While staying in Bisbee, we drove 25 miles east to Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area one morning, hoping to see cranes. This unassuming wetland—a few trifling ponds bordered by scraggly mesquite—is one of the major winter homes for Sandhill Cranes.
Waiting For The Cranes
As many as twenty thousand Sandhill Cranes gather here at Whitewater Draw. That’s a lot of cranes. They spend their nights standing in the shallow waters (it’s their best bet for avoiding predators), and rise at sunrise in undulating waves to feed in nearby fields. At some point later in the day, they return.
Our chance of seeing cranes was good, but it’s not a given. We waited for more than an hour, enjoying observing a couple hundred Snow Geese, but almost giving up on the cranes.
Snow Geese Arriving
Finally, one lone crane appeared. We waited longer. And then, almost imperceptibly, a dark cloud of pencil dots appeared on the horizon, followed by another cloud, and then another. Within thirty minutes, wave after wave of cranes descended onto the refuge.
Preparing to land
Landing gear down!
Over a period of an hour or two, the ponds and shoreline were blanketed with thousands of these beautiful creatures, standing close together as they preened, slaked their thirst, and socialized.
Finding refuge
A herd of cranes
Enjoying a drink of water
Chiricahua Mountains in the background
Standing four-feet tall with a wingspread of seven feet, these elegant gray-feathered, crimson-capped birds are an unforgettable sight, even more so en masse. If you go to Whitewater Draw, plan to be there between November and February. After that, the cranes depart, heading north to nest and raise their young.
Love the narrative as much as the photos! I wonder if that’s how Quartzsite is for the coyotes and rabbits, watching the descent of thousands of RVs coming over the ridge every Winter? The V pattern shot is wonderful, and their red masks are so fun. Thanks for sharing :-)
Thanks, Jodee. Haha, that’s a great analogy for Quartzsite! I must admit to passing through Quartzsite as quickly as possible. Whitewater Draw, on the other hand, deserves an overnight visit.
The experience is so hard to describe yet one I’m so glad I personally witnessed. Next time you’ll need to overnight. Obviously you won’t be disappointed. Love shot #15. What size lens did you use and did you crop much?
Next time will definitely be an overnight! It was wonderful reading about your experience staying a couple of days at the refuge, Ingrid. I think we were there just a week before you were. Wish we could have birded together! I shot the crane portrait with my Canon SX50 (max zoom 1200) and cropped it (hence, not as sharp as I would like).
Wow! I want to see that. It looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Colette, it’s worth the trip — and a nice respite from the cold and wet Oregon winter.
I am envious every time I see yet another blogger post about Whitewater Draw. I long to hear the sound of thousands of cranes approaching the ponds. What a thrill it must be to see them arriving en masse. Must add this to the list for next winter. You captured some great photos Laurel.
This is a place you would love, LuAnn. The sound of the cranes approaching the ponds in the afternoon is thrilling. I also want to experience again the cranes as they wake in the morning, but we need to overnight at the refuge for that!
You can tell what type birders we are since we stayed in Naco for two weeks and didn’t make the drive here:) It does sound like you had a wonderful experience. So glad the sandhill cranes returned for you to witness this arrival of hundreds of them. I remember Ingrid saying they left at sunrise but returned around 11:00. I love that shot of the two birds close up in flight:)
I remember our first experience meeting these big guys. It was our first year full-timing and we were staying at the Escapee Park in Bushnell, FL. We had just set up and I looked out the window and there were three of the largest birds I had ever seen. Someone told us what they were. It was great fun watching them wander around the campground.
Pam, knowing how much you enjoy the “big birds” I think you guys would enjoy the experience of thousands of cranes. Sounds like you had an amazing up-close encounter with your very own Sandhill Cranes in Florida!
Fabulous pictures of the cranes! What a breath taking experience. I can only imagine what a thrill it must have been. Your description is terrific! If the cranes are there from November-February it sounds like you just made it. Good timing. I didn’t realize one could camp on a National Wildlife Refuge. For sure I must try to have this experience. I am again so envious of your friends caravaning with you to these amazing places.
Sherry, we were there in mid-February, so yes, we just made it. Next time we’ll stay overnight so that we can witness the dawn awakening and take off of the cranes. We experienced that one time at Muleshoe Refuge in Texas, and it’s a sight we’ll never forget.
Dear Eric and Laurel: What a wonderful stop on your journey!!! We have a few cranes here now and then, there were more in Florida, but just south of my home here in Portage, about 25 miles, there is a state conservation area where they have planted grain for the birds for a stopover on their migration route on the Missippi (central) flyway. In the fall (Oct. & Nov) there are thousands of Sandhill Cranes who congregate there for 4 or 6 weeks to rest and feed. We always went down to view them there. People come from all over to see them. A gorgeous, inspiring sight!!!! Love to all, Barbara
Barbara, how wonderful that you have a conservation area for the cranes close to your home (with grain fields for them, as well!). Perhaps we can get there in the fall sometime to see them with you. Love to you, too. :-)
So pleased to see this post, Laurel. This was something we missed seeing. And we were so close! They are wonderful pictures.
There are always so many things to experience, aren’t there? I don’t think we’ll ever run out of things to do. Glad you enjoyed the photos, Carol.
Ahhh, there’s nothing like the sight of thousands of cranes. One of our favorite places and a must see for birders. So glad you made the trip.
Even better than the pictures is your lovely narrative. You have a wonderful way with words. Thanks so much.
Thank you, Jo. I so appreciate your kind words. You’re fortunate to be in close proximity to so many amazing birding spots!
Oh Yeah! I had a wonderful time there and the feelings I had seeing hundreds of them flying in was indescribable.
I too was about to give up and started to leave when I heard the unmistakable sound.
Thank you for taking me back again.
I agree, ML — it’s a unique experience to be amongst thousands of Sandhill Cranes. It’s amazing to me how far away their voices travel — you hear them long before you can see them.