Watching the Sandhill Crane Migration in Grand Island Nebraska -Mar 2012

Sandhill cranes at dusk video (click to view)

		Sandhill Cranes in Nebraska VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Platte River Valley in Nebraska is the narrowest part of the central “flyway” which funnels ½ million Sandhill Cranes (and many other birds, including eagles & whooping cranes) on their journey north. 80% of the total Sandhill Crane population goes through Nebraska and are the oldest living bird species on the planet. They are also huge with a 4’ height & 6’ wingspan. These social birds roost overnight in the shallow river by the multi-thousands. In this way they can be warned of  predators approaching in the water (aka coyotes). We sneaked toward the Plate River and quietly slipped into “blinds” set up along the shore. We went both for sunrise “take-off” and again at dusk when the birds return to their roost. From the blind, we could view their activity without disturbing them. They stay in the Nebraska area 3-4 weeks, fattening up on corn from the leftovers in the fields and finding mates before they continue their journey. The mating dance is most exciting to watch as the males perform jumps, prances, wing flicks, and corncob tossing. Most of them fly to Canada & the Arctic, but some keep going all the way to Siberia. We’re trying out a video on our webpage for the first time, so you can share our incredible nature experience. Click on link above to view it (hopefully.)

Costa Rica Feb 2012

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Since November, we felt that there has been too much snow, too much cold & wind, and too much staying in one place. So, we decided to escape to beautiful Costa Rica for a winter respite. What a fantastic country! There are 200 volcanoes in the country, with 5 still active. Protected wildlife preserves comprise 25% of the country’s land. Between hiking in forests (rainforests with high drop-off suspension bridges, cloud-forests, and dry forests), cruising on crocodile infested rivers through forests and wetlands, and beachcombing on the gulf and the Pacific, we were treated to much of the country’s and the world’s renowned species of wildlife. We saw, in their native habitat, many sloths, monkeys (spider, white-faced, and howler), crocodiles and caimans, turtles, and zillions of birds. The food was simple and tasty as well, maximizing the use of locally grown items as fresh tropical fruits, sugar and molasses, and fantastic coffee. The people were friendly and welcoming. Some indigenous peoples still exist. They were so spread out that they could not be used by the colonizing Spanish in 1500’s. Hence, they do not have similar histories as Peru and Mexico. They are currently experiencing illegal immigration problems that sound just like the USA’s. Nicaraguans come in illegally and take jobs that Costa Ricans don’t want to do (such as manually harvesting coffee beans and sugar cane.) Costa Rica is considered to be the “greenest” (ecological) country in the world; currently 90% of their power is from renewable sources: volcanic (geothermal), hydroelectric, and solar. Their army was abolished in 1949 and those funds were put into education and other social programs instead. Costa Rica (the Rich Coast) is only ½ the size of Kentucky, is quite diverse, and offers something for everyone. Pura Vita!