After making my way southwest through Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico, I left the main roads to venture to Whitewater Draw wildlife area in McNeal, AZ. I heard about this site last year and made mental note to check it out early this season. From October to February this is the wintering location for the Sandhill Crane. Thousands upon thousands of these gangly-legged but graceful birds make their home standing in the shallow water to avoid the larger land predators like coyotes, bobcats and javelinas. Rising well before sunrise, I made my way down to the edge of the marsh area so I could watch the cranes fly off in search of food left in the newly harvested grain fields . They return around noon for an afternoon rest and some venture out again in the afternoon. Sunset is when they all return and the sky is filled with thousands of cranes flaring out to land and settle for the night.This week there were somewhere between 20,000 to 30,000 Sandhills enjoying the warmth of this 1,500 acre wildlife habitat. With my camera I tried to capture the sunrise flight, the return at noon to siesta and the sundown homecoming.
The bonus feature is a small free camping area right next to the shore that accommodates about 5 to 7 RV’s. I stayed 3 days and loved every minute!
Cranes at sunrise
Cranes coming in for afternoon nap
Cranes at sunset
gypsy soul 