Late in the evening

I am always amazed at the reaction of people who haven’t witnessed a sandhill crane arrival at sunset. Their excitement at the line of cranes as they emerge in the distance at dusk always brings a smile. The cranes grow closer and wheel toward a landing through the sunset colors.

Visitors have said the crane population is nearing 10,000 already midway through October and soon the winter months will descend on the wetlands and send some of them on their journey. Now is the time to see them as they spend their warm weeks in the Central Valley.