Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge

The beautiful weather on the day after Christmas beckoned Bill and me to Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge to see what we could see.  Sandhill cranes were there, but not as "up close" or abundant as some years.  The cove in front of the viewing platform hosted only a few ducks and those were too far away to id. Of course reports were heard of Whooping Cranes having been seen in the last two weeks but they didn't show up for us. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful afternoon of bird-watching. Sandhill cranes, blue herons, bald eagle and white pelicans.

Sandhill Cranes and Herons

Two Cranes strolling by

A very large flock of white pelicans seen from the viewing platform at the Cherokee Removal Historic Site, Tenn River near the confluence of the Hiwassee. A bald eagle can be seen in a mid-range treetop.

We usually leave by way of Blythe Ferry Rd back to Hwy 58. Where the road crosses a cove, we often see flocks of sandhills. These are just a few of the large flock there today.