Category Archives: Prairie Photography

Photo of the Week – March 21, 2014

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During the big sandhill crane migration spectacle each spring, about 600,000 cranes stop by to visit the Platte River.  Most of them stick around for a few weeks, put on as much body fat as they can, and then head north to nesting grounds.  However, a very low percentage of cranes never get to leave.  Some are killed by powerlines or predators, others just die of old age or other ailments.  We see these dead birds here and there through the spring, and so do the predators and scavengers that take advantage of the abundant food source.

Our crew stumbled upon a dead crane this week, and before the scavengers got to work on it (much) I took advantage of the opportunity to get some close up photos.  It’s not often I get this close to a crane, and I’m guessing the same is true for most of you.

Wing feathers of a dead sandhill crane, found along the Central Platte River in Nebraska.

Wing feathers of a dead sandhill crane, found along the Central Platte River in Nebraska.  As always, you can click on an image to see a larger and sharper version of it.

The combination of gray and brown feathers on the wing are particularly attractive.  The gray is the natural color of the crane’s feathers, but they stain their feathers by spreading iron-rich soil on them.  I’ve actually watched them do this in our restored wetlands, where streaks of iron deposits can be seen in bare sand.  In places where the sand is saturated when groundwater is high and dry when groundwater falls, the iron in the sand rusts and turns a deep reddish brown.  We use those rusted iron deposits as indicators when we’re deciding how deep to excavate wetlands during the restoration process, but they’re also a great place for cranes to find staining compound!

Given the propensity of humans to dye their gray hair other colors, we probably shouldn’t wonder at cranes doing the same kind of thing.  At least cranes can claim (legitimately) they’re doing it for camouflaging purposes.

Sandhill crane feathers (dead crane). Platte River Prairies.

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Sandhill crane feathers (dead crane). Platte River Prairies.

While the wing feathers were very pretty, the head of the dead crane was the most interesting to examine up close.  Some of you may know that the red patch on the head of a sandhill crane is not made up of red feathers, but is actually a (relatively) bald patch.  The red cap is a sign of maturity for these cranes – birds hatched last year don’t yet have one.

In cranes, at least, “crane-pattern baldness” is a good thing.

A close up of the red patch on the head of a dead sandhill crane, showing the absence of feathers.

A close up of the red patch on the head of a dead sandhill crane, showing the absence of feathers.

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Hubbard Fellowship Blog – March 2014

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This is a guest post by Eliza Perry, one of our Hubbard Fellows.

After a few months with very little fresh air, we have been busy getting ready for the crane and burn seasons here on the Platte. Anne and I have been trucking along with our research project reports, but I’m thrilled to be using my body again. We have been learning and hearing about the crane migration and spring burns for nine months now, and they are both finally here! I thought I’d share what we’ve been doing to prepare for these events.

CRANE BLIND PREP

Anne takes down old weathered burlap off the front of a blind. We cover the outside of the blinds with burlap and cut peepholes at different heights so that we can watch the birds without them knowing. Photo by Eliza.

Anne takes down old weathered burlap off the front of a blind. We cover the outside of the blinds with burlap and cut peepholes at different heights so that we can watch the birds without them knowing. Photo by Eliza.

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Nelson shows me that to get the best views, we need to cut all of the vegetation that can be seen from any angle inside the blind. Photo by Eliza.

Nelson shows me that to get the best views, we need to cut all of the vegetation that can be seen from any angle inside the blind. Photo by Eliza.

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We used a beaver blade (weed whacker with a chainsaw chain on the bottom) to cut down the vegetation in front of the blinds. Photo by Eliza.

We used a beaver blade (weed whacker with a saw blade on the bottom) to cut down the vegetation in front of the blinds. Photo by Eliza.

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Nelson sweeps cobwebs, bird poo and old nests off of the blind interior. Photo by Eliza.

Nelson sweeps cobwebs, bird poo and old nests off of the blind interior. Photo by Eliza.

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BURN UNIT PREP

Burn breaks are essential for conducting prescribed fires. We mow a 20ft swath around each burn unit and then rake these areas to keep fires contained and away from property lines. By mowing and raking, we are removing the majority of fuels that a fire needs to burn, which allows us to control where and how the fire moves. I went to mow our Miller property and encountered thousands of cranes getting their protein fix from insects and earthworms right inside of our burn unit. We decided to continue with our work anyway. The birds lifted off right in front of me. Photo by Eliza.

Burn breaks are essential for conducting prescribed fires. We mow a 20ft swath around each burn unit and then rake these areas to keep fires contained and away from property lines. By mowing and raking, we are removing the majority of fuels that a fire needs to burn, which allows us to control where and how the fire moves. I went to mow our Miller property and encountered thousands of cranes getting their protein fix from insects and earthworms right inside of our burn unit. We decided to continue with our work anyway. The birds lifted off right in front of me. Photo by Eliza.

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Nelson sharpens the blades on the shredder after several days of mowing. Photo by Eliza.

Nelson sharpens the blades on the shredder after several days of mowing. Photo by Eliza.

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FIRE REFRESHER

Land management professionals from various agencies and organizations got together at the Whooping Crane Trust for an annual fire refresher course. In this photo, Nelson is giving a presentation on fire equipment and safety. Photo by Eliza.

Land management professionals from various agencies and organizations got together at the Whooping Crane Trust for an annual fire refresher course. In this photo, Nelson is giving a presentation on fire equipment and safety. Photo by Eliza.

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Everybody practiced deploying a fire shelter. Fire shelters are a last resort for surviving intense radiant or convective heat in an entrapment situation when a fire becomes inescapable. Actual fire shelters are made with layers of aluminum foil and fiberglass, but they can each be used only once so these green tarp replicas are used during trainings. Photo by Chris Helzer.

Everybody practiced deploying a fire shelter. Fire shelters are a last resort for surviving intense radiant or convective heat in an entrapment situation when a fire becomes inescapable. Actual fire shelters are made with layers of aluminum foil and fiberglass, but they can each be used only once so these green tarp replicas are used during trainings. Photo by Chris Helzer.

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We also participated in sand table exercises, in which a moderator gives a team of professionals with different levels of field experience a burn plan and written scenarios to work through by constructing a burn unit on the sand table, given different variables (wind direction, terrain, etc.). It was really helpful for newbies like Anne and I to work with more seasoned firefighters to learn how to respond safely to various conditions. Photo by Eliza.

We also participated in sand table exercises, in which a moderator gives a team of professionals with different levels of field experience a burn plan and written scenarios to work through by constructing a burn unit on the sand table, given different variables (wind direction, terrain, etc.). It was really helpful for newbies like Anne and I to work with more seasoned firefighters to learn how to respond safely to various conditions. Photo by Eliza.

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In order to complete the certification for becoming a Type 2 firefighter, we had to pass either the “arduous” or “moderate” pack test, which involves walking 3 miles in under 45 minutes carrying 45lbs or walking 2 miles in under 30 minutes carrying 25lbs (respectively). We wore weight vests to distribute the weight evenly on our upper bodies. It was great team bonding, but most of us were pretty sore the next day. From right to left, Anne Stine, Eliza Perry, volunteer firefighter Anne Troyer, Mardell Jasnowski and Nelson Winkel. Photo by Chris Helzer.

In order to complete the certification for becoming a Type 2 firefighter, we had to pass either the “arduous” or “moderate” pack test, which involves walking 3 miles in under 45 minutes carrying 45lbs or walking 2 miles in under 30 minutes carrying 25lbs (respectively). We wore weight vests to distribute the weight evenly on our upper bodies. It was great team bonding, but most of us were pretty sore the next day. From right to left, Anne Stine, Eliza Perry, volunteer firefighter Anne Troyer, Mardell Jasnowski and Nelson Winkel. Photo by Chris Helzer.

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The Platte River Prairies crew hosted our own field day to practice using each of the hand tools and slip-on water pumps before we begin burning regularly. We learned techniques for laying wet lines and mopping up using both the truck and ATVs. Laying a wet line refers to spraying water (or foam or other fire retardant) ahead of the igniter along the inside of the burn break for an extra layer of protection; mopping up in this case means following behind the igniter and making sure the fire does not cross into the burn break. We will also need to master backing up ATVs with 200 gallons of water in tow. Here, Anne lays a wet line and I’m trying to stay at an appropriate distance in the truck. Photo by Chris Helzer.

The Platte River Prairies crew hosted our own field day to practice using each of the hand tools and slip-on water pumps before we begin burning regularly. We learned techniques for laying wet lines and mopping up using both the truck and ATVs. Laying a wet line refers to spraying water (or foam or other fire retardant) ahead of the igniter along the inside of the burn break for an extra layer of protection; mopping up in this case means following behind the igniter and making sure the fire does not cross into the burn break. We will also need to master backing up ATVs with 200 gallons of water in tow. Here, Anne lays a wet line and I’m trying to stay at an appropriate distance in the truck. Photo by Chris Helzer.

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SANDHILL CRANE VIEWING TOURS

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY WHOLE LIFE. It is absolutely breathtaking to see and hear thousands of these beautiful creatures all together. I have been leading tours most nights and a few mornings this past week, and on three of these occasions the birds were right in front of our blind. I found that I really enjoy watching the antics of just one bird at a time, bending gracefully to poke around in the sand or within their feathers. Their gait and coloring give them an especially regal appearance. They strut around among their companions and make the most beautiful racket I’ve ever heard. Several Nebraskans have told me crane calls signify spring to them. I like that much better than mud, the only indication of spring in Maine. Check out Anne Stine’s recent post for a more in-depth description

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY WHOLE LIFE. It is absolutely breathtaking to see and hear thousands of these beautiful creatures all together. I have been leading tours most nights and a few mornings this past week, and on three of these occasions the birds were right in front of our blind. I found that I really enjoy watching the antics of just one bird at a time, bending gracefully to poke around in the sand or within their feathers. Their gait and coloring give them an especially regal appearance. They strut around among their companions and make the most beautiful racket I’ve ever heard. Several Nebraskans have told me crane calls signify spring to them. I like that much better than mud, the only indication of spring in Maine. Check out Anne Stine’s recent post for a more in-depth description of her crane viewing experiences.  Photo by Eliza.

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A slightly crooked shot by Eliza.

A slightly crooked shot by Eliza.

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Sunset over the Platte River. Photo by Eliza.

Sunset over the Platte River. Photo by Eliza.

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