Bird book writer,    Roger Troy Peterson told a fellow birder,   that all birdwatchers should experience the sandhill cranes on the Platte River in Nebraska (in your bucket list).    To do this  one must have a guide or biologist at take you there to see this amazing sight.   One drives in the darkness of predawn to an area of  the Platte River then proceed quietly to a hidden blind.  On the way there you can hear the soft scattered songs of the sandhill cranes coming what seemed like in all directions.  Then in the predawn light shapes appeared and the amazing density if the birds became apparent.  As sunlight broke over the horizon,  the cranes in small groups raised their voices and lifted off the shallow water,  followed by larger groups of 20-50.  As they rose in flight their bugling rattling calls were incredibly loud.  Some groups of 2-3 birds in clusters probably represented paired adult couples and their family.  What happened next was astounding.  Tens of thousands of the cranes lifted off together.  The sound of swirling masses of cranes  taking flight was spectacular and almost unreal.  The Platte River in Nebraska is a major resting and feeding area for about 500,000 sandhills that stop here before  migrating  south for the winter in late February to mid April and surprisingly they come all at the same time.   Written by:  Jack Kidd from an article in “Birders World” magazine December 2010 by Eldon Greij.

The rancher decided he had to face this wounded helpless bird. Since it’s wing and leg were injured it was unable to fly despite the urging of it’s friends who flew back to attempt assistance. The rancher felt he had to put the bird out of it’s misery now rather have it face the savage and painful death by a coyote. After taking care of his decision regarding the sandhill crane, he made a decision that changed his life forever. He would never ever shoot another game animal – not even a deer. Observing the depth of affection and loyalty of the cranes for one another was astounding and obvious. The ties that bind most animals together are strong. Bind yourself to the marvels of nature. Become part of it and observe.
Written by Jack Kidd.

As the sandhill cranes flew off the rancher returned to his truck and placed his shotgun in the gun rack. Then he returned to follow the fence line, but heard a sharp bugling sound and looked back. Some of the flock had returned to the same area. After which the rancher exclaimed “Dang it” and observed a wounded bird on the ground. The cranes had returned to their downed mate. These birds were trying to be supportive of their wounded friend. The rancher was very upset because the shotgun was loaded to shoot varmints, so the shot carried further that bird shot. The hunter was very saddened at what had transpired, and during the nest few minutes he was sick and that moment stayed with him the rest of his life. The depth of the affection and loyalty the sandhills’ had for one another was profound and obvious. (Conclusion later).
Written by Jack Kidd.

A small flock of sandhill cranes were feeding on grass and seed in a ranchers field in south Texas. The rancher was walking his fence line as he did each day in search of coyotes and feral hogs. He noticed movement in the distance and saw a flock of sandhill cranes standing alert at 46″ tall and with a wingspan of 77″. Aware of his presence, they could not decide if this would be an interruption to their eating so most remained erect, but a few continued to eat grass. The rancher decided that they should continue to feed elsewhere because grass was precious and the drought continued and he needed all the grass for his own livestock. He opened his truck and shouldered his shotgun. The cranes became nervous and apprehensive, turned away and began their takeoff runs. Since they were far out of his pasture he raised his gun, pointed it and shot. But then something bad happened.
Written by Jack Kidd.