Posted by Philip Schwarz on December 22, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I've been thinking of driving down to view the spring Sandhill Crane migration along the Platte river. I've visited the website and have several questions:
1. Is it best to reserve a blind or are there lots of great shots to be had without a blind?
2. If a blind isn't necessary where are the best locations for photography?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Darren Huski on December 22, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Hoping some of the Kansas folks can chime in on this for you, because I do not think we have many folks active from Nebraska here at CSNP.
Posted by Rob Graham on December 22, 2010 at 9:43 PM
wish I could help. The cranes are on my to do list, but not for a while.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on December 23, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Hi Phil, you're best bet is the Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbons, NE. Kearney, NE hosts a Rivers & Wildlife Conference in March every year to coincide with the annual migration. Info can be found here: http://www.nebraska.audubon.org/RWC.htm.
You can sign up to go out to a large viewing blind (holds about 30 people) at Rowe Sanctuary for sunrise and/or sunset viewing. I've gotten some very nice images from this large blind.
As you mentioned you can reserve small blinds that are positioned in strategic spots nearby but those require cash and an overnight stay in sparce conditions. In the blind well before sunset and no leaving the blind until well after liftoff the following morning. Be prepared for a long and cold night on the river.
While I've never reserved one myself I've been told they are a crap shoot. Some days there may be cranes so close that you'd need a wide angle lens to shoot them. At other times they may not roost any closer than you could get from some road side shooting locations. Just depends.
You can drive the roads nearby after lift off and generally find some cranes in the fields feeding within reasonable shooting distance. They have some interesting interactions. Keep your eyes open for bald & golden eagles too. I once saw 9 golden eagles together on a sandbar.
There are other places that offer crane viewing along the Platte but the best spots I've experienced are those maintained by the Rowe Sanctuary. Best bet, contact Bill Taddicken (billtaddicken@nctc.net) Director of the Rowe Sanctuary and see what he recommends. Feel free to mention my name when you get in touch with him.
Discussion
3 replies1. Is it best to reserve a blind or are there lots of great shots to be had without a blind?
2. If a blind isn't necessary where are the best locations for photography?
Thanks in advance.
You can sign up to go out to a large viewing blind (holds about 30 people) at Rowe Sanctuary for sunrise and/or sunset viewing. I've gotten some very nice images from this large blind.
As you mentioned you can reserve small blinds that are positioned in strategic spots nearby but those require cash and an overnight stay in sparce conditions. In the blind well before sunset and no leaving the blind until well after liftoff the following morning. Be prepared for a long and cold night on the river.
While I've never reserved one myself I've been told they are a crap shoot. Some days there may be cranes so close that you'd need a wide angle lens to shoot them. At other times they may not roost any closer than you could get from some road side shooting locations. Just depends.
You can drive the roads nearby after lift off and generally find some cranes in the fields feeding within reasonable shooting distance. They have some interesting interactions. Keep your eyes open for bald & golden eagles too. I once saw 9 golden eagles together on a sandbar.
There are other places that offer crane viewing along the Platte but the best spots I've experienced are those maintained by the Rowe Sanctuary. Best bet, contact Bill Taddicken (billtaddicken@nctc.net) Director of the Rowe Sanctuary and see what he recommends. Feel free to mention my name when you get in touch with him.