October 24, 2011

Wildlife Wonders of Alaska - Sandhill Cranes

A sandhill crane is not the type of bird that one normally associates with Alaska, but they make regular appearances in locations such as Fairbanks. These are large migratory birds that are predominately found in North America. In fact, they are Alaska’s largest game bird, favoring grasslands, meadows, and wetlands. Sandhill cranes begin to flock at Creamers Field in May and then stay for several months. 

Creamers Field is a former dairy in Fairbanks and now an 1800-acre wildlife refuge managed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This was one of the places where we headed after getting into Fairbanks a couple of days early. Upon arrival, we spotted a flock of sandhill cranes in the distant fields. We bolted out of the rental car and started to photograph them immediately. As expected, they quickly moved away the crazy people with cameras. This was one of my initial images before the flock commenced to be a mere speck in our viewfinders.


11 comments:

  1. We see a lot of those here in Florida...but I don't think of them living in Alaska! Wow! ♥

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  2. I've never seen one, thanks for the view.

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  3. I never realized they were all the way in Alaska because we see them all the time here in Florida.
    Great picture though!
    HUGS
    Kim

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  4. A very interesting bird Donna.
    I am finding all about what I don't know about the northern hemisphere flora and fauna from your blog posts. Thank you! The posts photos of the animals below are also as interesting.
    Hope your thumb heals quickly for you Donna. Bad luck about the bump off the chair onto the floor. Take care!

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  5. They're pretty. I've never seen one except in photos and this is a particularly good picture.

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  6. What a pretty shot!!!
    Hope your thumb is healing nicely!!
    hughugs

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  7. Nice! I bet seeing a whole flock of them would be pretty cool!

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  8. Pretty picture. Too bad they weren't up for a photo op :) I've never seen them other than in pictures

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  9. Donna, Donna, Donna. :-)

    What a beautiful shot! Oh my GOSH! You were being blessed (as you almost always are) with a fantastic shot! Really, that's like National Geographic fantastic. Great job, wonderful photo.

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  10. I had to come back for a second look. :) I hope everybody is clicking on your photo because the eye in the expanded shot is neat.

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  11. What a delicate and curiously handsome feller!

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