Sandhill cranes: Herald of Springtime
Spring is coming to Colorado. One sign: the return of the Sandhill Crane. A big gray bird with a crimson colored crown, the sandhill crane can be four feet tall, with a six-foot wingspan. And every March, the southern Colorado town of Monte Vista celebrates the sandhill crane, as one massive flock makes a stopover on its way north for the summer. It’s a sight some call one of North America’s greatest wildlife phenomena: tens of thousands of cranes descending on the San Luis Valley. In the fields, some begin an elaborate courtship dance: huge wings spread, heads bobbing, and all the while making a sound almost unlike any other herald of springtime. The Monte Vista Crane Festival is virtual this year. Look up the Festival’s Facebook page for online viewing.
About Colorado Postcards
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. See more postcards.
