Quick trip to see the sandhill cranes

Before COVID-19, I had several plans to see the world-famous sandhill crane migration in Nebraska this spring. There was a crane festival to speak at, and a couple of other groups to assist with their viewing opportunities. We were going to make sure my mother saw the cranes in person for the first time. However, those were all canceled with COVID concerns.

But, I wanted to see the cranes. They were still there.

This afternoon, I grabbed my son and we left Lincoln about 5pm in a quick trip out for the 8:06pm sunset extravaganza at the viewing platform south of the Gibbon exit along I-80. Per normal, at first I was worried perhaps the warm weather had sent the cranes northward. However, right at sunset, they started to fly over, finding sandbars and taking their last look at the setting sun.

Enjoy the photos--sound on with the video!

This guy landed 20 minutes before the others. Maybe he's 'social distancing'??

Sunset and the cranes start to circle the Platte River.

Piling into the sandbar for the night.

Amazing view--still lots of cranes late in the season.