Whooping Cranes

One of my Facebook friends posted photos of whooping cranes, making me jealous  inspiring me to travel south in search of them myself.   

Success!  Once numbering only 15 in 1941, there are currently over 500 in North America.  They are still one of the most endangered birds in the world and they spend their winters here in Texas.  They can
also be found at their nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada.

Upon my arrival at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, I asked the volunteer rangers on duty at the headquarters where I would be most likely the see the whooping cranes.  I found a pair at Heron Flats, just as they said I might.  Each pair vigorously defends a territory of about 250 acres in size, so it's unlikely to find more than a small family in one spot.  

The next morning I spotted a family on the side of the road.  Along Highway 35 between Rockport and Aransas NWR is where I took these photos.    

Standing five feet tall, these are the tallest birds in the United States.  If I was closer to him when he did this I would have been frightened and might have been tempted to run.  They keep their distance, though, and will likely be quite a distance away when spotted.  These certainly tested the limits of my zoom lens.  

I'm linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday.  Visit to view birds from around the world or link up your own.