Dean M. Chriss
Photography
The Fall Migration, Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes
(Click image to enlarge)
In this photograph snow geese and sandhill cranes are seen arriving
at
their wintering grounds to feed in the early morning. Some of these birds have
traveled more than 3000 miles (4800 km)
to reach this site.
Sandhill
cranes (Grus canadensis) are the oldest surviving bird species on earth,
having survived unchanged
for roughly 2.5 million years. These migrations were beginning when humans were
first learning to use stone tools. During the strenuous journey to escape brutal northern
winters the cranes travel between two and five hundred miles each day. Survivors arrive
tired and hungry. The new arrivals are greeted with joyous dancing and calls
that can be heard a mile away. Their
existence depends entirely on this place and those along the way where they
rest.