Friday, January 13, 2012

January Images

For the second year, Bill and I made a day trip to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge to the see Sandhill Cranes. We don't go on the official "Sandhill Crane Viewing Days," which is this weekend, but make the trip during the week on our own. We shared the observation deck with several dedicated birders - from New York State, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee - all hoping for a site of the rare Asian Hooded Crane that has been seen with the Sandhill flocks. I was also hoping for Whooping Cranes. Neither made an appearance during the two hours that I watched. I did get a glimpse of a couple of bald eagles. Nevertheless, the Sandhill congregation and choir was magnificent. You may have already seen my short video on facebook. The visual image is not great and the sound is not pure. The music of the great flocks was the best part of the trip.

Yodeled harmonies
Thousands of voices lifted
Sandhill symphony.


The first snow of the season fell today...enough to close school for the kids, but not enough to keep anyone in.
A dusting of snow
Makes the world seem prettier
if only briefly.

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