting watching them marvel at the birds. Watching the sandhill cranes . . . most definitely can be classified as an extraordinary simplicity. Jo Ellen
2 comments:
What a nice thing you posted about the cranes. We have a few here in Louisiana but many over in Texas in the winter. You can hear them so very far away. Thanks! Jim
Thank you for your comment, Jim. Yes, you can hear them so very far away. They're arriving from the south by the boat load now. I drove home from work the other day down a gravel road that runs parallel to the Platte River and I enjoyed seeing all the birds . . soaring, sailing in the air and dancing in the fields . . There's so many of them at this time of year, and the mass quantities are fascinating to observe.
Take care, Jo Ellen
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