When Al and I were invited to join friends in Rockport, Texas, for the month of January, we weren’t sure what to expect.
The arrangement for our month long stay at a RV Park was set up by the friends. I’ll admit my initial thought upon pulling into this park was less than favorable, but little did I realize I was within a bicycle ride of an endangered bird.
Birder I am not, but I am a huge fan of all kinds of wildlife. That said, I was surprised that on my morning walks or bike rides I would routinely see a bird that is regarded as a special and rare treat to behold.
Hailing from Canada, the whooping crane arrives to the Gulf of Mexico around mid-November. The whooping crane is the tallest of the North American birds standing at 4 to 5 feet tall with a wingspan of 7 ½ feet. During their migration south, they average 400 miles a day gliding on thermal currents.
Their plumage is white with patches of red along the top of their heads and streaks of black under their eyes. Young whoopers have rust-colored markings.
Whooping cranes are one of the best-known of all endangered species. It’s believed only 15 or 16 survived the winter of 1941-1942. The present world population is about 475 wild and captive whoopers. Only one self-sustaining population survives in the wild and they spend their winters in Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
Our RV Park is located on the other side of the St. Charles Bay from this refuge. It appears there are several whoopers who like to visit my side of the bay, just down the road. I know, how cool is that?
More birding tales to come and I’m working on my camera settings. I believe this is just the beginning of photo fun with birds. Stay tuned.
Live Laugh RV 
80 responses to “Endangered Whooping Cranes”
[…] During storms and high winds, the trees act as shelter for a sorts of wildlife perhaps even the whooping cranes. […]
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That’s pretty special to be in a place with those rare birds.
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Yes, a rare and special treat for sure. There’s a family just down the road from me feeding in a field on most days….dad, mom, and young one….very cool.
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Well look at you!! Snapping those great bird pics 🙂 You go girl,
Hector
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Thank you Hector. I’m working on it 🙂
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One more comment from me today (I’ve been leaving them all over your blog!) Just want to say 1. you’re doing a great job with your camera, photographing all those birds there and 2) I guess you’ve discovered why we like the whooping cranes so much in Wisconsin – being a part of this experiment to get a second migratory flock established (or “re-introduced” – that’s the correct term I guess).
Also, I want to point you to Operation Migration’s Field Journal – if you haven’t already discovered it: everything you ever wanted to know about whoopers, and things you didn’t even know you wanted to know!
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I appreciate ALL the comments and I will definitely be reading the field journal to learn more about the whoopers. I sure hope the flock in FL make it back to WI this summer. I’m hooked and will definitely be following. Thank you for your comments and kind compliment 🙂
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I am really enjoying your birding photos. I have been bird watching 6+ years and it would be amazing to camp near these cranes! Enjoy your month, Ingrid.
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Thank you…..I’m still not a ‘birder’ but I am definitely having fun observing some real beauties around here.
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It just goes to prove that you are always whooping it up.
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I do try 😆
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Lucky you! I’ve only seen captive whoopers. Do you follow Krahn pix? He blogged a very cool post recently http://krahnpix.com/2014/01/14/a-welcome-imposter/
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Yes, lucky me and no have not seen that blog, but I now follow….thank you. His photos are stunning!
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😀
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I had no idea they were 4 to 5 feet tall!
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They are large that’s why it was awesome when they started walking among the cattle….it truly shows their size.
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We’re seeing lot’s of Sandhill cranes here in South Florida.
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How fun…..aren’t they fun to watch AND hear?
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I really like your shots
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Thanks Larry, and I’m glad your comments are coming through again 🙂
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Hey your bird photography is getting good… we’ll all have to watch our steps Ingrid is on the prowl… beautiful… I believe the whooping crane has a special dance as well, am I right.?? I love your photos…
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Thanks….I keep practicing and It’s called luck. You know, I don’t know about their special dance. None of the info I’ve read on them makes mention 😉
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Most cranes have a mating dance that is spectacular to see… do they breed in the area or elsewhere… ??
I have witnessed our Blue Crane doing his dance but never with camera in hand…. one day…one day…
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There were a couple of birds doing a mating dance in camp last night but I think it was the gray haired crane and not the blue crane. Sorry no photos either 🙂
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How thrilling that is! And finding a gem in unlikely, unexpected place too. You also get 5 cool points 😀 for getting that picture with the cow. It gives proof how tall it really is. Plus, the image looks like something from a Walt Disney animated movie scene. 😀 Enviable, it truly is. Additionally, I said too much additions. 😆
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It was fun encountering these beauties. I was surprised to see them hanging with the cows so comfortably…..you’re right, like Disney characters. Thanks 🙂
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You were very lucky to get such wonderful photos of a rare and beautiful bird! I’m seriously jealous!
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I’m embarrassed to say it took me a week to realize I was observing and photographing the endangered whooping crane. There’s so many unique birds around here I may just have to break down and purchase a book on birds 😉
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wew, nice pics buddy 😀
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Thank you and thanks for stopping by 🙂
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That was an interesting video wasn’t it? Caught it on the news the other day. I shared your information with a friend who was heading up to Rockport and they saw two cranes in the afternoon. Hopefully, we’ll be as lucky when we get up that way soon.
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I have seen the whoopers in the afternoon as well but mostly in the morning. It’s fun to share our adventures. I’ll be heading into Corpus Christi this weekend to walk along the shore that your group did last Sunday. Keep sharing those gorgeous photos of your 🙂
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Nice! Great write up and pictures 🙂
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Thanks John…..keep enjoying the desert. I look forward to our return to AZ to let things dry out!
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I am green with envy! I always loved seeing the sandhill cranes during our time in Yellowstone but have always longed to see a whooping crane. Great photos Ingrid! 🙂
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A true treat indeed. I’m on a quest now for the roseate spoonbill. I did photograph one the other day but the lighting was tough and Picasa only allows me so much latitude. I’m having a great time running around with my camera but sure would enjoy a photography buddy….hint, hint 🙂
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God would I love to be there with you! When you finally treat us to a roseate spoonbill Terry may just find the truck gone and a note on the table reading “heading out to the big state of TX”! 🙂
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What an adventure! The pictures are great…stay on auto!
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Thank you…..half the time I don’t have my reading glasses anyway and can’t see to change the settings LOL
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Love your bird pictures. 🙂
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Thanks….if you enjoy birding than this is the place. 🙂
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Amazing! We have been to Goose Island at least 7 times and never seen one yet…Do keep an eye peeled for the Roseate Spoonbill too. They are a gorgeous rose pink around their wing area…Maybe you have already spotted them…They are a pretty color, but that “spoon bill” is a little on the “ugly duckling” side..I am not a real “birder” either, but I do enjoy them!
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Yes, I’ve spotted the Roseates off Fulton Beach Road and again at the Aransas Wildlife Refuge. That face sure doesn’t go with that pretty body, does it? I’ll be sure and email you directs to spot the whoopers in case I miss your smoke signals when you get to Goose Island 😆
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I saw the video of the guy teaching the whooping cranes to fly. I absolutely loved the fact that they tried to have no human contact with the birds, other than hearing the engines start up every day when the birds were still in the egg.
I think it is totally awesome that you got the shots of them!
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Thanks…..once I realized what kind of birds I was photographing, I couldn’t wait to get more shots. It is interesting to see how they are trying to help repopulate the species 🙂
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Love these fantastic captures! Thank you so much for taking us there!
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You welcome. I have a couple of more weeks here so I’ll keep trying to get more 🙂
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Wow, what a treat! Great bird pictures too. Now I know where our stay in TX will be next winter. Keep it coming for I am looking forward to all your bird pictures.
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This is a birder’s paradise around here. I’ll be sharing more in upcoming posts. Also checking out some of the other RV Parks as I can’t recommend this one, although we would stay here again 🙂
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I’m green with envy. I can’t imagine anything more thrilling than to seeing these endangered birds. Great shots!
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Yes, you would enjoy watching these magnificent creatures. There’s a group of photographers that regularly cruise up and down the road looking for the whoopers and they have some mega lenses. I’ll be sharing a photo from one of the guys in an upcoming post, with his permission of course.
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There are not a lot of choices for RV pars around Port A.. We stayed on the beach and in two rv parks right on the beach and suffered a good bit of corrosions from the steady and salty winds off the gulf. They zapped our fridge circuit board, ate up the bearings, sprockets and chains on our bikes, and caused huge blooms of orange to break out on the trailers frame, propane tanks, and wheels. Inland is better.
Box Canyon Mark
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My dad warned us about the salt spray and corrosion so I don’t feel too badly not being so exposed. We’re nestled amongst oak trees and several blocks away from the Gulf north of Rockport. That’s some scary tales Mark and makes the desert look all the more desirable.
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What a lovely creature! So big! You captured it beautifully…what fun!
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Thanks….you and the Mr. should swing through sometime. I’m not sure you’ll enjoy it as much as AL but you’ll enjoy. So many different birds 🙂
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Loving the arm chair birding – Great Captures:) What kind of cow is that though? Happy Hump Day!
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Ok it took me a week to figure out I was admiring an endangered whooping crane and now you want to know what kind of cow…….I’ll get back to you 😆
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Sorry! The cow is just so unique looking that I have to know and I am sure your readers would like to know too – ha!
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It’s a ‘Texas’ cow 😆
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I will have to do an internet search on Texas cows. Looks like it should be on the plains of Africa instead.
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Lovely photos, and you are fortunate to be able to see them so often, for sure. They are beautiful birds!
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I see them almost every morning and do feel fortunate as it is a rare encounter. Now if I could get just a little closer……
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I would likely have fallen off my bike to see something so amazing while riding! Beautiful captures Ingrid and enjoyed the information as well.
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They are quite the sight to behold and their whooping sound is very unusual and loud. Ah, me on my bike…..I look more like Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love with my front basket and no bike helmet gently pedaling. I don’t bike like you or my brother 😉
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I wish I looked like Julia Roberts! 🙂
I look forward to more photos of the beautiful wildlife.
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Oh, didn’t I say you had to use your imagination? 😕
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I would like that too. I love the wildlife and love being around them. That’s real cool!
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When we first arrived, I had no idea what a birders paradise it is here. A real treat for anyone who enjoys wildlife 🙂
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Amazing shots and animals!
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Thanks. I’m having a great time watching all these unique birds along the Gulf coast.
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🙂
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Wicked cool shots Ingrid!
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Thanks Nancy…..these birds have been my perfect diet companion, I’m so engrossed in watching them I forget to eat haha.
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Bless those birds then!!
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Your photos are great Ingrid, as is this informative post. Keep it coming.
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Thanks Mike and coming from an accomplished photographer such as yourself I appreciate the comment 🙂
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Such a treat to see Whooping Cranes! Beautiful pictures. Thanks for posting.
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Thanks and it really is fun to watch AND listen to this rare bird 🙂
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I’m not a birder either but I do enjoy watching the larger birds. The whopping crane is huge. Great photo of them in flight. Enjoy your month stay…relax and kick back:)
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It was over a week before I knew what these birds were and what a special and rare treat it truly is to witness. Definitely relaxing and living on RV time 🙂
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