As you can tell from the location entered above, Joe, Heather, and I have
arrived back home. We started yesterday's drive at 6:30am from southern
Tennessee. After numerous stops along the way - diesel for the van; gas for
the truck; coffee to put in and pit stops to let it out; and a meal to tide
us over, we arrived home just before midnight last night.
After 12 days
short of four months away, it sure is good to be home again. But, I must
admit, it does seems a bit strange yet, and I am thinking it might take a
day or two to re-acclimate. Last night the hunt was on for my stock of
toilet paper, and this morning it had to be a paper towel in the
coffeemaker. Where on earth do I keep my coffee filters anyway?
But this Field Journal entry wasn't meant to be about me. It was meant to
let you know that we will continue to post entries here as usual. We expect
to have news of the results of health checks on both the St. Marks 10 and
the Chass flock from Disney's Dr. Scott Terrell very shortly. With Brooke
Pennypacker now on site (as of Friday) at St. Marks to take charge of winter
monitoring there, we will have regular reports from him too.
In addition to posts from Brooke, we are hoping for reports from Disney
personnel (Scott Tidmus, Dr. Scott Terrell, and Jay Therien) who, on a
rotation basis, are assisting with monitoring at St. Marks. We are fortunate
to have the able assistance of two volunteers (Christine Barnes and Gordon
Perkinson) this winter. Christine and Gordon spent time learning and taking
training at Necedah last summer in order to be able to help out at the pen
at St. Marks. Christine is a gifted writer, and we look forward to sharing
her impressions and experiences with the St. Marks 10 over the coming weeks.
So...all of this is to say, stay tuned. Although we may run a wee
bit behind with postings until we get our feet back under us again and as we
play catch up, you will still be able to get your Whooping crane 'fix' here
- not to mention the photos that Scott Tidmus has captured and promised
share.
Date:
January 24,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
KEEPING
YOU POSTED
Location:
On The Road
Joe, Heather and I are finally on our way home. With Joe driving our white
van hauling the aircraft trailer, and Heather and I driving the blue truck
pulling the CraneCam trailer, we managed finish up in St. Marks, FL
yesterday before hitting the trail for home.
Interestingly, from our
campsite outside of Dunnellon, Florida to the office in Port Perry, Ontario
it is a 1,287 mile drive, two more than the air miles flown on the
migration. And speaking of miles, while the planes and cranes flew 1,285
miles from Wisconsin to Florida, the ground crew driving/hauling vehicles
each logged more than 5,000 miles.
I left home for Wisconsin on October 7th, and if today we can chalk up
the remaining 750 miles we have left to drive, I will get to again sleep in
my own little bed tonight - 110 days later. Color me happy.
Date:
January 24,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOOD
BUFFALO-ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
On The Road
On January 21st, Tom Stehn, Whooping crane coordinator at the Aransas
National Wildlife Refuge, conducted the fifth aerial census of the 2009-2010
Whooping crane season. 253 Whooping cranes were sighted; 235 adults and 18
juveniles.
While this census found 10 less cranes than on Tom’s previous
census flight, he believed that some cranes were overlooked as the search
time was shortened due to the flight time being limited by fog. Due to
reported crane movements, the search area was expanded much further out into
upland areas, however, only three additional cranes were found in the
uplands at Welder Flats, whereas 12 had been located there the previous
week. This difference Tom said, seemed to account for the 10 fewer cranes
found on today’s flight compared to the previous flight.
Stehn said, “More telling than the total number of cranes tallied was the
distribution observed that seemed to confirm the estimated flock size. It
definitely appears that one juvenile has died since arriving at Aransas,” he
said. This juvenile had been found in the refuge’s South Sundown Island
territory. On this last flight a pair believed to be the South Sundown
Island pair was seen very close to their territorial neighbors to the south.
It seemed clear that I was looking at adjacent territorial pairs, and that
the South Sundown Island pair was missing its chick.”
Tom said, “It is also possible that the Dewberry Island pair at Welder’s
Flats has lost their chick, but it is also possible they had moved to
Matagorda Island where an unexpected family was spotted.
“The territories of adult cranes remain difficult to figure out,” Tom
noted, “ as many of the crane pairs have left their marsh and are searching
for food on the uplands. An unusually high number, 52 cranes, were on
unburned uplands. Four were found on the C14 refuge burn; 13 were in open
bays; two were at a game feeder on Lamar; and, 182 were in salt marsh.”
Stehn reported that, “Blue crabs are at extremely low levels and the cranes
are having to look for other sources of food. This is a very stressful time
of winter for the Whooping cranes.”
One additional juvenile that apparently separated from its parents during
migration was sighted near Medford, Oklahoma December 14-25. It has not been
re-sighted but is presumably doing okay in an unknown location.
With the inclusion of the chick last seen in Oklahoma, Tom's current
estimate of the flock size is 263; adults 244 plus 19 juveniles. One chick
has died since arriving at Aransas.
Date:
January 23,
2010
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
MAKING IT
POSSIBLE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
When you attempt to describe the Operation Migration team words like
dedication and tenacity come to mind --- or maybe obsessive compulsive would
be more accurate. Either way there is an excess of talent and the ability to
handle just about any situation.
We had a retired veterinarian with us
this season, along with a nuclear engineer. We also had a telecommunications
expert, an electrical engineer, several IFR pilots, a marketing executive, a
professional fund raiser, a non-profit specialist, a storm chaser, a flight
instructor, a metal fabricator, a saddle maker, an airline captain, a
commercial photographer, and a deep sea diver. That’s not to mention a lot
of talented computer people, some experienced trike pilots, and a collection
well trained aviculturists.
All of us at OM want to thank the many people who make this possible.
They give up weeks of their lives to live in motorhomes never knowing when
they will get their next shower. They deal with overwork or boredom, often
on the same day and are constantly guests on other people’s property.
They adapt to over-eating at the invitation of our hosts, or not getting
breakfast until 3:00 in the afternoon. They live with the limitation of how
much fresh water we can carry and the capacity of the grey water tanks, and
the icy reality of propane bottles that always run empty in the middle of
the night.
They tolerate the restrictions of 12 people and only four independent
vehicles to get around in so no outing is ever accomplished alone. They put
up with laundromats and greasy spoons, ‘borrowed’ internet connections and
poor cell phone reception, yet they return each year to volunteer again.
For six years Walter Sturgeon has helped us during the migration. He has
thirty years experience raising cranes and has performed all of the jobs on
migrating from roost checks to spotter in the top cover aircraft. He also
oversees the moving of camp and drives our biggest truck pulling our longest
trailer.
Gerald Murphy planned to assist us for the first half of the migration
this year, but because of all our delays, he only made it as far as our
first stop in Illinois. Among other talents Gerald is a skilled breakfast
practitioner who can whip up biscuits and eggs in the time it takes to check
the winds and call it another down day.
David Boyd helped move the camp and drove one of our trucks while his
wife Linda, worked with Liz at the many flyovers events we held. Bright,
articulate and always in a jovial mood, they were a great addition to the
team and we hope they come back. Great adventurers, they would explore the
countryside when ever we were down for a few days.
Jack Wrighter was recruited to this project with the expectation of
spending a couple of weeks providing top cover in his Cessna 172. That was
four years ago and he has flown countless hours since then, always circling
overhead, clearing the way through air traffic control, reporting
conditions, relaying messages to the ground crew and spotting wayward birds.
John Cooper, a retired airline captain, joined us in cold Wisconsin this
year. He was Jack’s co-pilot and spotter. His friendly smile always cheered
up the team when the delays became tedious.
Don and Paula Lounsbury have been at this as long as I have. They
volunteered to fly top cover in 1993 and have accompanied every migration
since. They flew the second half this year, replacing Jack and John in
Illinois. After chaperoning us as we skipped a stop on a particularly long
flight they had a fuel flow problem and lost their engine. The only field
available was wet and freshly ploughed, and their aircraft flipped during
the emergency landing. They were unhurt but could no longer provide top
cover.
After the Christmas break the two top cover pilots decided to join
forces. Don in his motorhome, and Jack in his Cessna, teamed up to see us to
the end of the migration.
Without the commitment of our volunteers, and the generosity of our many
good-natured stopover hosts, this project could not be accomplished. And
without people like Walter and Gerald, Jack and John, Don and Paula and
David and Linda it wouldn’t be much fun either.
Date:
January 22,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
THE ST
MARKS 10
Location:
St. Marks, FL
Disney Animal Kingdom's Scott Tidmus, along with Gordon Perkinson and
Christine Barnes have been taking care of the monitoring until the OM crew
could get organized and packed up. Brooke will be arriving here in St. Marks
by dinner time, and as of tomorrow he too will enter the morning and evening
pen check rotation.
Many of you are likely aware that yesterday we had
some storm fronts going through both of the wintering pensite areas. Scott
reported that all the birds came through the storm safely. The storm
produced about 18 inches of rain in the pen - and with the water up to their
hocks, the birds were loving it. Their human caretakers however, were not so
happy nor were they faring so well due to washed out roads and flooded
trails.
Already the St. Mark's 10 are being exposed to more natural food items,
including crabs, shrimp, and minnows. Their plumage continues to change, and
Scott is detecting small voice changes, so the handlers should be hearing
some adult voices before too long. Scott promises to try and get some photos
to us very soon.
Date:
January 22,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
Breathless
Location:
Citrus Co. FL
There is a rather well used quote that I love which is, “Life is not
measured by the number of breaths you take but rather by the moments that
take your breath away”. Yesterday morning I was left breathless for 54
minutes when I was invited by Jack Wrighter to fly with him and Don
Lounsbury in Plane-Plane – our top-cover aircraft.
This migration was my sixth journey south with Whooping cranes, but until
yesterday I had never seen the operation from up high. What a sight!
After
waiting for the fog to clear we took off from the Dunnellon airport seconds
after our four ultralights, and quickly climbed above them. I couldn’t
believe how tiny and fragile they looked from our vantage point 1500 feet
above. We circled overhead, and I watched as Erin and Geoff prepared to
release the remaining 10 members of the Class of 2009 from their temporary
pen below, and listened as Joe gave the cue to release them for a final air
pickup. The young cranes came charging out of the pen, and I held my breath
as they fell into position off Joe’s right wingtip.(Photo Left: Joe Duff moves in for an air pickup.)
Once on course they never wavered in their flight order – it was a
beautiful sight to behold as they followed Joe over the tall pines, which
soon gave way to housing developments, golf courses and eventually the
shopping malls and box stores that flank Highway 98.
All too soon I could see the solid land below give way to twisting rivers
and small bays, and knew that the ride of my life would soon be over and
that these young trusting Whooping cranes would just be beginning their new
wild life - one without ultralight leaders and pumpkin treats; one with Blue
crab and snails and free flying over the salt marsh of their new winter
home. And I felt so happy for them! (Photo right: About a mile or so to
go to the winter release site on the Chassahowitzka NWR.
After a successful air pick-up, the cranes quickly lined up off
Joe’s right wing.
The team from
ICF that will be doing the winter monitoring at Chassahowitzka
called the birds down using a loudhailer broadcasting the brood
call.
Date:
January 21,
2010
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
LEAD
PILOT'S REPORT - THE CONCLUSION
Location:
Citrus Co. FL
Distance:
26 miles
(Marion County to Citrus County, FL)
Total Miles
1285
We all know the weather conditions we experience while trying to lead these
birds south are the result of a million little variables. They range from
moisture content of the air to the topography it’s passing over and from the
heating affect of the sun to the rotation of the earth.
Despite the
science behind it, there are times when it feels like there’s an evil little
mind in control of the weather; someone with a nasty disposition and a mean
sense of humor. After playing with us like a cat with a mouse for 89 days,
it seems his mood had changed, and he allowed us two perfect days to finally
deliver these birds to their winter home.
In the rotation of pilots we use to share the responsibility of leading
the birds I had the privilege of guiding them on our last flight.
Thick fog lingered until 9AM and gave us some time to leisurely prepare
for the flight. When we finally took off the air was surprisingly smooth
despite the high sun angle. It was 55 degrees as I lined up a slow approach
toward the pen from the east and dropped down close to the ground.
Geoff Tarbox and Erin Harris released the birds for the last time. Erin
told me later there were tears in her eyes as she watched them form on the
wing and fly away. It only took one circle for them to settle into a slow
climb in perfect air. We even had a slight tailwind that pushed us along at
44 miles per hour. We climbed to 1500 feet to safely pass over the Crystal
River Airport, while Don Lounsbury and Jack Wrighter in the top cover
aircraft contacted any local traffic.
This year’s flock has a history of not wanting to give up altitude.
Several times we have had to circle over our destination to get them down.
The tidal pools and salt marsh around the Chassahowitzka pen make it
impossible for us to land, so we were worried about our limited options if
it happened again. Planning for all the variables that Whooping cranes can
throw at you is challenging, but we did have a spot on the mainland picked
out for a pen if needed.
At six miles out we began a slow descent. Dropping at about 100 feet per
minute the birds can set up a comfortable glide so they stayed formed on the
wing while we lost altitude. This seems to set the precedent for landing in
their little minds as we arrived at the pen at 200 feet. We circled wide and
set up an approach just as if we were about to touch down. When their wings
we cupped and their legs about to drop like extending landing gear, I added
full power and began to climb as fast as the aircraft could. I continued to
circle throughout the climb so even if they tried to follow they would be
close to the pen. The crew on the ground used their vocalizers to call them
down, and I aimed the web camera on my aircraft at the ground so our
internet audience could watch the last seconds of the migration.
At 2000 feet all four trikes and the top cover aircraft circled the pen
and watched as the last ten birds completed the 2009 migration.
We turned on course for the Dunnellon airport and flew along in perfectly
smooth air. It only takes one good flight to forgive the weather gods for
all the wrongs they have heaped on us.
It is all over for another year, and we each deal with the end in our own
way. There wasn’t much radio chatter on the way back. I thought about all
the work and frustration, the fun and camaraderie, and, the challenges we
need to face next season. I felt relief too that we could stop messing with
these birds and finally let them be wild. But mostly I was glad that after I
landed for the last time I wouldn’t give a damn what the weather would do.
Date:
January 20,
2010 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
AND THE
WINNING BIDDER IS...
Location:
Citrus Co. FL
The
bidding on a spectacular piece of quilted wall art by award winning quilter
and designer, Roberta Williams, opened early last fall. The auction,
conducted by 'silent bid', ran through until 5:00pm EST last evening.
The
highest bidder and therefore the winner of Roberta's lovely work of art –
with a terrific bid of $5,050, was Gary Jones of New Glarus, WI.
Congratulations Gary!! and thank you so much for your very generous bid
and support of OM and Whooping cranes.
Date:
January 20,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 89 - THE END
Location:
Citrus Co. FL
At 89 days, the 2009 migration which launched October 17th from the Necedah
National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin, will go on record as the second
longest in the project's nine year history, beating out the 2008 migration
by one day. Although taking one day longer, we actually finished three days
sooner as the last migration day in '08 was January 23rd.
As we wind up
things at this end, we will continue to post news about the Class of 2009 -
for instance about their health checks etc - and also share some photos and
video.
These photos taken at yesterday's flyover at Dunnellon were kindly
sent to us by Fred Wasti.
Top Left: Richard leads the 10 birds
over the watching crowd.
Top Right: A great shot of just the young Whooping cranes.
Bottom Right: As lead pilot Richard turned to head to the
Halpata-Tastanaki Preserve, the stopover pensite, the birds formed a
gorgeous straight line off his wing.
Click to view video of the Arrival Event on Ocala.com
photographed and produced by Bruce Ackerman
.
Date:
January 20,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject
SAFE,
SUCCESSFUL, SAYONARA
Location:
Citrus Co. FL
Safe - At 10:05am, 901*, 903, 904*, 905*, 907*, 913, 919, 924, 927, and 929
were all on the ground and OM's trikes turned for the return flight to their
point of departure at the Dunnellon-Marion County Airport. By the time you
are reading this, the birds should be safely ensconced in their large
wintering pen set five miles out in the marsh in a closed area of the
Chassahowitzka NWR.
Successful - A great wall of emotion hit when I heard Walter's
voice on my cell phone advising the last remaining birds in the Class of
2009 were on the ground and already checking out their winter residence. It
is always a bittersweet parting. On the one hand it means we have to say
goodbye to a group of birds that we've all come to know well, but on the
other, it also means that before long they will be starting their new life
as truly wild, migrating Whooping cranes, which in turn signals the
successful completion of our annual mission.
Sayonara - The
Class of 2009 are not the only ones we will be saying goodbye to. The
balance of today, and most if not all of tomorrow, will be taken up with all
of us - OM's migration crew - packing, organizing, and shuffling our
belongings from one vehicle to another (no small job) in preparation for
relocating the vehicles and and we occupants to our respective locales.
After that, we will all be saying Sayonara to one another at our traditional
End of Migration dinner, where some big grins and hard farewell hugs will be
exchanged, likely along with a few inevitable tears.
Date:
January 20,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FINAL LEG
UNDERWAY
Location:
Marion Co. FL
At approximately 9:15am, OM's trikes and the last half of the Class of 2009
launched. They are enroute to their wintering ground on the Chassahowitzka
National Wildlife Refuge, a flight of 26 miles that with today's condtions
the pilots estimate will take about 40 minutes.
Date:
January 20,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 89 AN UNKNOWN
Location:
Marion Co. FL
Not exactly what you might think Florida weather would be here this morning.
We woke to a temperature just above freezing. With the temperature and the
dew point once again almost identical, we have more fog to wait out, and a
low ceiling to contend with.
Surface winds are out of the southeast and
negligible but they should swing around to come out of the northeast as the
morning progresses - favorable for a flight to the Chassahowitzka National
Wildlife Refuge with the last ten young Whooping cranes in the Class of
2009. This last leg is just 26 air miles, and even with favorable winds, the
weather conditions approaching the coastline can often provide a bumpy ride.
It could easily be as late as 9:00am before we know one way or the other
whether today will be the final day of the 2009 migration.
Date:
January 19,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FLYOVER
ACCOMPLISHED!!
Location:
Marion Co. FL
Distance:
60 miles
(Gilchrist County to Marion County, FL)
Total Miles
1259
It was a super day, a super flyover - lead pilot Richard van Heuvelen even
led the Class of 2009 in a circle over the airfield - and a super turnout;
more than 700 people.
The sun finally came out and gave us beautiful blue
skies to act as a backdrop for the glistening white cranes as they glided
overhead. The crew all assembled in front of the waiting crowd to say a few
words and to thank everyone there as well as OM's terrific sponsors for
helping us to help Whooping cranes. Special thanks and great appreciation
was expressed to Duke Energy, the sponsor of the CraneCam which has brought
so many people world-wide so much pleasure this year.
After a bite of lunch, the pilots and ground crew assembled to see if the
weather would co-operate long enough for us to fly the final leg to
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Joe was again wind dummy and
launched to test conditions. He found that we would have a +12mph headwind,
so the decision was made to call it a day and wait to try tomorrow morning.
We will be trying as soon after sunrise as possible, but it is likely
that the morning will bring conditions similar to what we experienced today
- that is, fog, and having to wait for it to burn off before determining if
a flight is possible.
We hope to give you a fuller report, and provide some photos, but that
will have to wait I'm afraid. Other duties scream for attention, and we
still have to collect and move vehicles from campsite to campsite. By the
time all is done I think there will be a whole crew of people ready for bed.
Date:
January 19,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
LAUNCHED
Location:
Marion Co. FL
The birds and trikes are in the air...launch was at 9:02 and it should be an
approximate two hour flight. We still have fog on the ground here at
Dunnellon, but it should have burnt off by the time the Class of 2009
arrives.
Date:
January 19,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ARRIVAL
FLYOVER??
Location:
Marion Co. FL
The crowd is gathering here at the Dunnellon-Marion County Airport hopeful
of seeing the remaining 10 young cranes in the Class of 2009 flyover with
OM's ultralights this morning. As of 8AMish the team is still waiting and
hoping the fog will clear.
If my laptop battery holds out I will try to
update again.
Date:
January 19,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 88
Location:
Marion Co. FL
Heather and I are in Marion County having driven down here after the flight
from Gilchrist yesterday. We spent some time at the Dunnellon-Marion County Airport
prepping all that could be done there in advance in anticipation of the
Arrival Flyover happening today.
There is very heavy fog this morning
across northeast Florida. On the ground it stretches from Gainesville to
Ocala. Despite manageable wind conditions, a very low ceiling combined with
only about 1/2 mile of visibility is likely to delay any launch of the
cranes and planes.
Regardless, come join us at the Dunnellon Airport and cross your fingers with us that
today will be 'the' day. We expect to get reports via cell phone from the
ground crew on whether or not they are able to launch. If that happens, once
they are within range, we
will be able to pick up the pilots' chatter on the aviation radio.
8:30 to 8:45am should be plenty early enough to arrive, and earlybirds can
enjoy the coffee and breakfast foods being made available by the Friends of
Chassahowitzka. OM and others will have a booth set up, so please stop by
and visit us.
Because we have to be on the road by
5:45am in order to arrive in time to set up for today's hoped for event, this
posting may be the one and only entry to the Field Journal I
will be able to make until after the flyover event is over. Should time and
opportunity allow however, I will post what news I can as the morning
progresses. No promises.
Date:
January 18,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
LEAD
PILOT REPORT
Location:
Gilchrist Co. FL
Distance:
86 miles
(Jefferson Co. FL - Gilchrist Co. FL)
Total Miles
1199
Pessimism loomed in camp early this morning as we gazed upon the waving
flags lining the road along the campground. The 2000 foot stratus cloud deck
was blocking out the stars, yet dimly lit up by the ever present light
pollution. The wind was coming from the right direction, the concern being
how turbulent the air would be.
Our trikes had weathered the copious rains
and wind over the weekend with the wings lowered to the ground and tied
down. As we re-assembled our trikes, the wind seemed to be settling down a
bit, raising our hopes for a flight.
Richard was aloft first and radioed down that the air was smooth at 500
feet. The rest of us were soon airborne and I found the air a bit rough
below 400 feet but not too bad, so we quickly made the decision to attempt a
launch.
The pen is out in the middle of a large cow pasture along a rutted farm
road, thus requiring an air pickup. I came in from the south, gave Erin and
Geoff the cue to open the doors and watched as the 10 remaining cranes
busted out of the pen and began climbing up to my altitude. I quickly joined
up with them and began a turn back to the south as stragglers began a turn
back to the pen. I increased my turn to pick up two stragglers and soon had
the group on the wing and on course.
The 2000 foot cloud deck kept the temperatures up over night by not
allowing radiational cooling to take place. Radiational cooling under clear
skies at night creates a low level inversion, or cold pool at the surface.
This cold pool is 'decoupled' from the winds higher aloft, and allows us to
fly in the very calm air it usually creates. This morning we did not have
this decoupling taking place and the air was a bit turbulent under the low
cloud deck. With only 10 birds on the wing, we were able to continue on and
I finally found a little smoother air above 700 feet.
As we flew on, filtered sunlight could be seen ahead – we had a large
break in the stratus deck and would soon be out in sunshine. As I got to the
edge of the stratus deck, I could see the sky ahead of me littered with
small, scattered cumulus clouds, their bases at about 2000 feet. When I got
out into the 'hole' of clear sky, the thermals could be felt rising up from
below, where the earth was being heated by the sun's rays. Clear of the
stratus deck, I began a climb to get above the small clouds and building
thermals.
Once above 2200 feet, the air became absolutely calm and I sat back and
enjoyed the view of the cranes lit up in the sunshine with a dark grey
stratus deck for a backdrop. It was a beautiful sight and the warm air - in
comparison to previous flights – allowed a thin pair of gloves making it
easier to take many pictures of this incredible sight.
Our ground speed was about 50mph making this 80 mile flight relatively
short. The hole in the sky that allowed us to climb to 2500 feet was narrow,
and as we approached our destination I was forced to descend below the bases
of the clouds that marked the south edge of this hole.
Pulling the bar in and reducing the throttle a bit, we found ourselves
once again in the turbulent air. Richard had gone ahead to pick out the
field to land in. I began to circle, trying to coax the birds down who were
following well but still higher than me, and enjoying the thermals that were
giving them free lift. Joe landed on the field below us and had his
vocalizer turned up to help coax the birds down. I kept circling the field
hoping to lure them down but they must have caught some good thermal lift
and began to spiral upwards.
We had too many trikes causing a distraction in the sky so I elected to
land with Joe and watch while Richard and Brooke tried to round up the
spiraling cranes who seemed determined to keep flying. At one point they
actually disappeared from view as they went up into a cloud, but then
thankfully reappeared again. This went on for 20 minutes, but eventually
Brooke and Richard got them convinced to land next to Joe and I.
We led the cranes off into a hiding place, leaving Brooke to watch over
them while they enjoyed a shallow pool from the recent rains. Brian arrived
with the pen trailer and the four of us made quick work of getting the pen
setup. While Richard and Brian drove off to hide the van, Joe and I donned
our costumes and walked over to the next field where Brooke and the cranes
were relaxing by the water. The cranes went airborne for a short time as we
walked them back to the pen, and I had visions of having to get aloft to
chase them down in the thermally air. But they landed after a few minutes,
and were soon in the pen.
Tomorrow is looking promising for us to make it to the flyover at the
Dunnellon airport. High pressure just off Florida’s west coast will bring us
light northwest winds at crane altitude and it should be calm on the ground.
Hope to see you there!!
Date:
January 18,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
THIRD TO
LAST FLIGHT ACCOMPLISHED
Location:
On The Road
Moments before 10:30 this morning, the Class of 2009 landed in Gilchrist
County, FL - but not without a lot of coaxing. They wanted to keep flying.
As the pilots were trying to get them to descend, apparently they caught a
thermal and soared back up. Richard and Brooke worked them around for almost
20 minutes before successfully 'talking' them on to the ground.
Chris
Gullikson, today's lead pilot, should have his update for us to post here
before the afternoon is out. Check back for the details of what sounded to
me like quite a flight.
ARRIVAL FLYOVER EVENT INFORMATION
We believe we will have favorable conditions for a flight tomorrow and if
that holds true, it means the Arrival Flyover Event will take place, as it
has in years past, at the Dunnellon-Marion County Airport.
The airport is located off SW 147th Court, which is off Hwy 484, just
outside of the town of Dunnellon.
Click here for
map. You might want to use MapQuest or Google Earth for driving
directions. Sunrise tomorrow will be at 7:32am and given good flying
weather, the cranes and planes should be in the air shortly thereafter. It
is a 60 mile flight (approx. 1.5 hrs) so viewers will want to be in place by
around 8:30 to 8:45am.
Note to CraneCam Viewers: There will be no broadcast from the
pensite in Gilchrist County this afternoon. The CraneCam is enroute to the
Dunnellon-Marion County Airport to be set up for what we hope will be the
second Arrival Flyover Event of the 2009 migration. Assuming flying weather
and that all equipment is working as it should, the broadcast of the
flight in the morning will be via the TrikeCam; of the flyover event, via
the CraneCam; and, of the Arrival Flyover, via the handheld camera.
Date:
January 18,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 87 AND WE'RE IN THE AIR
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
The weather projections we made at late yesterday afternoon rang relatively
true this morning. The temperature was a bit warmer than forecast, but the
winds, both on the surface and aloft, were about what was expected.
We had
manageable and favorable NW winds aloft, but were worried a low ceiling
would be the deal breaker. The team was all in place by sunrise, and were
waiting to see if the ceiling would lift before the earth warmed up and
created the trashy air that is the nemesis of the cranes and planes.
Just after 8:15am, after a couple of test trikes went up to test
conditions, we had lift off. The Class of 2009 is on its way to Gilchrist
County, FL
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JEFFERSON CO. FL
An enterprising Monticello businessman named John H. Perkins built the
"Perkins Block" in 1890, setting up various businesses on the building's
first floor. The second floor included a large foyer and an opera house with
unparalleled acoustics and the largest stage in the region. Performances
included both professional touring groups, and local productions. Shortly
after the turn-of-the-century, however, the railroads were re-routed,
bypassing Monticello, and the wealthy patrons who had once wintered in South
Georgia and North Florida sought other destinations.
The opera house faced financial disaster, live performances were
discontinued, the building abandoned, and it soon fell into disrepair. In
1972 the Monticello Opera Company was formed by a handful of people who had
the vision of saving the opera house from the wrecker's ball. This
organization also has provided opportunities for young performers and
maintenance and restoration of this unique facility are ongoing.
Date:
January 17,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
The forecast is calling for 40F by sunrise and 4mph surface winds out of the
NW. Aloft, the winds at the back of the system that was over us and is now
moving off to the east are still projected to be strong. Assuming the winds
aloft are manageable, there is still the potential for the ceiling to be too
low to allow us to fly.
Tomorrow will likely be one of those days that we
won't know whether or not a flight is possible until the very last second
when we put a test trike up to check conditions for ourselves.
Date:
January 17,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
AN
INTERESTING READ
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
Supporter Lou Anderson emailed to tell us about an article that recently
appeared in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Argus Leader. The subject matter
was poaching, but it also talks about the shooting of 217 in Indiana and
other similar events. For an interesting read
click here.
Date:
January 17,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PHOTOS
FROM TODAY'S PEN CHECK
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
Thanks to Erin for snapping these photos in between her morning pen check
duties.
Top Left:
905 gazes out of the pen while 903 heads behind the divider. That's
913 by the water pan.
Top Right:
907 is the bird in from of the still very cinnamon 927.
Bottom Left:
904 is very white compared to 907 (in the middle) and 919 in the
foreground.
Bottom Right:
929 was 'dancing' this morning, and it looks like 903 (right) was
being tempted to join in.
Date:
January 17,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION DAY 86 = DOWN DAY #4
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
At 4am the temperature was already in the high 50's heading toward today's
forecast high of 65F. While the rain hitting the motorhome's roof had
morphed from rat-a- tat to plink-a-plink, it still called for an umbrella to
make the trip to the washroom. Any question in my mind about the state of
the wind for today was answered when it blew my umbrella inside out.
While
my umbrella told the tale on the surface, the laptop held the answer to what
was going on aloft. The storm system was indeed still hanging above us with
the winds aloft registering +40mph. Another going nowhere day. Sigh.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JEFFERSON CO. FL
Beau Turner, son of Ted Turner of CNN fame, "is fighting for a world where
children have every opportunity to touch the face and hear the voice of
Mother Nature." The Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center is located south
of Tallahassee on 160 acres leased to the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission. The Center is used to create a stewardship ethic
among youth by offering programs to develop outdoor skills and instill an
appreciation for the environment and wildlife.
Date:
January 16,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
If you've been looking at or listening to any weather stations today, you
will have already surmised that we aren't holding out much if any hope for a
flight tomorrow.
The system that's over us is gradually moving through,
but not fast enough to take with it more rain, 20mph southwest surface
winds, and 40 to 50mph winds aloft.
Date:
January 16,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
COLOR US
RED
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
The cranes and planes have now flown 1,113 of the 1,285 mile journey from
Wisconsin to Florida. With just 172 more miles left leading the Class of
2009 south, that's 86% of this migration's job done.
Perhaps it was those
three consecutive flight days with three consecutive skips that did it, but
we've managed to outstrip MileMaker sponsorships. Subtracting the 1,072
miles that have been sponsored so far from the 1,113 miles already flown
leaves us 41 miles 'in the red' - and that's only as far as Jefferson
County. We still have three to four more flights to go.
Craniac and OM supporter, Denice Steinmann said she is anxious to see us
finish the 2009 Migration 'in the black' by having MileMaker fully
sponsored. To help this happen she has issued a huge challenge.
Between now and the conclusion of the migration, Denice will match ALL
MileMaker sponsorships - be they for 1/4, 1/2, or 1 mile - UP TO 100
MILES!
So many of you have already become MileMaker sponsors for which we are so
very grateful. We hope that many of the new folks, who for the first time
this year have come to follow our work and the remarkable saga of this
Whooping crane reintroduction effort, will help us take advantage of
Denice's generosity.
NOT ALREADY A MILEMAKER SPONSOR?.... PLEASE
CLICK HERE AND CHANGE OUR COLOR FROM RED TO BLACK.
Date:
January 16,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
HAPPY
RETIREMENT WISHES
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
On New Years Eve 2000 my daughter was only 15 months old. The experimental
migration with Sandhill had been completed some 60 days earlier, and we were
still waiting for the permits that would allow us to begin a Whooping crane
reintroduction. Ten years later there are 85 birds in the Eastern Migratory
Population and the migration was on its 72nd day with 583 miles yet to go.
In the interim there have been many changes. There have been lots of
successes - and a few failures. New people have joined us and some old
friends have left. As the manager of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in
Wisconsin, Larry Wargowsky, is one of those who were here from the
beginning, or at least he was until this past December 31st. That is when
Larry retired from Federal service. He gave up the excitement of
administration, the challenge of politics, and the satisfaction of
management, for the tedium of hunting and fishing and sitting on his back
deck with a cold one.
Not only was Larry a well liked manager in charge of 44,000 acres of
pristine habitat, he was also an integral part of the Whooping Crane Eastern
Partnership. He served on the Project Direction Team and helped initiate and
organize the Necedah Crane Festival.
In year one there were only about five of us spending the summer at the
annex complex on the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. These days there are
trackers and DAR people as well as interns for other projects, and the
parking lot is full to capacity. Larry and his team have accommodated all of
our needs. They have built pens, created runways, and managed the water
systems.
Throughout it all, Larry has been a good friend to Operation Migration
and he will be missed as the refuge manager and our primary contact person.
Fortunately he doesn’t live far away, so between fishing trips we hope to
join him occasionally on his back deck.
We wish you a happy retirement Larry, and the entire OM team looks
forward to seeing you again come summer. (We’ll bring the cold ones.)
Date:
January 16,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 85 = DOWN DAY #3
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
It was in the low 50's around 4AM and headed for a high in the mid 60's
later today. The overnight rain has paused, but the approaching low pressure
system over the gulf continues to move toward us. As it approaches gusty
southeast winds of ~20mph and thunderstorms with potential heavy rainfall
are forecast.
Jefferson County is under a flash flood watch from 7:00am through to this
evening. Needless to say, we won't be flying today.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JEFFERSON CO. FL
The Wacissa River is a large, spring-fed stream located in south-central
Jefferson County. Its headwaters are located about a mile south of the town
of Wacissa, where the river emerges crystal clear from a group of large
limestone springs. From its headsprings, the river flows approximately 12
miles south through a broad cypress swamp before breaking into numerous
braided channels rejoining the Aucilla River a few miles further south. The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection has declared it an
Outstanding Florida Waterway.
Date:
January 15,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
The high pressure system that allowed us to fly west-southwest on Wednesday
continues to drift off to the northeast while low pressure builds in the
western gulf of Mexico. The winds have backed to the east at the surface and
southeast aloft, creating what would be a headwind for our long flight to
Gilchrist County. As the low pulls closer to Florida, southerly winds will
increase and chances of rain will go way up.
A cold front is expected to
come through sometime on Sunday, followed by favorable northwest winds on
Monday. It will be a waiting game to see if the winds prove favorable on
Monday, but given the current forecast, it certainly looks like we will not
be migrating before then.
Date:
January 15,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
OM
FEATURED
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
Each year, the organization, Environment for the Americas (EFTA), chooses
a theme, develops the materials, and does the promotion for International
Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). For 2010 the theme will be Power of Partnership
as it relates to the conservation of migratory birds.
OM submitted a proposal to EFTA to have the Whooping crane included as
one of the 20 featured species, noting that this year's theme for IMBD
echoed the motto of the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership. The selection
committee approved our submission, and the Whooping crane will be featured
on the 2010 IMBD poster, t-shirt, and on a panel in the educational booklet
being printed for distribution throughout North and Latin America and the
Caribbean.
Below is a slightly reduced and edited version of EFTA's latest promotion
for IMBD, and in it they announced that Operation Migration is the featured
partner for the month of January. This link will take you to the EFTA
website and the full webpage.
www.birdday.org
Date:
January 15,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
WHICH IS
THE MONSTER?
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
We've created a monster… and its name is “CraneCam” – over the past 14 weeks
since departing from the Necedah NWR in central Wisconsin, I’ve gotten to
know my monster pretty well. I’ve spent numerous hours cajoling him to power
up and play nice… and many more hours sitting beside him with my head stuck
inside his belly (where his electronic components are stored), tapping his
mouse to direct the Pan, Tilt and Zoom that his camera is capable of, so
that for the first time ever, you could observe a southward migration.
On
those rare days over the past eighty-four when we were blessed with suitable
flying weather and were allowed to relocate from one migration stopover to
another, I’ve wrestled with him to pack him up and get him ready to hit the
road – and then deployed my monster at the new location a few miles further
south.
All things considered, I feel I have a pretty good relationship with
CraneCam and I hope to continue our rapport but just as humans have their
limitations, so too does my monster. His Pan speed isn’t the quickest and
it’s often hard to keep pace with the ultralights and the young cranes that
follow them. CraneCam’s Zoom capabilities are pretty impressive but the Tilt
is limited by the metal housing which holds his camera eye and protects it
from the elements.
Such was the case at the arrival event on January 13th when I attempted
to catch the 10 St. Marks cranes as they flew over the crowd of 500 or so.
Once Brooke with his trusting young cranes came into view I attempted to
Tilt and Zoom in on them but quickly realized they were just too high in the
sky for my monster to see with his camera eye, so I announced into his
microphone that we would not be able to show you the stars of the show.
Instead I thought the next best view would be to leave it directed on the
crowd who had stood in the cold for more than 2 hours waiting for these rare
snowbirds to arrive, while I snapped still images to post later that day.
Almost immediately, both Liz and I began receiving emails and text
messages from frustrated online viewers. “Point the camera!” – “I can’t see
the birds” – “would be nice if we could see the cranes!” And others that
were too strongly worded to include here.
We agree – it would have been best if we could have shown you the stars
of the show – the 10 juvenile Whooping cranes – but we simply could not. But
perhaps the monster isn’t the camera itself, rather it is the expectation
that the camera has created.
He is currently parked in the space beside my camper because until now we
haven’t been able to get him into the field where the second group of 10
cranes are patiently waiting for weather to improve so that they can
continue on to their new winter home at the Chassahowitzka NWR in Citrus
County, FL. We will be trying again later today to deploy the CraneCam – but
no promises.
As soon as we get suitable migrating conditions, I will, however shoot
and broadcast using a handheld camera. Please be patient and stay tuned for
the next live broadcast.
Date:
January 15,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 84 = DOWN DAY #2
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
No change this morning from what was projected for us yesterday weather and
wind-wise - crosswind and headwind. We will spend Migration Day 84 on the
ground here in Jefferson County.
With the finish line almost in sight, you
can appreciate that we are chafing at the bit to get going. On Migration Day
84 in 2008 we were sitting right where we are now. The difference is that
last year our second down day in Jefferson was four days later - January
19th.
To tie or better the 88 day length of the '08 migration we would have to
finish with a flight to Chassahowitzka no later than Tuesday. We can say
with certainty that is not going to happen based on the forecast of
precipitation tomorrow. In other words, the '09 migration is soon to become
the second longest in project history.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JEFFERSON CO. FL
In the early spring, attractive blooming trees once beautified the fencerows
along the country roads and lanes of Jefferson County. Clusters of whitish,
rose-throated flowers and broad, heart-shaped dark green leaves identified
them as tung trees, (Aleurites Fordii)
Tung, grown commercially in it's native China for 40 centuries, is prized
for the oil that is extracted from its nut. All parts of the tung tree are
poisonous, with the nut especially toxic. Tung oil was once considered, "the
world's finest quick-drying paint oil." It was introduced in the Jefferson
County area in 1906, and by the late 1950's, there were over 12,000 acres of
tung planted in the county, making it the center of Florida production. All
of the tung orchards in Jefferson County have now been abandoned, and most
plantings have been bulldozed with the land being used for other crops,
pasture or timber. Only an occasional tree that escaped the bulldozer shows
its spring ornamental bloom.
Date:
January 14,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
It's hard to come down from the high of safely delivering the first ten of
the Class of 2009 to their wintering grounds. But if there was anything
destined to bring us down quickly it was the wind conditions today, and also
what is in store for us tomorrow. Both on the surface and aloft the winds
are unfavorable, and their differing directions could produce some wind
sheer.
It is doubtful that between now and the morning there will be a
significant enough change in what is projected for us to be able to fly, but
we'll wait and see what tomorrow looks like before we throw in the towel.
Date:
January 14,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Brooke Pennypacker
Subject:
LEAD
PILOT REPORT - from flight January 13/10
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
Distance:
28 miles
(Jefferson Co. FL - Wakulla Co. FL)
Total Miles
1113
There are days in one’s life that are so filled with significance and
emotion that they simply defy the ability of mere words to describe or
express. Yesterday, for me, was such a day. But in a world where, as the
poet said, one’s reach must exceed his grasp, I will try.
The excited
anticipation of starting began on a morning at the end of last March when
seven St Mark’s chicks took to the air, caught their first thermal, and
after soaring high above the pen in wider and wider circles, suddenly headed
north on their first return migration to Wisconsin.
Long days of hard work, worry, and hope by so many lay between then and
now. So it was with a special excitement pulsing through the crew that we
readied ourselves for yesterday’s flight. We would fly 10 of this year’s 20
chicks to St Marks NWR where a whole new world awaited them.
After Monday’s aborted attempt due to weather and a fly over crowd
waiting at St Marks, the morning blessed us with favorable conditions. When
Erin and Geoff pulled open the pen doors as they had skillfully done all
migration, the birds charged out and were instantly airborne.
Then, as expected, the ten had a collective thought balloon hanging just
above them that said, “Hey, something ain’t right here! Where is everybody?”
as their other ten flockmates called out from the second pen below. So
around we went in an indecisive, unsure, non-committed, aerial dance of now
you see them, now you don’t.
We would no sooner collect as a unit and start on course when one, then
two, and then the rest would break and head back for the pen. But the trike
is a persuasive tool. Months of intensive training rise to the occasion at
such times, and after a period of forever, we were collected up on course to
St Marks with only the occasional change of heart, subsequent round up and
resumption on course.
A tailwind – I had forgotten what it was and had to look it up - pushed
us nearly towards the waiting crowd at St Marks. Soon we were circling above
them as car windshields, cameras, and smiles flashed from below. Then it was
off to the pensite where Scott Tidmous from Disney's Animal Kingdom and Barb
Clauss from Patuxent waited to call the birds down to their new winter home.
(Photo by Bernie Campoli)
As we made our descent through the trashy air above the marsh, the birds'
flight behavior began to change; each bird staring down in awe and
anticipation at all that water and marsh and unknown, and a special
excitement rippled through them. Their heads moved around in rapid jerks,
wing beats became irregular and unsure seemingly in an attempt to understand
just what new world they were about to enter. Soon into their vision
appeared the pen and the two white costumed figures of Scott and Barb, their
arms flapping up and down and the loud haler coaxing, almost pleading for a
landing. Then, with a low pass over the pen 910 landed, followed shortly by
the others as I climbed in tight spirals above.
The scene was exceptionally emotional and bittersweet for me because
Beverly Paulan was not down there to experience it. For three and a half
years she had worked tirelessly to these rare moments of triumphs a reality
and spent more time with the birds than any of us. She was scheduled to
leave Monday to begin a new job as a pilot with Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, a long held dream of hers. She postponed her flight an
extra day so she could be in the pen calling down the birds on Monday in a
way bringing closure to 3 ½ years of constant effort.
But Monday’s weather decided it was not to be and she flew back north
thatafternoon. She had cared for the birds last year down here and
contributed greatly towards our success. She was so well attuned to the
birds in fact that she correctly predicted a week in advance the day they
would leave for migration north. She will be missed.
But it was also for me a homecoming because last year the refuge staff,
volunteers and neighbors embraced not just our birds, but Bev and I,
welcoming us into their families; a family we felt honored and privileged to
a part of.
So the day continued seeing old friends, and new ones, listening to the
beautiful voices of young school students singing us a thank you song, a
school Bev had done a presentation for last year, and more handshakes and
laughs and the good cheer of a successful effort.
Then, just before sundown we were back north at our staging area and
covering our trikes and fueling up in preparation for a hoped for departure
in the morning with the remaining ten birds. As the sun finally descended to
its place of rest and as I sat on the back step of the Fox cleaning the
ravages of a cow pie from the bottom of my boot, I reveled in the majesty of
the day.
It was one of true wonder. But indescribable.
Date:
January 14,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 83 = DOWN DAY #1
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
26F in Jefferson County this morning, with very light surface winds. The
villain in today's piece are the winds aloft, both in terms of strength and
direction. After considering the conditions at the pensite, and what was
forecast to be waiting at altitude, the decision to stand down was made at
7:10am.
Neither the short-range nor long-range forecasts are encouraging.
From appearances at the moment, it could conceivably be Monday at least
before we are able advance another leg of the migration.
Note... the CraneCam cannot be deployed at the Jefferson County
pensite location. This means there will be no viewing opportunities until a
departure is possible from this site.
Our primary handheld video camera 'threw a wheel' a few days ago so it
has been out of commission. We have a handheld camera that has now been
patched and pieced together, and assuming it stays operational, we will be
using it to broadcast the departure from Jefferson County.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
JEFFERSON CO. FL
Ernest I. "Boots" Thomas, Jr., one of the heroes of Iwo Jima, was raised in
Monticello and enlisted in the Marines during World War Two, reaching the
rank of Sergeant. On February 23, 1945 during the fierce battle to capture
Iwo Jima Island, Sgt. Thomas and five other Marines raised the U.S. flag
atop Mt. Suribachi. Later that day AP photographer Joe Rosenthal asked the
Marines to recreate the event so he could photograph it.
Thomas did not participate in this second staged flag raising and thus
doesn't appear in what is called "the most famous single photograph ever
taken." He was killed in action eight days later and the only tribute to the
heroism of Ernest I Thomas, Jr. is a monument erected in his honor in his
boyhood home of Monticello.
Date:
January 13,
2010 - Entry 6
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING - and FLYOVER INFO FOR JEFFERSON
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
We've gone from heavy frost and a temperature in the 20's this morning,
to 56F by 4pm this afternoon. It will drop again overnight, but the
weatherman is promising us temperatures that will continue to climb.
It
appears as if by flight time tomorrow we could possibly have headwinds
aloft. Our flight path to stopover #24 in Madison County, FL is almost due
east of where we are in Jefferson County. It is only a short 30 mile leg
however, so if the headwind isn't too strong, we might be able to do it.
Chris G is giving us a 25% chance of flying.
Unfortunately, due to the
location of the pensite and surrounding terrain, and the scarcity of roads
and pullovers under the flight path within an appropriate viewing distance,
there will be no departure flyover from Jefferson County. Should we be lucky
enough to fly in the morning, attempting to hit the mark for a flyover would
add a complication to the already tough conditions anticipated.
Date:
January 13,
2010 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MADE IT!!
Location:
St. Marks, FL
The Arrival Party is in full swing!! Flyover accomplished, with even a
circle around by Brooke and the 10 Whoopers, and the brids are now on the
ground at the St. Marks "Hilton" - the fabulous pensite on the refuge and
the wintering ground for first half of the Class of 2009.
Date:
January 13,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
8:10AM
UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
We have a launch. Moments ago, the 10 birds destined for the St. Marks NWR
took to the air behind today's lead pilot (we think Brooke). Estimated
flight time for the 26 mile leg in todays wind conditions is 32 minuntes.
Date:
January 13,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
7:50AM
UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
The trikes are warming up despite there now being a bit of a breeze. Richard
is launching - he is 'wind test dummy' again this morning. We hope to hear
that they are able to launch very, very shortly.
Date:
January 13,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
7:25AM
UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
The pilots still think a flight today is doable. They are waiting for
sunrise and we are waiting to see if it will be a test trike situation again
this morning. The team is almost in place, and we should have more news
around 7:50 to 8:00am.
Date:
January 13,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FORECAST
- 6:40AM EST
Location:
St. Marks, FL
24F in Jefferson County this morning, with light NW surface winds. In
Wakulla County, today's destination, it is slightly warmer (27F). Here, the
light surface winds are out of the NE.
The winds at altitude appear to have lost some strength and have a more
northerly component than yesterday. Once again, the pilots think a flight
today may be doable - so sometime shortly after sunrise (7:33am EST) they
will give it a try.
Watch the Field Journal, we will again try to post updates of news "as it
happens" this morning. KEEP HITTING REFRESH so that the new updates will
come up for you as we post.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 8
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
St. Marks, FL
The forecast and projections for tomorrow look very similar to what we saw
for today - - only better. We will be trying for the second morning to lead
the ten birds destined to winter at the St. Marks NWR from Jefferson County.
We hope those of you who weren't able to make the Arrival Flyover Event
this morning will be able turn out tomorrow. We also hope that those of you
who did come out today will be able to return to help celebrate the arrival
of the Class of 2009 here.
Once again, here is the flyover information -
The location of the St. Marks Arrival Flyover event is in the town of St.
Marks at the San Marcos de Apalache Park. Viewers will want to be on site by
~7:45am to 8:00am to get parked and get in place.
Follow Hwy 363/Port Leon Drive into St. Marks. At the 'T', turn right
onto Riverside Drive/Old Fort Road. On your left will be the entrance to the
parking area for the viewing site. Be sure to stop by OM's booth (beside the
flatbed stage) to say hello and also check our our merchandise. You'll want
a souvenir!!
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 7
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
FLIGHT
FROM GEORGIA TO FLORIDA - LEAD PILOT REPORT
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
There are a lot of things that don’t work well in the cold, including me.
Wings can fly better in the dense air but they can also frost up easily
becoming a hazard. Oil is too thick to lubricate, cords too stiff to bend,
and goggles fog up. Even the glue on Velcro won’t hold when the temperature
drops below freezing. Yesterday morning it was 17F degress at 6am as we
waited for the sun to break the horizon before we dared push the aircraft
out of the hangar.
The relative humidity was 57% so the air was quite dry.
At least that’s what I reasoned as I pushed my aircraft out, fired up the
engine, and left three tire tracks in the frost on the runway before any
could form on the wing.
The first thing we all do after getting airborne on cold mornings is to
reduce the speed of the aircraft to see how slowly it will fly. It only
takes a thin layer of frost to destroy all the lift it was engineered to
produce. The extra speed needed to keep us aloft makes the aircraft too fast
for the birds, who never seem to accumulate frost. Maybe we should cover our
wings in feathers.
As we taxied into position, the MP3 player that drives the vocalizer
would not turn on despite the pre-take off check. With the birds anxious to
go and the other pilots in position, there was no time to fool with cold
batteries, so off we went without the encouragement of the bird-call that we
normally broadcast from the lead trike.
Excited about flying, the birds didn’t seem to notice as we circled to
let the stragglers catch up. We circled again a mile or so out which
happened to be close to the fly over site. Liz, Linda, and a host of viewers
had a good view of the birds as the gap closed and they again formed on the
wing.
Once the birds settled into the business of migrating I took a moment to
check the MP3 player. Sticky back Velcro secures it to the instrument panel,
but the glue failed in the extreme cold. The little electronic unit swung
for a moment on the end of the cord before it pulled away from the jack and
disappeared over the side. That solved the problem of trying to change
batteries with numb fingers while flying the aircraft and leading birds. It
also eliminated an important tool we use to keep the birds following.
A couple of times they veered off and I could have used the vocalizer to
encourage them back, but with a little maneuvering they managed to re-form.
In past years many of the birds would break off and persuade others to
join them. In fact number 827 developed a habit of leaving the flock within
minutes of the start of every flight. He would fall behind knowing that one
of us would give chase and he would have the benefit of an aircraft all to
himself for the remainder of the trip.
On one difficult departure from Hardin County, TN last year Richard was
struggling to get the bird on the wing. He was in low level turbulence
trying to persuade them to climb. Number 827 broke away and headed back to
the pen. I intercepted and picked him up and the two of us climbed into
smooth air at a higher altitude. Not wanting to get too far ahead we turned
back and flew against a strong headwind. Our speed over the ground slowed to
17 miles per hour but 827 stayed only six inches off the wing tip riding on
the wake. He hung there without an ounce of effort as we climbed and turned
and watched Richard and the rest of his flock struggle in the rough air for
the next half hour.
This year however the birds tend to stick together and most often they
all follow the lead aircraft for the duration of the flight. This could be
the result of the perfect weather we had in August that allowed us to fly on
19 consecutive days, or it might have to do with group dynamics. In a flock
of 20 birds there is safety in numbers, and maybe even a little mob
psychology. One rebellious bird wouldn’t have much influence on a flock as
large as 20. So maybe it’s the large number of birds that keeps it together.
Whatever the reason, they seemed content to stay with me despite the loss
of the MP3 player, and we climbed slowly to 3000 feet. Our destination was
only 43 miles away. We could have gone farther, but it is the last stop
before St Marks and it is the staging area where we set up two pens and
divide the flock in order to lead ten to St Marks and carry on to
Chassahowitzka with the others.
So despite the smooth air, light tailwind, and all the altitude, we began
to descend. The birds however didn’t like to give up so easily and I had to
go back up to get them. They would follow, but only if we came down slowly.
Dropping at 100 feet per minute it can take half an hour to lose 3000 feet.
During that time we drifted to the south east a few miles. We had to fly
against a head wind to make our way back and they began to break.
That is when I could have used the vocalizer. Brooke landed to help call
them down but he was too far way for them to hear the crane call from the
ground. Chris was flying behind me with a passenger in the back seat. On
this flight one of our Craniacs became the first person to join us as an
observer.
I asked him to move in with his vocalizer blaring to help move the birds
back over the pen. They all formed on his wing for a few minutes giving his
passenger an experience of a lifetime. I circled around and picked them up
again and this time they had the idea. We landed next to the pen and all the
birds landed around us.
After leading them into the pen and tying down the aircraft we headed to
the camp. On the way I stopped to buy a new MP3 player and some better
Velcro.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 6
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
EASTERN
MIGRATORY POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
Where are they now? The following summarizes the known locations of the
majority of the Whooping cranes in the EMP s of January 9th. The location of
12 birds is unknown and seven are long term missing.
(* = female; D = Direct Autumn Release; NFT = non-functional transmitter)
This
photograph of 804, 814, 818*, 827, 830* when they stopped off at the
Chassahowitzka NWR pensite was taken by Sara Zimorski (ICF) on January 8,
2010.
This report has been compiled from data supplied by WCEP trackers
Richard Urbanek, Eva Szyszkoski, Sara Zimorski.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 81 = DOWN DAY #1
Location:
Jefferson Co. FL
The many people that turned out this cold morning for the Arrival Flyover
Event at San Marcos de Apalache Park in St. Marks went away disappointed
when we announced that we had to stand down for the day due to the high
winds. It was nonetheless great to have an opportunity to greet many old
friends and to meet many new ones.
One of the many items featured in OM's 'booth' at the event was our
Craniac Kids Whooping Crane Activity Booklet. We offer it free to teachers
and educators with just a small fee for shipping and handling. (Click here
to order.)
The Activity Booklet was recently the subject of an article by Marcia Davis,
writing for the Knoxville News Sentinel.
In the article, Davis quotes writer and artist
Vickie Henderson, author
and illustrator of Operation Migration's new Whooping Crane Activity Book as
saying, "Whooping cranes will need the assistance of generations to come -
future biologists, educators and diplomats." Click here to read the
full text of Marcia's article.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
8:00AM
UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
Sorry folks...sorrier than you know. We are down. Richard radioed down that
the wind has picked up too much, it is too turbulent, and there is a heavy
frost to deal with.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
7:55AM
UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
By 7:45am the wind had picked up at the pensite. With the exception of
Richard, the pilots still haven't unstaked the trikes or dropped the wing
frost covers, but were giving it some time. They are still hopeful that a
flight is doable, so Richard is launching to test conditions.
Keep
refreshing this page to see more quick updates as news comes in.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
7:20AM UPDATE
Location:
St. Marks, FL
Word just in. The ground crew is doing a check of the 10 juveniles that will
be left behind today; those destined for Chassahowitzka NWR. Once that is
done they will check the 10 St. Marks birds and ensure all is ready at that
pen for their launch. The pilots are enroute from camp to the pensite, so we
should know before too long what the frost situation is and have an update
on the potential departure.
Date:
January 12,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FORECAST
- 7:00am EST
Location:
St. Marks, FL
Chris G. reports that conditions look good. There is a wind aloft but it is
not expected to hold us back - nor give us any push Conditions on the
surface are calm, although there is frost and that could cause a bit of
delay of the take-off.
It looks like the St. Marks Arrival Event is almost certainly a go
today. More news as it comes in... and as I am able to connect and post
here.
Date:
January 11,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
St. Marks, FL
Well folks, I'm in St. Marks hopeful of an Arrival Flyover tomorrow morning.
Now before you get too excited, you need to pay attention to the word,
"hopeful".
The Jefferson County stopover site is east of St. Marks. While
our previous stopover in Decatur County, GA was almost straight north of
here, we had to jog the route to the east in order to miss Tallahassee air
space. This means the flight from Jefferson to Wakulla County is an unusual
one for us. It is more of a west-south-west track.
The surface winds tomorrow are projected to be out of the WNW, and at
altitude, mostly out of the west. It appears we could have either a headwind
and/or a crosswind situation. HOWEVER, we are 'hopeful'.
Because just like you, I won't know if we are flying tomorrow or not
until it happens (or not), we will be setting up at the flyover site in
"hopeful" anticipation. If you are wanting to see the flyover, you will have
to do the same - that is, get here by 8:00am ish and hope with me - and
maybe be disappointed with me too.
As soon as the pilots test the skies in the morning (~7:45) and make a
decision as to, go, or not go, we'll let everyone know as quickly as we can.
This is a very short migration leg, just 26 air miles, so once the decision
to go is made (AND assuming no crane rodeo) the cranes and planes could
be at the Arrival Flyover within the hour.
Date:
January 11,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Rendezvous times two
Location:
On The Road
It is great to welcome volunteers David and Linda Boyd back to the
migration. David drives our white diesel van which hauls our
aircraft/equipment trailer, and Linda helps me with outreach, assists at
flyovers, and the sale and distribution of OM Gear along the flyway.
Through the boredom of many Down Days, and despite being exposed to all
of our foibles, they smiled through it all. In Joe Duff’s words, they are,
“a great addition to the team, a calming influence with great humor, have
excellent culinary talents, and a do-anything attitude."
David and Linda drove from their home in Rhinelander, WI over the weekend
and arrived (with snow on the bumper of their vehicle I might add) late
yesterday. We’re tickled to have them back as part of the migration crew.
Volunteer Top Cover pilot, Jack Wrighter also rejoined the migration late
yesterday afternoon. Jack flew in from Tennessee, and hooked up with Don
Lounsbury who drove his and Paula’s motorhome up from central Florida. Don
flew with Jack as spotter this morning. We had a great time catching up on
all their news, and it is wonderful to have them back with us.
As a consequence of their return, we have a story to share with you.
Apparently Jack’s Cessna has literary skills previously unknown to us.
How I got involved with Operation Migration By Plane-Plane
My name is Plane-Plane and I am a Cessna 172 aircraft. More than 10,000
Cessna 172s just like me have been manufactured since my model introduction
in the 1950s. Most, including the very first one produced, are still flying
today.
I’m a bit younger, having rolled off the assembly line in 1960, and my
condition today is as good as it was more than four decades ago. The five
owners I have had over the years have been very good to me. I have had very
little exposure to the elements, having been fortunate to have lived inside
hangars ,most of my life.
Each year, my licensed mechanic gives me a thorough inspection inside and
out, searching for and correcting any little abnormality before it becomes a
problem. Most of my components, subject to wear, have been replaced with new
and improved ones, and I have also received many technological improvements
over the years.
My last two owners replaced all of my dated instruments with modern units,
giving me a near-airliner instrument capability. GPS (global positioning
system) units were not even envisioned in my early years, and now I have two
of them. My first radio was a clicker channel model, similar to the old TV
sets in the early 70s. Today’s radios are electronic with LED displays, and
are much more reliable. I have two of them; more back up. A few years back I
also was treated to a new paint job and a new interior. I didn’t think I
really needed it, but once again, all of my owners have been very good to
me.
I have been asked many times how I became known as Plane-Plane. My previous
owner, a female commercial pilot and flight instructor, was looking for an
airplane for personal use and to teach her son how to fly. After spending
quite some time searching for the perfect airplane, she came across me, an
older but beautifully maintained 172.
She had her 5 year old granddaughter with her when she first looked at me.
The little girl ran up to me, gave me a big hug, and lovingly said
“Plane-Plane”. That pretty much sealed the deal and the name stuck.
After successfully teaching her son to fly (I helped of course), she
maintained me for several years as her personal “baby”. A new employment
opportunity for her resulted in much less flying time for me, and it was
decided that I needed a new owner who would give me more attention.
About that time, her neighbors and close friends, Jack and Judi Wrighter,
had both retired from the airline industry and were looking for a
‘retirement mission’ airplane. When they discovered that I was for sale,
there were no negotiations. A fair price was mentioned, accepted, and the
deal was done in one day. The only stipulation, was that I retain my name.
Thus, I am still Plane-Plane.
About a year later, my new owners, Jack and Judi, were at my hangar applying
another coat of wax (I think about the 20th, I lost count), when a gent
named Dave Mattingly walked up. He said he heard Jack and Judi were retired
and might be interested in a flying mission. Dave had just returned from
Wisconsin, where he met a group of people using ultralight aircraft to lead
endangered Whooping Cranes in order to teach them a migration route from
Wisconsin to Florida. The group, called Operation Migration, needed another
top cover airplane and crew to supplement its single team of Don and Paula
Lounsbury in their Cessna 182.
In 2005, the 5th migration year, Jack and Dave flew me up to check this
outfit out. We immediately fell right into rhythm with these wonderful
people and their work with endangered Whooping cranes. Along with Jack,
Judi, and several other volunteer spotters and pilots, I have participated
as relief to Don and Paula’s Cessna 182 in each migration since. And, it is
my intention to continue supporting this unique and amazing effort as long
as I have a willing pilot and spotters to keep me on course.
Date:
January 11,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
TOUCHDOWN
IN FLORIDA
Location:
On the Road
The Class of 2009 touched down in Florida this morning for what we hope
will be the first season of many. They are now housed in two separate travel
pens, divided as indicated in Entry 1 for today.
The scorecard reads -
Last year - Arrived in Jefferson County January 14th on Migration Day 79.
This year - Arrived in Jefferson County January 11th on Migration Day 80.
The two photos below were snapped
at this morning's departure.
And what about this great picture taken by Lou Kellenberger at this
morning's Decatur County departure flyover!
Check back later today (around 5pm) for our 'Predicting' entry when we
will give you our best guess as to what we think our chances are for a
flight in the morning - and making the Arrival Flyover at St. Marks.
The location of the St. Marks Arrival Flyover event is in the town of St.
Marks at the San Marcos de Apalache Park. Viewers will want to be on site by
~7:45am to 8:00am to get parked and get in place.
Follow Hwy 363/Port Leon Drive into St. Marks. At the 'T', turn right
onto Riverside Drive/Old Fort Road. On your left will be the entrance to the
parking area for the viewing site. Be sure to stop by OM's booth (beside the
flatbed stage) to say hello and also check our our merchandise. You'll want
a souvenir!!
Date:
January 11,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FLORIDA
BOUND!
Location:
On The Road
After three glorious. consecutive days of days of flying and skipping,
and then three more stuck on the ground, we finally shook loose this
morning.
The cranes and planes are in the air making their way from Georgia to our
first stopover location in Florida in Jefferson County behind today's lead
pilot, Joe Duff. Joe, who along with the rest of the team went home for the
Christmas break, enjoyed a three week visit with his family before rejoining
us on January 7th.
Joe gave those gathered at the Decatur departure flyover location a
simply terrific view with the bright sun sparkling off all 20 birds.
Today will be an even busier day than usual. The Jefferson County
stopover is our 'staging area'. It is the location where we set up both of
our travel pens and split the Class of 2009 into two groups; one destined
for wintering grounds on the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the
other on the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
Unless something untoward happened to change the plan, the division of
the Class of 2009 will be as follows:
To St. Marks: 906, 908*, 910, 911, 912, 914*, 915*, 918, 925*, and 926*.
To Chass: 901*, 903, 904*, 905*, 907*, 913,
919, 924, 927, and 929.
Among other factors, everything from gender to genetics, and from
socialization to amount of crating experienced is considered in arriving at
the division.
As I mentioned, today will be a very busy one for everyone, but we should
be able to manage further postings here later in the day.
Date:
January 10,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
We are hopeful of tomorrow being a fly day.
The departure flyover viewing location for Decatur County, GA is outside of
Climax, GA on Bell Dixon Road, just east of where it is intersected by Fewell Road. Click here for map.
Viewers will want to be in place by
sunrise (approximately 7:30am). Our ability to fly on any given day is
entirely weather dependent. So, it is important to remember that you
could make the trip for naught, if, in the morning, we find that weather and
flying conditions are such that we are unable to launch with the birds.
Date:
January 10,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ON
MIGRATION TOO LONG
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy made a name for himself with his one liners, “If you
- - -, you might be a redneck.” Taking a page from his book, here are 15
ways to tell that you’ve been on migration too long.
- If you spend your first waking moment listening for wind, you've been on
migration too long.
- If you yell ‘Yippee,” when you find a place to dump the RV’s holding
tanks, you've been on migration too long.
- If you’re unfazed that you have no more clean underwear, you've been on
migration too long.
- If you ask, “Where are we?” or, “Where were we? three times in one day,
you've been on migration too long.
- If you think a solid breakfast is a package of crackers from a pit stop
enroute to the next stopover, you've been on migration too long.
- If the propane runs out at 2:00am on a freezing cold night and you just
curl up tighter and pray the Propane Fairy will change the bottle, you've
been on migration too long.
- If the jeans you’ve been wearing for the past ten days start looking,
‘clean enough’, you've been on migration too long.
- If your idea of a staying up extra late is 9:00pm, you've been on
migration too long.
- If your only interest in vegetation it’s potential as a spot behind which
to seek ‘relief,' you've been on migration too long.
- If the highlight of your week is getting to use a real bathroom, you've
been on migration too long.
- If your pajamas, indoor, and outdoor clothes are all interchangeable,
you've been on migration too long.
- If your appetite instantly disappears at the mere thought of pizza, or
chilli, or beans, you've been on migration too long.
- If your hair dryer now only comes out to thaw the pipes from the RV’s
holding tanks, you’ve been on migration too long.
- If you call where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going,
‘Monticello,' you’ve been on migration too long.
- If five days between showers starts to seem not so bad, you definitely
have been on migration too long.
Date:
January 10, 2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Heather Ray
Subject:
Lily The Bear
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Just a note to let everyone that is attempting to access the CraneCam know that the technical issues are not with your computer, or even ours. The stream is working fine, however the issue is one of overwhelming traffic caused by a 3 year old Black bear named Lily.
Our partner Wildearth.tv launched a new cam late last week, which features Lily inside her den and the story was featured about an hour ago on the Today Show. The resulting traffic has caused the
WildEarth servers to crash and they are attempting to add additional servers as I type this.
Stand by and if you'd like to check out Lily in her den located in Ely, Minnesota, you may want to wait a little while and then visit
www.bear.org - Thanks for your patience
and we wish Lily all the best with the impending birth of her cub(s)!
Date:
January 10,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 79 = DOWN DAY #3
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
From last evening until noon today this area is under a hard freeze
warning and a wind chill advisory. While just half the strength of what is
blowing aloft, the 15mph northwest winds are giving us a wind chill
temperature of 11F. Not only will we not be flying, we will be trying to
stay inside our tin cans as much as possible this morning.
As the day wears on however, it is supposed to warm up to close to 40F
and the winds should start to drop. As the cold front moves off, we should
be seeing some potential flying weather moving in.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
DECATUR CO. GA
"Swine Time," the annual festival of the city of Climax, is held on the
first Saturday after Thanksgiving. This city of only 300 citizens may
attract 35,000 people to the festivities. A parade down Main Street kicks
off the event featuring contests including best dressed pig, corn shucking,
hog calling, chitterlings eating, pig racing, syrup making, baby crawling,
and the Great Greased Pig Chase. There also is a beauty contest for
different age groups, where the winners are crowned "Miss Swine Time" and
"Little Miss Swine Time." Not once is the swine flu mentioned.
Date:
January 09,
2010 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Looking at the weather models and projections for what tomorrow has in
store for us wasn't a happy experience.
It looked so bad in fact that Chris Gullikson, OM's personal weather
guru, wasn't even moved to give odds on our chance for a flight. While we
never give up hope until there is no hope left, I think we will all be
completely astonished if tomorrow turns into a fly day.
Date:
January 09,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
NORTH
AMERICAN WHOOPING CRANE CENSUS
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
The following charts show the numbers of Whooping
cranes in the wild and in captivity in North America as of January 5, 2010.
Wild Populations
Adult
Young
Total
Adult Pairs
Aransas/Wood Buffalo
244
20B
264A
72
Florida Non-Migratory
28
1
29
8
Eastern Migratory
85
20C
105
10
Total in the Wild
348
50
398
90
A The Aransas-Wood Buffalo population is currently
estimated at 264 birds. B 52 chicks hatched in Canada in 2009 but only 22 fledged.
21 completed the migration, but one chick may be missing. C The 20 juveniles in the EMP ultralight-led migration
program are added to the wild population after their release in Florida.
Captive Populations
Adult
YoungE
Total
Breeding Pairs
Patuxent WRC, Marylan
64
4
68
15
International Crane Foundation, WI
31
0
31
11
Devonian Wildl. Cons.Cent./Calgary
23
0
23
6
Species Survival Center, Louisiana
11
0
11
1
Calgary Zoo, Alberta
2
0
2
0
New Orleans Zoo, Louisiana
2
0
2
0
San Antonio Zoo, Texas
7
0
7
1
Homosassa Springs Wildl State Park
2
0
2
0
Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, Florida
2
0
2
0
Jacksonville Zoo, Florida
2
0
2
0
Milwaukee County Zoo, Wisconsin
2
0
2
0
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, NC
0
1
1
0
Total in Captivity
148
5
153
34
E The captive numbers do not reflect the 34 chicks hatched
in 2009 that entered reintroduction programs in Wisconsin.
TOTALS (Wild + Captive) 398 + 153 = 551
Date:
January 09,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOOD
BUFFALO-ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
On January 5th. Tom Stehn, Whooping crane coordinator at the Aransas
National Wildlife Refuge in Texas, conducted the fourth aerial census of the
2009-2010 season. Flying with Cessna 210 pilot Gary Ritchey of Air Transit
Solutions, Tom sighted 244 adults and 19 juveniles for a total of 263
Whooping cranes.
Stehn noted that this census found 19 more cranes than were present on the
December 10 flight when some birds were still migrating.
“One additional juvenile separated from its parents was sighted near
Medford, Oklahoma December 14-25 bringing the current estimated flock size
to 264,” Stehn said. “In addition, the South Sundown Island chick known to
be at Aransas was not found on this last flight, so one chick can be added
to the peak flock size for the 2009-2010 winter, bringing the total to 265
Whooping cranes. Tom said it was not know if the entire South Sundown Island
family group was overlooked on the flight, or if the chick had died and its
parents were sighted off of their territory, but not identified as such
during the flight.
In his update Tom commented, “The discovery of 19 additional cranes is
really good news. If cranes moved around during the flight, I am concerned
that perhaps this tally is artificially high by a few birds due to double
counting them. Future census flights will attempt to pin this down. The
current estimated flock size of 264 is surprisingly high, but indicates that
survival between spring and fall 2009 was excellent. The 21 wintering chicks
that successfully migrated out of the 22 fledged in Canada, added to the
estimated flock size of 247 in the spring of 2009, meant that a maximum of
268 cranes could have arrived at Aransas this fall. One crane seen injured
in Saskatchewan in the fall migration is believed to have perished. The fact
that we are accounting for 265 out of the potential 267 is excellent news.”
Tom's Report on Habitat Use and Food Resources
Tides have lowered somewhat with about 30% of the mud flats dry on San Jose
Island. However, few observations have been made this winter of cranes
feeding in open bay habitat, and only six cranes were seen in open bay
habitat on the January flight.
Salinities in San Antonio Bay are currently 14 parts per thousand, low
enough that the cranes are drinking directly from the salt marsh. 65 cranes
were located in unburned uplands, 10 were on refuge prescribed burns, 12
were at feeders on private lands, and 2 were on shell roads. The presence of
so many cranes in the uplands, and cranes traveling longer distances than
usual into uplands, is indicative of food scarcity. A crab count conducted
December 18th found only 1 crab. No commercial crab traps were sighted on
the most recent flight, another indication that crab populations are at low
levels.
The cranes since Christmas have not been observed catching blue crabs,
whereas before that, some crabs were still being taken. A few wolfberries
were still available to the cranes the week before Christmas but have
tapered off since then. With blue crabs in very short supply, and the
wolfberry crop finished for the year, the cranes are entering the period of
the winter when food shortages sometimes occur and the cranes end up using
up fat reserves to survive.
Date:
January 09,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
NOT
ALREADY A MILEMAKER? UP FOR A CHALLENGE?
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Suzanne Hall Johnson from Colorado has issued a MileMaker Challenge. She
will match all 1/4, 1/2, and 1 mile sponsorships up to 5 miles.
At the moment we've actually logged 18 more miles than are sponsored, so
the migration is now in the red. There are still 264 miles to go before the
entire route is fully subscribed. With Suzanne's challenge, now is a good
time to double the value of your sponsorship.
Date:
January 09,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 78 = DOWN DAY #2
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
It felt even colder this morning than the 17F it was with the windchill
factored in. The northerly 10mph surface wind is brutal on any exposed skin.
At altitude it is equally as nasty as far as the cranes and planes are
concerned; the 20 to 30mph winds left no doubt about what was in store for
today - another day on the ground here in Decatur County, GA.
For those of you keeping score, last year we arrived at this stopover on
January 13 (Migration Day 78) and departed on the 14th (Migration Day 79).
So, we're still ahead of the game date-wise, but unless we can fly tomorrow
and that's not looking too promising, we're going to fall behind 2008's
track migration day-wise. C'mon Mr. Weatherman...get with the program!
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
DECATUR CO. GA
Decatur County is divided by the Flint River which flows to meet the
Chattahoochee River. Together, they form the Apalachicola River that flows
to the Gulf of Mexico. At the junction of the two rivers, the Jim Woodruff
Dam forms Lake Seminole. A system of locks there allows barge traffic to
travel between the inland port at Bainbridge and the Gulf of Mexico.
Date:
January 08,
2010 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Richard van Heuvelen
Subject:
FLIGHT
FROM ALABAMA TO GEORGIA - LEAD PILOT REPORT
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
The morning dawned crisp and clear with no wind. A perfect day for
migrating. All 20 birds came out of the pen in a eruption of white, quickly
flying above the wing and clearing the trees quite abruptly. Slowly turning
on course they began to catch the wing.
As we climbed the birds formed up
in an orderly fashion in a long line off my left wing. As our altitude
increased, so did our ground speed, and soon we were doing approximately
forty-six miles per hour. This boded well for skipping yet another stop.
A large layer of cloud cover had formed overhead while we were preparing
for our flight, and this kept the thermals down to a minimum. As we
approached the first stop we began consider skipping on to the next stop.
However we would soon be out from under the cloud cover and in full bright
sunlight. This meant that there would be potential for more thermal
activity.
Soon we were in full sunlight and did not find the expected thermals so
we decided to continue on to stopover #21 near Climax, Georgia. We headed on
our new course and continued to climb to find better ground speed. This took
a while, but we did eventually climb through 3700 feet ASL, [above sea
lever] reaching a ground speed of 48mph.
904 led most of the first leg before 906 took over. Once in a while a
group of seven or eight birds would drop off at the end of the line. Pushing
the bar out we would slow down to let them catch up and they would soon be
back with us. On one occasion a lone bird broke out from the back of the
line and out of the slipstream. It charged ahead past all of the other
birds, and butted in front of 906 who had been flying erratically, diving
below the wing, and leading the rest of the birds with it. I guess 905
disliked this behavior, as it made the birds at the back of the line work
harder, and decided to take the lead away from 906.
It seemed to work as after that the birds stopped dropping down. About 25
miles out we began a slow decent. This allowed the birds to fly faster and
still catch a break. We started to lose altitude before arriving so as not
to have to circle around the landing site trying to convince the birds to
land.
As it turned out we were down to a couple of hundred feet on arrival but
the birds began to climb again and flew back north a couple miles where they
had eyeballed a nice marshy area to land in. But that also was not to be. I
caught up to them as they circled the pond, cutting them off. They regained
interest in the wing and followed it back to our stopover site and this time
landed as a group next to Chris and Matt and their trikes.
Yay! I made it to Climax with twenty chicks how awesome is that!
Date:
January 08,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
DEPARTURE
FLYOVER FOR DECATUR COUNTY
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
The departure flyover viewing location for Decatur County, GA is outside of
Climax, GA on Bell Dixon Road, just east of where it is intersected by Fewell Road. Click here for map.
Viewers will want to be in place by
sunrise (approximately 7:30am). Our ability to fly on any given day is
entirely weather dependent. So, it is important to remember that you
could make the trip for naught, if, in the morning, we find that weather and
flying conditions are such that we are unable to launch with the birds.
Date:
January 08,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
I'M LIKE
THE MAYTAG REPAIRMAN
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Between
the longer time on the road due to the skipped stopover, losing an hour on
the switch from Central to Eastern Time, and CraneCam and equipment issues
on arrival, all those things that usually get accomplished on the afternoon
of a fly day didn't quite get ticked off the list.
As a result, everyone is on the move today. Chris and Walt left shortly
after 7am to return to Pike County for the white van and the aircraft
trailer. Richard, Barb, and Erin have gone to the next stopover in Jefferson
County, FL to set up our second travel pen there. Bev and Brooke are in St.
Marks to check out the wintering pen. Heather and Matt have gone to town on
two missions. They are in search of a laundromat to wash all the costumes,
and also for a place to get a tire repaired.
The right front tire on the blue truck has been gasping for air about
every second day To the right you can see what it looked like this morning.
Past time for fill ups and time for a real fix.
If you were counting crew heads out on errands, there's only two left
unaccounted for. Geoff and I. Geoff is the 'on duty bird babysitter', so
that leaves me holding down the fort. Just like the Maytag repairman....I'm
the lonliest gal in camp.
Date:
January 08,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PHOTOS OF
YESTERDAY'S DEPARTURE
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
The scene as the four pilots gathered at the end on the grassy
strip runway to drop the frost covers from the trike wings. You can
see from the reflection in the water how calm it was.
Crouched down in the bushes behind some tree cover
some distance from the site, this is what I saw moments after
Richard launched with all 20 birds.
Date:
January 08,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 76 = DOWN DAY #1
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Are you old enough to remember that old Dinah Washington song, "What a
Difference a Day Makes?" After treating us to three consecutive days of
great flying conditions the weather gods decided they'd given us enough.
Delivered to our doorstep this morning was an extra helping of cold, strong
wind, and rain which began falling overnight but has paused for the moment.
Today will be Down Day #1 in Decatur County, GA.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen
DECATUR CO. GA
Decatur County, created by an act of the Georgia General Assembly on
December 8, 1823, was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr. a hero of the
Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. The youngest man to reach the rank of
captain in the history of the United States Navy, he was first American
celebrated as a national military hero who had not played a role in the
American Revolution. Bainbridge, the county seat, was named after U.S. Navy
Commodore William Bainbridge.
Date:
January 07,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
LooooNG
DAY
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
Distance:
116 miles
(Pike Co. AL - Decatur Co. GA)
Total Miles
1039
While we'd all be tickled to pieces to have a fourth repeat tomorrow, I
think everyone would admit to feeling relieved that the weather projected
for the morning will most definitely keep us on the ground. I guarantee we'd
be as bushy-tailed as all get out if we got flying weather in the morning,
but as everyone is pretty darn beat it would be a toughie.
There is a
nasty cold front moving our way, and in fact the leading edge has arrived as
the thermometer is already starting to plunge. It is bringing with it
precipitation - whether that's going to be rain, snow or freezing rain/sleet
- we will have to wait and see.
Along with some technical difficulties with the CraneCam this afternoon,
we had some equipment issues, and between those things, and losing an hour
to the change back to Eastern Time, not everything that needed to be done
got accomplished. Although we'll be staying in place in Decatur County, GA,
Friday is going to be one busy day.
Photos from today's departure will be ready for posting here tomorrow, as
well as information on the departure flyover location for Decatur County.
Date:
January 07,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
TRIPLE
THREAT
Location:
Decatur Co. GA
We're a triple threat! With today's flight featuring yet another skipped
stopover (Clay County, GA) we set a new record. Three flights in three days
and three skips. Can y'all (I now speak 'southern') hear us cheering?
Almost all the ground crew has arrived at our new campsite and it's time to
get set up. And some crew still has to backtrack to Pike County to pick up
the white van and the aircraft/equipment trailer. More news later once
that's all done and we get a chance to have some breakfast. Now that we're
back on Eastern Time, (it's 1:35pm EST) breakfast will be even later than it
usually is on fly days. No wonder I'm hearing everyone's tummy rumbles.
Date:
January 07,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 75
Location:
Pike Co. AL
Not so cold this morning and very calm at 4:00am. As sunrise approached
conditions remained favorable both on the surface and at altitude. In the
half light, team members started moving around readying for the possibility
of a third consecutive fly day.
By 6:40 the pilots were at the trikes to
fuel up. The wing covers would stay on until the last possible moment. By
6:50 the ground crew (Erin and Geoff) were in place at the pen to check the
birds and prepare for the release. By 7:00 Bev and Barb hit the road to get
in position in the tracking van. Then there was nothing to do but wait....
It took a while for the sun to come up sufficiently for the pilots to
feel confident about dropping the frost covers. At 7:35 today's lead pilot,
Richard, launched. There was a bloom of white as all 20 birds came over the
rise from the pen on the tail of Richard's trike.
Tucked in the trees a distance away, Walter and I watched Richard make a
shallow turn to the left, and up over the tree line he and his charges
climbed. In the time it took to click the shutter on the camera three or
four times they were gone - just like that.
Just as the airborne contingent got on course, a helicopter flew over our
heads going north, then turned south. We held our breath for a few moments
when the pilots spotted two others lower down but cutting right across
Richard's flight path. They continued to spot others but thankfully there
was no serious interaction.
With the Class of 2009 well on their way to Georgia, the pilots radioed
the okay to the ground crew to dismantle the pen. Before they left radio
signal range, we heard the pilots talking about a tailwind, leaving us to
speculate our ultimate destination - Clay County or Decatur County, GA.
Very shortly, the work of breaking camp will begin in preparation for the
ground crew's departure. We'll be on the road headed for Stopover #20 but
hoping to hear our destination is going Stopover #21. The pilots won't make
that call until the cranes and planes are approaching Clay County and they
can weigh a number of factors into the decision.
Date:
January 06,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Pike Co. AL
The weather models of the moment call for us to have negligible SE
surface winds in the morning and westerly winds aloft. As this next leg is
where we swing east into Georgia, a little push from the west isn't too much
of a bad thing. Based on what we're seeing at around 4pm this afternoon, we
are giving ourselves a 60-40 chance of being able to fly tomorrow.
Despite several hours of searching, which continued until it was too dark
to see any longer, we could not find a suitable viewing site for the
departure out of Walker County. Very sorry folks.
Date:
January 06,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
SKIPPED A
STOPOVER
Location:
Pike Co. AL
Stopover #18 in Lowndes County missed a visit from the planes and cranes
this morning as they all just kept on going.
Two days, two flights, two
skipped stops. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it? Even nicer music to my ears
are the date comparisons. Last year on what turned out to be an 88 day
migration - the second longest on record - we arrived here at Stopover #19
on January 12. It's taken 70% of the migration to do it, but we've finally
pulled ahead. Whether it stays that way is a whole other question.
Regardless, we're happy today. The Class of 2009 are safe and sound on
the ground in Pike County, AL.
With the exception of Bev and Barb in the tracking van and me in the
Jamboree, all the ground crew is still on the road. Won't be long though
before the hustle and bustle of setting up camp will be underway once
again.
Date:
January 05,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Brooke Pennypacker
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 74
Location:
Chilton Co. AL
Distance:
111 miles
(Franklin Co. AL - Chilton Co. AL)
Total Miles
813
The morning started with an irate banging on the camper door. Staring up
at me through the window was none other than the local property tax
collector.
“Let’s see,” he began. “Four trikes, 5 campers, 2 pen trailers, 1
equipment trailer and 1 tracking van. You’ve been here so long we’re looking
at some serious money here.”
"Will you take a check?” I countered. “It’s a good one and you can cash
it when the banks open at nine.”
“Why not?” he answered. “From what I’ve seen of you guys, you’re not much
of a flight risk!”
Then my alarm rang out and woke me up.
I looked out to see the flag hanging motionless as if exhausted from
weeks of belting out its chorus of, “You Ain’t Leavin' Today” song. Then
Walt appeared out of the cold dark and said, “Don’t believe it. They just
sprayed it with water last night so it would freeze and fool us into getting
airborne at least one more time before hell freezes over." After our two
previous aborted attempts to leave, we were due some favorable consideration
from the weather gods.
I was soon at the pen revving the engine as the birds squealed in
electric anticipation. I could swear I heard one of them comment to the
others in disgust, “This guy again? Why don’t they send us a pilot who can
actually fly?” Before I could protest in my defense, Erin and Geoff threw
open the gates and we launched into the beginning of a rodeo which lasted
long enough to turn the goose bumps that the single digit temps had covered
me with, into beads of sweat.
The trashy air did its part to express its disfavor at our leaving, but
soon we were scratching at the thick, cold altitude that would thwart its
malice. As we climbed, I couldn’t help but feel we were being lifted up,
higher and higher, by all the friends we were leaving behind who had blessed
us with a never ending bounty of kindness and generosity and good wishes.
You never forget folks like that, and you try just that much harder so as to
not let them down.
And in the upstairs there awaited something called a tailwind, which I
had heretofore believed to be restricted in reality to an act which good
manners required me to say, “Excuse Me." I had long since believed its
existence in the sky to be nothing more than urban legend. But, there it was
on the GPS, and as we all know, even GPSs with Mr. T talking don’t lie.
Could it be an illusion? 67 miles per hour ground speed! That’s about a 30
mph tailwind! Perhaps Elvis hasn’t left the building after all. The ground
rolled out beneath us faster than a 400 lb man on a treadmill during a
stress test. Amazing! Can a trike pilot even breath at this speed?
And there, below me to the left was Walker County Airport where another
incredibly kind and generous friend stood watching as we overflew the stop
he had worked so hard to arrange, and rearrange, and rearrange again, as we
tried and tried to make this leg of the migration.
But the regret that always fills me at these times, a regret that even
the thrill of progress doesn’t quit dissolve, is always calmed by their
words, “We understand completely and we wish you and the birds well.”
Without such people, the world would surely tilt off its axis and tumble
into a very dark abyss.
As we approached giant smoke stacks from two massive power plants, the
birds began to balk at this intrusion into their world, and an even ten
broke back from the string of 20 in protest. Richard moved in and picked
them up and after some coaxing they rejoined the effort.
On my trike for the first time was the famous Trikecam, a veritable eye
in the sky hopefully transmitting in real time the flight of the birds.
Chris, in his ever ingenious fashion, had put this little rig together for
less than the cost of 10 people going to a movie, and it was going a long
way to accomplish a long held wish of the project to give folks the
experience of flying with birds.
I had hoped to accomplish this by contracting Howard Hughes to build a
giant trike called the “Spruce Trike” with a giant back seat that would
accommodate a few hundred people at a time. That was until someone informed
me that Howard Hughes had been dead for years. Oh well. My Newsweek
magazines don’t get forwarded too good these days.
But I couldn’t help but wonder at just how far we had come since the days
of David Letterman and his MonkeyCam, where the little fellow was released
to climb around the studio rigging and give us the hope that someday we too
could be a monkey. And later, much later, we were treated to Animal Planet's
CritterCam, virtually everything that moved had a camera on. Even the cams
had cams on them!
Then , like the roll in a player piano, our next stop appeared below and
down we went to greet it. The thermals had started to work their treachery
on the layer of air between us and the ground, so down through it we dropped
absorbing its kicks, punches and round houses.
The birds, not friendly towards instability, chose to remain aloft as
possible since thermals are their friends, and for millions of years their
allies in their quest for travel and freedom. Coaxing them to relinquish the
companionship of this friend took effort, but in the end, their buddies clad
in white won the day and soon the migration leg came to an end.
Birds safely in the pen, trikes safely nested down for the night, and the
traveling carnival fully arrived, we found ourselves sitting around a warm
and welcome table with our hosts ,eating Brunswick Stew and corn bread,
drinking sweat tea, catching up on a year’s worth of happenings and enjoying
the warmth and camaraderie which only a project like this one can generate.
How lucky we all are.
Date:
January 05,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING AND CHILTON CO. FLYOVER
Location:
Chilton Co. AL
With NW surface winds forecast to be 0 to 5mph and conditions aloft similar
or better than today's, we are anticipating/hoping for another fly day
tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
The departure flyover viewing location for Chilton
County is south of Montevallo on CR 107 which is off CR 73. The viewing
location on CR 107 is just a short way east of where CR 119 meets CR 107.
Click here for
map.
The early morning is quite cold so remember to dress
warmly and be on site by 7:00am. Everyone attending the flyover will
receive a gift of a pair of binoculars compliments of
Southern Company.
Date:
January 05,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
AT
STOPOVER #18
Location:
Chilton Co. AL
Four trikes, four pilots, and 20 Whooping cranes are all safely on the
ground in Chilton Co. AL. Going to be a busy afternoon. Once the
ground-bound team makes it to Chilton, because we are short a driver we have
to make trips back to Franklin County for vehicles, then there is camp to
set up. More as soon as we can.
Date:
January 05,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day 74
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
We had the brrr factor at work this morning. 4F with the windchill when I
stepped outside at 4:00am. The weatherman delivered variable WNW surface
winds of around 5 to 6 mph, but there was little change to what has been
lurking aloft; strong NW winds of anywhere from 20 to 30mph.
The scene
here this morning was one of deja-vu; crew moving around getting organized,
scraping windshields, and loading vehicles. That done, there was nothing to
do but to wait for official sunrise (6:58am), hopeful of an opportunity to
launch. Would the birds and wind cooperate and make the third attempt
to depart Franklin County the charm?
Fear
of a frost build up on the trike wings had the pilots waiting until the very
last second to open the hangar doors and push out. (Left: Pilots costuming
up and waiting for sun to come out.)
At 7:15am CST Richard took to the air. He was barely up when he did a
fast turnabout and landed back on the runway again, concerned about frost
build up on the wing.
In just the very few minutes out of the hangar, the other three trikes on
the ground had also already gotten frost accumulation on the wings, so the
pilots delayed take off and moved their trikes into the weak morning sun.
After a few minutes, Chris launched with Richard right behind him.
Today's lead pilot Brooke was next off, with Matt bringing up the rear.
Within moments Matt came over the aviation radio saying he was having
problems with his helmet and needed to return to the runway. The other three
trikes circled while Matt resolved the issues with his headgear, watchful
all the while for icing on the wings.
At 7:43 we watched as Brooke disappeared behind the tree line to pick up
the birds. Chris' voice came over the aviation radio with the good news that
they could find a 17mph push at 2200 feet above ground level. Then, way off
in the distance we could see the Class of 2009 trailing Brooke's trike as
they climbed toward the ridge to the south.
There was some reluctance on the birds' part and Richard called for the
Swamp Monsters and also for the truck to get ready to blast down the runway.
We could see Brooke, not much bigger than a bird in the distant sky,
circling and circling, trying to get the birds on the wing.
At 7:53 Chris came over the radio saying, "Looking good Brooke," and if
you couldn't hear the loud sigh of relief from the ground here it was only
because you weren't listening hard enough. Brooke said he was in trashy air
at his lower altitude, and as a result gaps formed in the line of birds
before they would again re-group. Chris promised smooth air above 2000 feet
and Brooke worked to get them to climb.
Hopeful, but not totally confident yet, the pilots radioed the ground
crew to hold off taking down the pen for a while. Brooke was still having to
circle to keep the birds with him. By 8:01, from what we heard on the radio,
Richard was high and behind, Chris and Matt were ahead and to the south, and
Brooke had all 20 birds on the wing.
You will have to tune back in later today for the rest of the story, and
I hope we will be telling it from a new location!!
Date:
January 04,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Tomorrow morning it looks like we'll have NW winds at around 6 to 8mph on
the surface and anywhere from 15 to 25mph aloft. But....we've about given up
the guessing game.
Our prediction for tomorrow is (a) that we will fly,
or, (b) that we will not fly. We'll just hope for the best when we go to bed
tonight and then get up in the morning and see what kind of conditions
Tuesday has in store for us.
Date:
January 04,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 73 = DOWN DAY #9
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
At 4:00am the temperature with the windchill was a frosty 8F. On the surface
the NW winds were gusting 8mph, and up on the ridge over which the cranes
and planes have to climb the winds were out of the north and blowing a
steady 10 mph. While surface conditions were somewhat better to the south of
us, aloft, high velocity winds of 25mph plus blanketed the entire flight
path.
Reluctant to throw in the towel, it was decided that if conditions
at sunrise still weren't favorable, we would stand at the ready for at least
an hour in the hope of a change for the better. Richard launched to check
out the air at altitude and as the minutes ticked by hope dwindled. He
didn't find anything different from what we already suspected. Wind too
strong and too bumpy - it's a no fly day. A dejected crew made for their
respective motorhomes to strip off the layers of cold weather gear.
Our anxiety to leave is heightened by precipitation on
the way in the form of snow appearing on the radar screen. With the cold
temperatures we're experiencing, accumulation is possible.
Date:
January 03,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Oh how great it would be to just once type in this space, "We're flying
tomorrow - guaranteed!" But unfortunately, neither Mother Nature nor Old Man
Weather gives guarantees, so here we are once again reduced to second
guessing both of them.
The latest check of what's in store for us tomorrow
looked awfully similar to what we saw yesterday at this time. If the wind
velocity was less, it was marginal, and if there was a difference in cloud
cover, it too was imperceptible. This led Chris G to repeat his odds from
yesterday; that is, an 80% chance of flying.
Once again it is
virtually certain that the pilots will not attempt to lead the birds
dead into the wind in order to provide a flyover. After today's struggle, as
quickly as they can get them on the wing they will be turning to get on
course.
Date:
January 03,
2010
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 72 = DOWN DAY #9
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
At 4:00am it was a brisk 18F and an even brisker 9F with the windchill. The
weather stations were reporting a 7mph NE surface wind, and up to 20mph at
altitude. Strong winds but perhaps doable, so everyone was in motion to get
into position.
Four trikes launched and Chris reported bumpy air through
2700 feet. He finally found some smooth air above that, but the trick would
be to get the birds through the trash up to that altitude. Brooke, today's
lead pilot, launched shortly after 7am with all 20 birds. Several times they
turned back in to the wind, and several times Brooke maneuvered to get them
back on the wing.
The birds continued their reluctance to climb, so just in case, the
pilots called for the Swamp Monster to get in place. By 7:55, more than a
half an hour after launch some birds were lagging, leading the pilots to
discuss breaking up the birds onto more than one trike. Still engaged in a
rodeo, the pilots radioed to the ground crew to continue to stand by at the
pen.
Matt, flying well above the rest, reported 'ripples' at 3200 feet and
Brooke acknowledged there was a lot of trashy air between his altitude and
where Matt was flying. With the little prospect of smoother air at higher
altitudes, and after the trikes had been airborne for more than an hour, and
the birds for 42 minutes, the pilots made the decision to call it a day.
There was a collective groan here on the ground when Chris radioed the
crew at the pen to get ready for their return. At 8:22 the birds were back
on the ground at the pen. We will all - crew and birds - be spending at
least one more day in Franklin County.
One bird went down. The pilots radioed the coordinates to the tracking
van and Bev and Barb sped to the site. Costuming up, before going to its
location, they will crate it, and transport it back to the pen.
Date:
January 02,
2010 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
This afternoon's check of the weather models revealed that we could have
a possible fly day tomorrow. Chris G is giving us an 80% chance -
considerably better than we've had of late.
If we do fly however, with the projected wind direction being out of the
NNE on the surface and out of the NNW aloft - and a tad strong, it is
virtually certain that the pilots will not be able to lead the birds
dead into the wind to accomplish a flyover. If they are able to get the
Class of 2009 up and into the air, their prime objective will be to get them
on the wing and turned on course as quickly as possible.
No doubt those who came out for what turned out to be an aborted
departure on Tuesday will be glad they did, as that is quite likely to be
the only opportunity to view Whooping cranes in Franklin County this
migration.
Date:
January 02,
2010 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 71 = DOWN DAY #8
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Once again, although out of the right direction, the very strong winds are
our nemesis this morning. With gusts on the surface of up to 18mph, and
ranging from from 30 to 50mph aloft, there was no need to even put a test
trike up. Today will be Down Day #8 in Franklin County, AL.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen DO YOU KNOW YOUR STATE BIRDS?
The State birds of the U.S. States on the Whooping crane flyway (north and
south) and summer and wintering grounds are:
Wisconsin and Michigan – American
Robin or Migratory Thrush [American Robin]
Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky - THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK
[Northern Cardinal]
Tennessee and Florida - COMMON MOCKING-BIRD
[Northern Mockingbird]
South Carolina - GREAT CAROLINA WREN [Carolina Wren]
Alabama - THE GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER [Northern Flicker
or Yellowhammer]
Georgia - FERRUGINOUS MOCKING-BIRD [Brown Thrasher]
Date:
January 01,
2010 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
First the good news. Conditions have improved from what we've had over
the past couple of days. Now the bad news. They haven't improved quite as
much as we'd like to see. In fact, from what we are seeing on the weather
models at the moment, it appears as if Saturday is almost going to be a
clone of this past Tuesday when it was a case of, 'close, but no cigar'.
While Chris G is giving us 60% chance of being able to fly tomorrow
morning, my prediction is our odds are more like 40%. I'm hoping that he
is the one who is right!
Date:
January 01,
2010 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
SIGHTING
WHOOPING CRANES
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Throughout the year we get many emails reporting sightings of Whooping
cranes – for which we are very appreciative.
There is a
special website for folks to go to, and it has a sighting reporting
form. The sighting report goes to all the WCEP partners and is most
especially useful for the trackers. (A permanent link to the reporting
website can be found under the "Links" column to the right of this Field
Journal.)
Many of the sightings can be confirmed as being of Whooping cranes, but some
turn out to be a case of 'mistaken identity'.
The US Fish and Wildlife service has a
great webpage to help people identify and distinguish between different
birds. While designed primarily for Sandhill Crane hunters, the site has
good information for anyone with an interest in birds.
Below is just one of the helpful graphics from the FWS webpage.
Date:
January 01,
2010 - Entry - 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MORE CREW
CHANGES
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
After a two week stint with us, we said goodbye to Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center’s Robert Doyle on Wednesday when his replacement Barb Clauss
arrived. Barb, also a member of the Crane Ecology team at the Laurel, MD
facility, will be with us until next up in the rotation, husband Brian
Clauss, another crane handler/trainer from Patuxent, will arrive to relieve
Barb from migration duty on January 14th.
Back to help us out once again
is volunteer ultralight pilot cum chef, Matt Ahrens. We welcomed Matt to
Alabama on Monday, December 28th when he arrived in camp with Chris
Gullikson. Chris had picked him up on his return trip from Wisconsin after
his holiday break. Matt will fly in Joe’s place while Joe continues to spend
time at home with his family.
More re-additions to the migration crew are in the offing. Top cover
pilot, Jack Wrighter along with pilot and spotter Don Lounsbury, both
volunteers, are expected to rejoin the crew in early to mid January.
Date:
January 01,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 70 = DOWN DAY #7
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
While less strong than anticipated, Chris had it right with his prediction
for this morning. As a result, all 31 pairs of feet will remain firmly
planted on the ground today (11 human, 20 avian).
HAPPY NEW YEAR
TO CRANIACS EVERYWHERE !
from the Board of Directors and staff of Operation Migration
Date:
December 31,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
OM's amateur meteorologist, Chris Gillikson says he doesn't like our chances
for a flight on New Year's Day. A cold front is moving through our area
tonight, lowering the ceiling, bringing with it blustery northwest winds,
and the possibility of snow flurries.
When pushed, Chris conceded and quoted 90 to 10 odds against our chances
of flying. But I think the 10% might just have been a matter of not wanting
to entirely rule out the possibility for the third straight day. Guess we
wait and see what the morning brings.
Date:
December 31,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
WHAT IS
THE PENALTY?
Location:
Main Office
Since we posted the
increase to the reward for information leading to the apprehension of
the individual(s) who shot Whooping crane 217*, we’ve received numerous
inquiries about the potential penalty that an individual(s) might receive.
Here is the answer.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects not only the
animals and plants themselves, but also their critical habitat. Although it
is an essential and very important law, because it has an impact on the
future of property that is occupied by listed species, it can sometimes be a
hard one to live with.
When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first contemplated reintroducing
Whooping cranes into their former range they had to consider all the
consequences. Both the nesting grounds in Wisconsin and the wintering area
in Florida are on federal land already protected, but the majority of the
1,200 miles in between is privately owned. If reintroduced birds listed as
endangered were to establish territories on that land, it could become
critical habitat and subject to all the restrictions outlined in the Act.
Naturally, there was some resistance. Everyone wants to see a bird as
beautiful as a Whooping crane protected from extinction, but no one wants to
lose control of personal property.
Within the ESA there is a provision for such occurrences. It is called
the 'Experimental, Non-essential Designation'. Under this specially enacted
regulation, the birds the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) introduces to
eastern North America are deemed
not critical to the survival of the species, but rather, are an experimental
population and therefore have the status of Threatened. This removed the
risk of property restrictions, encouraged support, and 20 States and two
Canadian Provinces agreed that reintroduced Whooping cranes would be welcome
in their jurisdictions.
Without this change in the laws none of the work done by any of the WCEP
partners would be possible, and this population would not exist. But there
are some drawbacks. All of us would like to see the person or persons who
shot number 217*, the most important bird in the eastern population, caught
and prosecuted to the full extent of the law - but these birds are not
protected by the Endangered Species Act. They are however covered by the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and people who shoot them are subject to a fine of
up to $15,000.00, or a jail term of six months, or both.
Date:
December 31,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day 69 = Down Day
#6
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The rain, 200 foot ceiling, and winds dead out of the south, leave no doubt
about where the Class of 2009 and all of us on the migration crew will spend
New Year's eve. Today will be Down Day #6 in Franklin County, AL.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen If you are outdoors during migration season and you hear cranes
calling overhead but none are in sight, it is likely that they are flying so
high that they are invisible to the naked eye. There is a distinct
difference between the calls of Sandhill cranes and Whooping cranes. Click
the links to listen and you might be able to identify them if you hear them.
About all we can see for tomorrow is more of the same of what we had
today...southerly winds and rain, rain, rain. Given that, we reiterate
yesterday's prediction of our changes for flight on Thursday morning as
being somewhere between zero and zilch. Drats!
Date:
December 30,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MORE THAN
HALF WAY
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Lisa and Carl Saunders emailed to say they wanted to give Give a WHOOP!
campaign a shot in the arm. They couldn't think of a better use for a $100
bill they received as a Christmas gift, that challenging folks to Give a
WHOOP! They will match the next 10 Whoops that come in - which means your
contribution will be doubled!
We are only 56% of the way there toward our
goal of 10,000 WHOOPS! We hope the photos below (taken at the aborted
departure from Franklin County, AL December 29th) will serve as inspiration,
and that you'll think they are something to 'whoop' about.
A second ultralight (piloted by Matt Ahrens) hovers
high above and behind lead pilot Brooke as he tried to convince the
Class of 2009 to climb.
(Photo courtesy of Phil Free/Southern Company)
The need to reduce the size of this fabulous photo doesn't do
justice to the beauty of the young birds as they flew right over the
heads of flyover viewers.
(Photo courtesy of Phill Free/Southern Company
Bottom: The bottom two photographs were snapped and
sent to us by Alice Baker so we could share them with you. Alice
managed to capture the two extremes; a picture of all 20 young
cranes following Brooke's ultralight, as well as one of a lone bird
enjoying an effortless ride as it surfs the airflow off Brooke's
left wing.
Date:
December 30,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
EASTERN
MIGRATORY POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The current estimate of the number of Whooping cranes in the Eastern
Migratory Population is 85; 48 males and 37 females. WCEP trackers report
there was very little movement of birds over the past two weeks. The number
of birds in each state and their locations as of December 26th are shown
below. (* = female; D = Direct Autumn Release; NFT = non functional
transmitter)
This report has been compiled from data supplied by WCEP trackers
Richard Urbanek, Eva Szyszkoski, Sara Zimorski, and Jess Thompson.
Date:
December 30,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 68 = DOWN DAY #5
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
As the minutes ticked away from 4:00am forward, the southerly winds
increased and the system bringING rain to the area edged its way closer to
us. Not even close to weather suitable for cranes and planes to take to the
air. Today will be Down Day #5 in Franklin County.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen FRANKLIN COUNTY,
al Phil Campbell, Alabama is the only town in the world by that name,
and to have both the first and last names of an individual. In the 1880s, a
railroad work crew leader and engineer by the name of Phillip Campbell
established a work camp in Franklin County.
As the area around the camp developed, a prominent businessman told Mr.
Campbell that if he would construct a railroad depot and add a siding to the
stretch of railroad passing near his business, he would name the developing
town after him. Phil could not pass up that deal and built both the depot
and siding.
In 1995, writer Phil Campbell organized a convention of people who shared
their name with the town. Twenty-two Phil Campbells and one Phyllis Campbell
hailing from all over America, attended it. The story of the Phil Campbell
convention was published nationally and was even mentioned in Ripley's
Believe it or Not.
Date:
December 29,
2009 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
For tomorrow we are looking at surface winds dead out of the south and
southwest winds aloft. The rest of the bad news is that the forecast rain
has the potential to begin to fall at our destination while the cranes and
planes would still be enroute. We rating our chances of a flight in the
morning at somewhere between zero and zip.
Date:
December 29,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
NO
DEPARTURE, BUT GREAT FLYOVER
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The
just shy of 80 people stomping and shivering in the cold this morning were
eventually rewarded with some terrific views of the Class of 2009 as Brooke
led them overhead in what turned out to be an abortive departure attempt.
We waited at one end of the runway and listened to the pilots' voices
over the aviation radio as a bit of a rodeo seemed to be going on out of our
sight at the other end.
While all 20 birds came readily out of the pen, it was readily apparent
they weren't happy about climbing into what at low altitude was rough air.
The pilots called for the Swamp Monsters, and that deterred the birds which
had turned tail from landing out back at the pen.
We watched as Brooke and his 20 charges flew way to the west of us before
he was able to slowing make the turn and work his way back. But it is true
that all things do come to he who waits... making me awfully
regretful at not having my own camera in hand.
At one point when overhead the birds were illuminated by the sun as they
trailed off the trike wing and the sight was breathtaking. Those at the
flyover this morning are encouraged to send their best photo to us if they
are willing to share.
Date:
December 29,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
REWARD
REACHES $10,000 MARK
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
According to an announcement made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a
private citizen has pledged an additional $2,500 to the reward offered for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons
who shot a Whooping crane near Cayuga, Ind., between Nov. 28 and Dec. 1,
2009. With that contribution, the total reward now stands at up to $10,000.
The citizen, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed sadness and
frustration with the loss of the crane and said that the offer is an effort
to help wildlife law enforcement officers find the perpetrator.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering $2,500 for information
leading to an arrest and conviction. On Dec. 15, Defenders of Wildlife and
the Indiana Turn in a Poacher or a Polluter Program (TIP) each pledged
$2,500 toward the reward.
Wildlife law enforcement agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the Indiana Department of Natural Resources continue to investigate the
shooting.
Date:
December 29,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
'09 YEAR
END APPROACHES
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
With just 60 hours remaining in 2009, we thought some folks might appreciate
being reminded that the deadline for online tax deductible receipts for the
'09 taxation year is midnight, December 31st. Under IRS and CRA rules,
checks which are dated and postmarked by December 31st - regardless of when
they are received at the OM office - are eligible for a 2009 deductible
receipt.
We hope you have all enjoyed our Field Journal entries
documenting our progress (and lack thereof) on the 2009 migration, and what
is about to become the third consecutive 'multi-year' migration.
As the end of 2009 approaches please think of Operation Migration if you
are thinking of a year-end gift to receive a charitable tax-deduction. Your
tax-deductible year-end contribution will not only take your commitment to
conservation and the environment one step further, it will help us ensure a
future for Whooping cranes. Alternatively, you might consider honoring
someone you care about with a gift membership in Operation Migration - a
portion of which is also tax deductible.
Contributions or memberships may be done via PayPal right here on our
website or, by calling the office toll free at 1-800-675-2618. And remember,
tax deductible receipts for 2009 will be issued for all contributions made
right up to midnight December 31st.
Date:
December 29,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 67 A 'NO GO'
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
At 4:00am it was looking like today could be the day we departed Franklin
County. A crisp temperature in the teens and no wind to speak of on the
surface, but what was waiting for the cranes and planes aloft?
As it turns out, too much turbulence was what was in store for us up top.
While Chris found smooth air at around 3,000 feet, it was too trashy below
that. Try as Brooke might, he couldn't convince the birds to climb up to
altitude. After several attempts, he could see the birds were tiring and
beginning to mouth breathe. One more attempt - as much to give them some
exercise as anything - and Brooke and the Class of 2009 sailed overhead of
the big crowd gathered at the end of the airport runway. With the blue sky
and sun glinting off the white feathers the view was stunning.
We watched as the trike and birds wheeled and made back for the pensite.
Tickled at the glorious sight. Frustrated with no flight. Disappointed at
not advancing. Discouraged at having to add yet another 'down day' to the
migration chalk board. Today was most definitely a 'downer'.
(Photos will be posted later this morning)
Date:
December 28,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
It is looking very promising for a flight tomorrow morning. The only fly in
the ointment might be that the favorable winds could be too strong. We
expect to be up and ready for an attempt at the very least however.
The
departure viewing sight is the old parking lot at the Russellville airport.
It is just off Hwy 243, adjacent to several large fuel tanks. Dress warmly,
and be on site by 7am.
Date:
December 28,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
BITS AND
PIECES
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Not a doubt in the world the winds were out of the north this morning. With
the temperature having dropped down into the teens during the night, the
furnace in the motorhome would hardly click off before it would click back
on again. So much for filling up everyone's propane.
There was less wind
down at the CraneCam this morning - no banging of the trailer door
thankfully - but enough to warrant earmuffs and a hoodie. The Class of 2009
looks healthy and remains energetic. On several occasions over the last week
I've noticed some of them hock sitting, so they are obviously feeling safe
and comfortable in their pen.
Yesterday afternoon Robert went out to medicate the birds. About every
couple of weeks they are given de-worming medication. Cranberries are
injected with the meds and each bird is given two 'treats'. Starting with
the bird with the lowest band number, Robert worked his way through the
group until they had all received their required dosage.
The latest word from the holidaying crew is that everyone is now on their
way back. Chris and Matt Ahrens are somewhere in Illinois and Heather and
Richard have made it as far as Tennessee. The eastern seaboard bunch have
yet to call in, but they too are undoubtedly wending their way to Alabama.
We will be checking the weather models later today, and will return to
the practice of posting a "Predicting" entry around 4:30 to 5:30pm here in
the Field Journal with our best guess for the chances of a flight tomorrow.
Date:
December 27,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
LAST DAY
OF SOLITUDE
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
This will be the last day alone in camp for Geoff, Robert, and I. We suspect
that at least some of the team may be leaving home today to start making
their way back to Alabama...and none too soon.
Despite vowing not to, I
have been unable to resist checking the aviation weather each day. So far,
as you no doubt have gathered, the weather and winds have been such that we
haven't missed a flyday. Tonight however, we will have a change for the
better. The current southwest surface winds will start swinging around
today, first to come out of the WSW, then the west, then the WNW.
By Monday morning, winds both on the surface and aloft should be out of
the northwest, although up top it appears they could be pretty strong. At
this juncture, Tuesday certainly looks like it will dawn with favorable
flying conditions.
Cold but sunny at the CraneCam today. Still a bit frosty and the standing
water once again froze overnight. While I watched from my perch at the
camera, Robert did his usual morning pen check. When he walked the
perimeter, he discovered evidence that something had tried to approach the
pen during the night. One of the hotwires was sagging, and there were
scuffle marks in the surrounding ground leading Robert to speculate that
whatever it was, it had received a pretty good 'zap'. It would be great if
next year we could find someone/organization/corporate sponsor who would
fund adding infrared to our camera set up.
In preparation for a hoped for departure in a day or two, we'll be
topping up all the vehicles' fuel tanks; filling everyone's propane tanks;
and tomorrow morning we will bump up the heat in the unoccupied trailers so
everyone will return to a warm 'house'.
Here's hoping it won't be long before we get this show back on the
road...er...in the air.
Date:
December 26,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PHOTOS TO
EXPLAIN
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
It
took a while to convince the CraneCam to cooperate this morning, so the
7:00am live broadcast had a bit of a late start. The temperature and heavy
frost may have had something to do with the problem. It was more by good
luck than by good management that I eventually got it to maintain a
continuous stream. A teckie I am not.
All the standing water from the
recent rain is now frozen over, as was the water in the buckets in the pen.
Robert had to break it up when he did the morning pen check so the birds
could have access to it.
Those
of you who were watching the CraneCam the afternoon of the very high winds
will have heard quite a lot of banging.
This photo shows you what was making all the racket. It was the flip up
door on the camera trailer - the part you see here with Duke's logo on it.
Even though I leaned hard against it to try and keep it from banging and
disturbing the birds, the wind had enough strength to out muscle me....and,
I'm no flyweight.
Date:
December 26,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ENDING
WITH A TREAT
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Hercules finally stopped trying to topple the motorhome, so albeit a
little late, the Sugar Plum fairies had an opportunity to dance on our heads
last night as we three zonked out to recoup some lost sleep.
It was great fun watching the ‘cranelets’ yesterday afternoon. Lots of
low fly-bys, which I tried my darnedest to follow with the pan button on the
CraneCam. For me, every time they spread those gorgeous wings is just as
awesome as the time before. I think this year’s bunch have some devilment in
them. Twice, after Geoff set up a fresh water bucket, one or more of them
would knock it sideways, and then nonchalantly saunter away. Was that noise
them snickering behind his back?
The wind stayed fairly strong for the day, and by 4:45 it was again
blowing hard enough to make the camera bounce around and the cam trailer
door start to bang. Nothing like Thursday afternoon’s gale force wind
thankfully, but what it lacked in ferocity, it made up for in coldness. It
had a bite to it that turned the bare finger and thumb trying to work the
laptop cam mouse pad into stiff icicles.
The birds were as active as ever – maybe even more so. They are a
vigorous and dynamic bunch and I could swear they’ve gotten bigger and
whiter just over the last couple of days.
As I sat there driving the camera, I could feel the temperature dropping.
And I knew that meant I was going to have to have a serious motivational
chat with the Honda generator. You see, it is not fond of working when it is
cold. It can take some arm twisting to convince it that it needs to wake up
from its overnight hibernation.
When Geoff appeared after finishing the afternoon pen check, I quickly
shut down the camera in case I needed him into help me persuade Mr. Honda to
wake up. After countless pulls on the cord, I was ready to give over and
have Geoff try, but when I looked up, there he was.... gone.
Where on earth did he go? Finally I realized he’d left to take a second
container of water down to the pen. So, I gritted my teeth and muttered
under my breath, ‘You start this time or I promise ’m gonna kick you!’
Varooom, varoom, varoom. If only I had known the pigheaded thing was
susceptible to threats...
My outdoor adventures concluded for the day I returned to the Jamboree to
ditch my fashionable rubber boots, ‘de-layer’, and tackle some paperwork. I
was deep into the pile and making good headway when Robert stuck his head in
the Jamboree door. From where I sat in front of my laptop, I could hear that
he’d brought his growling tummy with him.
We rounded up Geoff, and off we went to a local eatery for a late meal.
Surprize. Geoff announced that his parents were treating us to dinner.
Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Tarbox!! What a nice present with which to end our
Christmas Day.
Date:
December 25,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
OH, THE
WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL...
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Wow, yesterday was quite the day! I should have cottoned on it was going to
be a wild one at 6:45am when I was parking the truck for the walk down the
hill to the CraneCam. That's when I spotted four coyotes ~100 yards away
from where I sit to drive the camera. The arrival of the truck didn't faze
them one bit, and because of my proximity to the pen, I couldn't honk the
horn or make any other loud noise to try and drive them off.
Not being a
coyote expert, I couldn't tell if they'd had a successful hunt, or were
still hungry and looking for breakfast. So, unsure whether or not they'd
think me a tasty morsel, I decided to sit in the truck and wait them out.
After about 10 minutes of moseying and nosing around, they wandered across
the field away from the pensite and disappeared into the trees. Whew...that
was a relief, but I must admit as I powered up the laptop and camera to
start the live broadcast, I cast more than a few nervous glances over my
shoulder.
If you've been watching the CraneCam you will have seen how active the
Class of 2009 is. They pace, do low fly-bys the length of the pen, pound the
upturned footbath pans, attack the pumpkins, and then, like a wind-up toy
run out of steam, calm down for a while before starting up again. When
Robert did the morning pen check yesterday, he found that they had pulled
out all the ground pegs in the pen that he'd pounded in to secure
things...like their feed buckets. Little devils.
As the day wore on we started to keep one eye on the weather forecast.
The wind was seriously picking up, and at the afternoon pen check, Geoff
made a circuit of the pen checking that the ground stakes were holding firm
and top netting was as secure as possible.
By 4:30 it was blowing 26mph on the surface here at the airport with
gusts from 35 to 50mph. The flag atop the pole at the airport terminal was
standing straight out, and when a gust would send it flapping, it sounded
like a whip snapping. Even a couple of the aircraft tied down on the tarmac
were being bounced and pushed around.
As we watched the radar screen, the giant storm system to the west of us
inched toward us. The deep orange and red spots were worrisome, especially
when we saw the winds aloft were blowing 70mph, but we battened everything
down and then hunkered down ourselves.
The rain hammered down, and as the wind drove it, it looked like grey
curtains moving in waves across the tarmac. The motorhome rocked - and I do
mean rocked!! It's a good thing I'm an old sailor and don't get seasick. The
storm battered away through the evening and into the night. As I crawled up
to my bed in the cab-over, I gave myself a kick in the behind. Earlier, I
had thought I should turn the motorhome into the wind. (see, it's the old
sailor coming out again). I didn't do it, and although the Jamboree was
catching it broadside, at that point no way was I going out to disconnect
everything and move it.
I fancy myself a sound sleeper, but whether it was things going bump in
the night (like me), or it was having the birds in the back of my mind, I
woke up again and again. Finally, when one particularly strong gust made it
seem like the motorhome wanted to heel over, I clamored down the ladder and
made for Erin's empty, ground level bed. And there I stayed until it was
almost light.
Anxious about the birds, I decided to leave earlier than my usual 6:45am
to go down to the CraneCam. As I was hauling on my rubber boots, I saw that
Robert had the same idea. As soon as he said, "Wasn't that a scary night?"
off we charged. Thankfully, we had nothing to be worried about. The pen was
secure, the birds were just fine, in fact, as energetic as all get out, and
the CraneCam was none the worse for wear.
At the moment, the weather here is a scaled down version of yesterday's,
with the exception of the temperature. As a result, the precipitation can't
decide whether it wants to be rain or snow. The wind is having no problem
figuring things out however. It is happy to drive either form of moisture
sideways as hard as it can.
You know how the song goes... Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go, let it snow...let it snow...let it snow
And if you for one minute believe that's even remotely what we're
thinking... you need to back off the egg nog.
Date:
December 25,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
The OM Team
Subject:
WE WISH
YOU A.....
Location:
Here and There
To all Craniacs, and to Craniacs-to-be...
OM's Board of Directors and staff send you
their wishes for a warm and wonderful Christmas. We hope you have a happy
and safe holiday with friends and loved ones.
Date:
December 24,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
VIRGINIA
EVENT PLANNED
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
For our friends and Craniacs in Virginia.....mark your calendars
USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center's Dr. John French will be giving a
lecture in Reston, VA on Wednesday January 6, 2010 at 7:00pm.
Entitled,
‘Flight from Extinction: Helping Whooping Cranes Survive,’ Dr. French will
describe the remarkable journey of survival that begins before Whooping
crane chicks are even hatched and ends with taking flight behind an
ultralight aircraft to learn a migration route. For details visit:
USGS Public Lecture
Series
Date:
December 24,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WATCHING
THEM GROW
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
It's
not going to be very pleasant here today. Already the Jamboree is doing a
little rock n' roll as the alternating SE and ESE winds buffet my motorhome.
The overnight rain has stopped, but the weatherman says it will be back in
spades shortly. He's calling for thunderstorms in fact, so I guess I'd
better break out the rainsuit for my time at the CraneCam today.
As I
watch the birds while I am at the camera, I can't help but marvel at how big
and how white they have become. It seems like it has been no time at all
since they looked like this. Almost impossible believe these little brown
fuzz balls can mature into majestic, five foot tall white birds.
Date:
December 23,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WARM AND
UNEVENTFUL
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The frosty mornings are gone, blown away by the strong but warm southeast
winds. It was in the mid 40's by lunch time but it is not going to hit the
predicted high of 58F. No complaints here though. The 'departed crew' are
all in snow, so there is some small consolation to spending Christmas in
Alabama.
Our Whooper kidlets continue to be an energetic lot. They pace
back and forth, back and forth, and, if the wind kicks up a bit, some will
leap into the air and sort of do a low flying run from on side of the pen to
the other. This morning they were attacking a new pumpkin. Doesn't take them
long to demolish it.
A short trip to the service station to get gas for the generator which
charges the CraneCam was all the excitement I had today. A nice, quiet,
uneventful day, and, as Martha Stewart would say, "...that's a good thing."
Date:
December 22,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ALL'S
QUIET
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The last two mornings have been sufficiently nippy to produce frost. As I
scraped the windshield for the run down to the pensite I sent out little
pleading messages to the CraneCam..."please don't be frozen... please work."
And so far so good. With 3 pairs of socks in my rubber boots and the rest of
me layered up to keep warm, I'm sure I look like a Roly Poly toy as I tromp
through the long grass and down the hill.
On my next trip, which is at ~10:45AM, it's been a different story. By
then the sun has been out, and if it wasn't for the wind, it would be almost
warm enough to be out in a sweatshirt. It makes it very pleasant to sit and
drive the camera for the 3:00 to 4:00pm viewing period. Who would ever have
thought I'd be grateful for south winds?!?!
The Class of 2009 is doing just fine. If you've been watching the
CraneCam you will have seen they are quite an active bunch. By this morning
they had finally managed to decimate the big pumpkin left them on Sunday,
and they were working on a newly left squash.
The birds are enjoying playing with the extra foot baths that have been
put in the pen; pounding them, tipping them, and moving them around. The
funniest sight was when one of the birds, having upended a tub, jumped on
top of it and did the Whooping crane version of clogging. I had to put both
hands over my mouth to suppress a giggle.
With four trips to the CraneCam daily, and a ton of 'real' work to do,
the day flies by. And with just Geoff, Robert, and I left in camp, it is so
quiet that it brings to mind the line, "Not a creature was stirring, not
even a mouse" from the poem Twas The Night Before Christmas. While the
absence of the busy down day bustle of a dozen people coming and going was
almost disconcerting yesterday, today it just feels peaceful.
As Geoff, Robert and I each reside in different motorhomes, we have so
far had only 'sightings' of one another; while on a foray to the facilities,
or, as one of them sets off for a roost check or me to the CraneCam. Geoff
is a Transformer buff which keeps him entertained. He is also heavily into -
dare I say addicted - computer games, and can seldom be pried away. Robert
enjoys movies, and has a pile of DVDs stocked up to help him while away the
evenings. As for me, I'm a voracious reader, and once my laptop is shut
down for the night, it's not long before my nose is buried in a book.
Frankly, the quiet and a bit of solitude are welcome. Mind you it's only
day two of the holiday break, so I may end up changing my tune before this
week-long hiatus is over.
Date:
December 21,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
ANNOUNCEMENT
Location:
Main Office
For four years now, Beverly Paulan has been in charge of the welfare of the
birds while they are in Operation Migration’s care. The fact that you can
say all that in one short sentence does not give adequate credit for the
amount of work it entails.
Bev, like Brooke, spends her entire year with
the birds, beginning when they hatch at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in
Maryland. They, and our interns join the rest of the team in Necedah in the
summer, and are part of the migration team during the fall. When the rest of
us go home at the end of that arduous journey, Bev and Brooke stay to
monitor the flock at the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida.
Apart from her work with the birds, Bev has helped us keep our growing
web audience informed with regular updates from the field. She has also
assisted our education and outreach efforts by promoting the project in
schools.
Before joining us, Beverly ran a flight school and once owned an air
charter business. First and foremost Beverly is a pilot, and speaking from
experience, I know that can not be denied for long. Shortly after accepting
a position with OM she was offered a flying job with the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR). Despite the fact that it was her
dream job, she wanted to work with cranes, so she turned it down. That offer
was reiterated recently, and the temptation was too much.
Beverly will be leaving OM in January to join the WI DNR flight team and
we wish her well. She made a great contribution to OM over the years, but
this new job will let her mix wildlife and flying, and even allow her to get
home once in a while. Can’t say as we blame her but she will be missed.
Date:
December 21,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
DISCOMBOOBALATED
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
After more than two months of hopping from bed to the outdoors to check the
wind/weather while waiting for my laptop to boot up, this morning felt very
strange. With no need to do either to determine what had to be done, and in
what order, I spent my first 10 waking minutes being totally 'discomboobalated'.
(A perfectly good word according to my Grandmother.)
Habits die hard
though, so on my way to the 'facilities', I stopped to take note of the
American flag atop the nearby pole. The breeze out of the SSE had it
snapping and waving straight out.
A cup of coffee later, sense and order were restored and my day began in
earnest. As much as I rather be migrating, I have to admit that having a few
days to concentrate on reducing my backlog of 'regular' work feels almost
like someone has given me a present. It's been just one day short of 11
weeks since I left the office and home, and if I don't relieve some of the
paperwork/email build-up/pressure I'm afraid the dam will burst.
Right now however, it is time to find my rubber boots and layer up (frost
this morning) for the trek down to the CraneCam. C'mon back here later this
morning for more OM news.
Date:
December 20,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
EASTERN
MIGRATORY POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
On Migration - Where are they now?
The Eastern Migratory Population (EMP) is currently estimated to consist of
48 males and 37 females, for a total of 85 birds. All the Whooping cranes in
the EMP are on migration. According to WCEP trackers, as of December 12,
there were two Whooping cranes in each of Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama, South
Carolina, and Georgia. Eight birds were in Tennessee, 33 in Indiana, the
locations of 27 birds were unknown, and seven cranes are long-term missing.
WCEP Tracker Jess Thompson visited with us last evening and let us know that
712 and 829, both males, had reached Florida.
Date:
December 20,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
BREAKING
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
With the inability to fly a migration leg this morning, and the advent of
several days of south winds, the decision has been made to stand down for a
few days to allow members of the migration crew to travel home to be with
family and friends for the holidays. In fact, with the very long drives
ahead of them, most have already left and are on their way.
Intern Geoff Tarbox, Patuxent’s Robert Doyle, and I, will hold down the fort
here in Franklin County, AL. Geoff and Robert will tend to the Class of 2009,
and I to the CraneCam in addition to my regular duties.
The entire team will reconvene on Monday, December 28th for what we hope
will be a ‘fly day’ on Tuesday, December 29th.
The CraneCam’s regular schedule of live broadcasts will remain unchanged,
that is, mornings from 7:00 to 11:00 CST, and from ~3:00 to 4:00 afternoons.
As usual, I will continue to post entries here in the Field Journal as
information of interest, or news comes in.
After tomorrow morning, EarlyBird emails will be suspended until December
29th.
Date:
December 20,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 66 = DOWN DAY #3
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
We had too much of a good thing this morning. Desirable northwest winds, but
both on the surface and aloft they were way too strong for cranes and
planes. There are a bunch of disappointed faces in camp as you can imagine.
So much for yesterday evening's optimism.
Today will be Down Day #3 in
Franklin County, AL.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen FRANKLIN COUNTY,
al Dismals Canyon is located in the town of Phil Campbell. It is a
privately owned nature conservatory designated as a National Natural
Landmark by the National Park Service. Dismals Canyon features a natural
swimming pool and natural shelters used by various Native American tribes
for over 10,000 years.
Nature trails, rare luminous insects, and natural rock formations also
are attractions. "National Geographic Map Guide to Appalachia" and the April
2005 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine featured Dismals Canyon.
The canyon was selected as one of the shooting locations for the filming of
the Discovery Channel special, "When Dinosaurs Roamed America". Its
vegetation and broad leaf trees are typical of those that existed in the
dinosaur age some 100 to 200 million years ago. The canyon's tall trees and
ferns are similar to fossils paleontologists have found near dinosaur
relics.
Date:
December
19,2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
We're hoping for a flight in the morning. The winds are out of the
northwest, and while this afternoon they still look as if they might be a
tad strong aloft, we are optimistic about our chances.
C'mon out for the departure (we hope) flyover. The viewing location is
at the airport's old parking lot - just off Hwy 243, right beside the fuel
tanks. You will want to be on site for 7am. Also remember that you could make
the early morning trip for naught if the weather/wind turns out to be
unfavorable.
The first
100 people will receive a gift of a pair of binoculars. They are compliments
of one of our generous sponsors, Southern Company.
Date:
December 19,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Don & Paula Lounsbury
Subject:
Top Cover Pilots’ report of
December 4th’s flight
Location:
Florida
Friday, December 4th began like every other migration day with an early
start on a very cold, calm morning. We made our way to the Effingham airport
to prepare our aircraft for the morning flight of overseeing the cranes and
ultralights on another leg south on migration.
As we completed our
preflight checks, we quickly removed the wing covers, now heavy with frost,
and stowed them in our car parked in the adjacent lot. The covers would have
to wait until we returned to be properly defrosted and repacked. We had to
keep moving before more frost formed on the now exposed flying surfaces.
Just before 7:00 AM, we were airborne as the rising sun was shyly peeking
out from the eastern horizon. In the pale light, we made our way to the
pensite where we would begin our observation duties and found the
ultralights still on the ground with their frost covers in place. We began
to circle the field to wait until conditions were right for the ultralight
crews, and, in the meantime, made some airborne message relays to and from
the pilots and the crew at the pen; to Heather and Liz at the public flyover
location; and, to Bev and Sharon in the tracking van.
At last, everyone was ready and the birds were released from the pen.
Brooke was leading, and before long the entire flock formed a trail of
pearls off his right wing. We watched as he led them over a small crowd
assembled on the ground and treated the stalwart early-risers to a sunrise
spectacle. And ,so began another day on migration.
For over an hour we made large shallow circles high above the ultralights
until the decision was made to overfly the first planned stop and proceed to
next stopover on the route. It was a break we sorely needed. At last, the
Weather Gods were on our side. When, at last, the stopover site came into
view Richard went ahead and landed, creating an arrival target for Brooke
and the birds.
Reluctant to end their idyllic morning flight, the birds lazily continued
to circle even after the others were waiting for them on the ground. It was
our favorite kind of morning. The weather was excellent and the birds
cooperated beautifully, giving us nothing much to do but observe. It was
perfect.
We said our goodbyes and, “We’ll see you later,” and turned northward to
retrace our flight to our car and motorhome waiting for us 100 miles away.
We looked forward to having a shower and breakfast, walking our dog, and
preparing to join the crew at the Sturgis airport, our new rendezvous point.
Remarking at what a great flight we’d just had, we were not prepared for
what happened next. The engine suddenly surged and then became very quiet.
The next three or four minutes were both interminably long and incredibly
short. We, unfortunately, found ourselves in a large muddy field upside down
but, fortunately, were completely unharmed. What followed was a flurry of
activity with the “first responders” of White county arriving on the scene
quickly and efficiently.
Kudos to these wonderful, dedicated people. Our thanks, also, goes to the
occupant of a nearby home who had some unexpected guests who needed to use
the phone And thanks , too, to the property owner who helped immensely over
the next few days.
We now find ourselves in our Florida condo doing what everyone else does;
that is, to tune into the daily updates on the OM website to see how the
cranes and planes are progressing.
Note:We are happy to be able to tell you that within a couple
of weeks, Don Lounsbury will team up with Top Cover pilot Jack Wrighter, and
to return to the migration. We'll be thrilled to have them back with us.
Date:
December 19,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 65 = DOWN DAY #2
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The wind was almost with us this morning, WNW 4mph on the surface but
gusting to +9mph. Between the low ceiling and the stiff winds aloft however,
it was not favorable for planes and cranes. It wasn't even a day for a test
trike.
Today will be Down Day #2 in Franklin County, AL.
Date:
December 18,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Our weather guru, Chris Gullikson, thinks our chances for a flight tomorrow
are about 60-40. The weatherman is still calling for rain, but the radar
shows it moving through pretty quickly. It appears as though we should have
favorable winds, that is out of the northwest, both on the surface and
aloft. It also looks like the weather at our next stopover site will be even
more favorable than what we may end up departing in.
60-40...not great
odds, but better by a long shot than have zero chance.
Date:
December 18,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOOD
BUFFALO - ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Tom Stehn, Whooping Crane Coordinator at the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge, advised he was increasing his population estimate to 244.
Tom
wrote, "Since my last census flight on December 10th, I have received
confirmed reports of six more Whooping cranes in the Aransas-Wood Buffalo
population, including two more chicks. As a result, the estimated flock size
of 238 has now been increased to 244 (223 adults + 21 chicks).
"The 21 chicks accounted for indicate very good survival from the 22 that
fledged in Canada," Stehn said.
Tom's next census flight may not occur until early in January during which
he expressed a hope of detecting at least a few more cranes; at least
sufficient to reach the 247 birds that were present at Aransas last spring.
Date:
December 18,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Erin Harris
Subject:
Advantages to Down Days
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Even though we’re anxious to get to Florida, there are some advantages to
having down days. One of them is being able to recover from the previous
migrating day, and the other is the ability to go exploring.
Excluding
Florida, without this job, I would have probably never have traveled to any
of the seven states we drive/fly through. I certainly never would’ve seen
them the way I am seeing them now. Before this, I had never been to
Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, or Tennessee.
The down days give me an opportunity to actually explore our location.
Even if it’s simply going to the nearest city for dinner, that’s a new
experience. I certainly would never have had the pleasure of eating great
catfish or discovering Caramel Pie.
When winds kept us on the ground, yet again in Hardin Co. TN (Wed. Dec.
16), the entire OM crew went out for breakfast. Bev mentioned that she and
Brooke were going to the Shiloh Battlefield, and asked if anyone else was
interested in going. Of course I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. Once
we were all finished and ready to go, Brooke, Bev, Geoff, Robert Doyle (from
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center), and I piled in the truck and headed for
the Battlefield.
When we got there, we all watched the introductory video about the
Battle. The battle took place from Sunday, April 6, 1862 to Monday, April 7,
1862, and for many years was considered one of the bloodiest battles in the
history of the United States. With Brooke as the driver of our tour truck,
we drove around the Battlefield, stopping at various important spots.
One of the major fights took place in a field called The Hornet’s Nest,
where on April 6, the Union and Confederate soldiers fought a bloody battle.
After about 7 hours, the Confederate army surrounded the Union soldiers,
giving them no choice but to surrender. The next day, the Union army
regrouped and forced the Confederate army to retreat. This allowed the Union
army to eventually push on to Mississippi.
We also stopped at some of the monuments where Generals Wallace and
Johnston fell, and where Union and Confederate soldiers camped. After
exploring the Battlefield a little further, we headed off to see one of my
favorite spots, the Shiloh Indian Mounds.
The Shiloh Indian Mounds are located on the Battlefield. The trail
through the town is 1.1 miles, and leads you through a Native American camp
to the Tennessee River. The camp has multiple platform mounds of clay of
various heights, where they built their homes. The size and location of the
mound indicated your status in the community. The higher the mound, the
bigger your house, the closest your mound was to water, the higher your
status.
The highest and biggest mound where the Ceremonial House stood was
closest to the river. When we walked to the top of the 25 foot mound, we got
a breathtaking view of the Tennessee River and the valleys on the other
side. I have never seen anything like it. It was absolutely gorgeous! After
we all ate a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we headed back to camp.
As much as I love working with the chicks, it is the extras that make
this job even more special. After all, I don’t get the chance to meet
wonderful people, like our hosts, or explore a historic landmark with a
raging river and luscious green valleys behind it every day.
Date:
December 18,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 64 = DOWN DAY #1 IN FRANKLIN CO. TN
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
The weather can play havoc with more than just our ability to fly. This
morning it's affecting our internet signal as well, which is why this report
of our being down today is a little later than usual.
The rain that began
overnight continues to fall today, and may stay with us through and into
Saturday. The crew is taking advantage of the down day to tour the NASA
facility in Huntsville, AL, an opportunity arranged for them by our good
friend and Craniac, Fred Applegate. While they are gone, Richard, Robert,
Heather and I are 'holding down the fort'.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen FRANKLIN COUNTY,
al The town of Belgreen, population 2000, is distinguished by the myths
passed on through oral tradition in the community. Whether the stories are
true or not isn't important, as they are part of a rich tradition of Alabama
storytelling that truly keeps Belgreen immortal, no matter how small the
community is. Moses Hollow in a low-lying stretch of road has a reputation
of being "haunted." If you were to leave your car in neutral at the bottom
of the hill, a ghost will push you up the hill and leave handprints on the
back bumper - or so the story goes.
Another common legend among Belgreen natives depicts an
incident in which a caravan of circus animals was wrecked on Old Highway 24.
Thus, many non-native animals were freed in some parts of the community. For
example, stories have existed for years about a giant grizzly bear in the
area. Many residents have claimed to have seen the Belgreen Bear, but very
few actual accounts and pictures of the bear have surfaced.
Date:
December 17,
2009 - Entry 6
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
That "R" word appears to be looming in our future. Easterly winds carrying
precipitation are headed our way and that weather could linger as long as
into Saturday. Even if we were lucky enough to be able to sneak out of
Franklin County ahead of any rain in the morning, a flight wouldn't be
possible. The rain is forecast to begin at our next stopover location in
Walker County by sometime this evening.
We think our odds of being able to depart Franklin County tomorrow are
zero.
Date:
December 17,
2009 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Richard van Heuvelen
Subject:
RICHARD'S
LEAD PILOT FLIGHT REPORT
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Distance:
57 miles
(Hardin Co. TN - Franklin Co. AL)
Accumulated Distance:
702 miles
With head winds predicted for 10 to 15 miles per hour, it was looking
like a miss again this morning, but the wind was calm so we decided to test
the air. Once airborne, we found a ground speed of about 30 miles per hour
down low and 25 higher up. This would give us a little over two hours flight
time.
After landing at the pensite I turned on my vocalizer, got into position,
gave Erin and Geoff the thumbs up, and we were off. We slowly climbed
through the valley, rock walls on the left and a treed hill on the right.
/The valley curved to the left, and we were soon out of sight of the pen
with the valley below widening out.
Two birds were lagging behind so we circled around to pick them up with
the valley floor below, and the flyover site full of people above us up on
the cliff. As the birds caught up, we turned up the valley and began to
climb out of it before turning on course.
As we climbed and headed on course the head wind increased, but it was
necessary to keep climbing to avoid the rougher air below. As we climbed,
the rough air seemed to follow us up, but it did slowly get smoother and the
birds followed faithfully.
An hour into the flight and we had just made twenty miles; to turn back
would have been easy. But the young birds seemed eager to follow so we
continued on, feeling it would be better to land out than go back. With some
altitude below us we continued on with the air not perfect, but smoother and
slower.
Slowly the miles ticked by. Normally on a good day it's about a mile
every minute, to a minute and a half. But today it was about three to four
minutes per mile; agonizingly slow. The real estate wasn’t exactly zipping
by below us but fortunately the birds didn’t seem to notice or care, which
was unusual. I guess having not met our hosts or any other locals in Hardin
County, they were not as fond of the local countryside as the crew was.
At times the ground speed slowed down to below 15mph. I would anxiously
look back at the birds expecting them to turn back. Once in a while they
would start to fall back and I would have to slow down or descend slightly
to let them catch up. Twice they began to wander on their own, but would
turn back as the trike did a couple of slight turns without getting to far
off course.
Determined, we kept on, despite the dismal ground speed crossing the
Tennessee river where we found more headwind and rougher air. Some birds
were beginning to tire, flying with their mouths open, which made me more
aware of potential landing spots. But as we crossed over the mountainous
terrain we came upon a stretch of flat land that seemed to give us lift, and
even though I was trying to descend to allow the birds some rest, we
continued to climb - some times as much as five hundred feet per minute.
This gave the birds some much needed rest and soon their mouths closed
and we continued to climb. This worked out to be very advantageous and we
were able to fly a little faster. But it didn’t last . We were about 15
miles out when the changing terrain brought rougher air again and the birds
began to struggle with the wing. Easing them along, we began a slow decent
at about seven miles out and were at tree top level by the time we reached
our destination in Franklin County.
After circling the site a few times we landed near a small marshy pond
where we held the birds while the pen was set up. With the long slow flight
it felt like we had stolen 2nd and 3rd base only to hit a home run. Woo Hoo!!!
Date:
December 17,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
ON THE
GROUND IN ALABAMA!
Location:
Franklin Co. AL
Here we are at long last at our first stop in Alabama. Richard was lead
pilot this morning, and watchers had a picture perfect view of the post
launch from the viewing stand at Horse Creek Wildlife Refuge and Animal
Sanctuary. As Richard lead all 20 birds in the Class of 2009 along and out
of the valley, two straggled behind. Eventually they turned back toward the
pen, but Richard swooped around - all the other 18 in tow - and picked up
the two wayward birds on his wing. They turned and gave us a beautiful view
as they disappeared over the trees.
We know that the cranes and planes had
a very slow and likely very rough flight this morning. Hopefully Richard
will tell us the whole tale in his lead pilot update.
Top Left: Richard and the Class of 2009 just after launch from
the pen.
Top Right: Getting 'organized', not quite on the wing as
yet.
Bottom Left: Our view as the young cranes flew by our elevated
viewing location this morning.
For those interested in attending the Franklin County departure flyover,
here is the location information.
The
kind folks at the Russellville Airport have agreed to allow us to use a part
of their property for the departure flyover. The viewing location will be
the old airport parking lot. It is just off Hwy 243, right beside the fuel
tanks. You will want to be on site by 7am. Also remember that you could make
the early morning trip for naught it the weather/wind turns out to be
unfavorable for a flight tomorrow morning.
Departure
morning, (be that when it may out of Franklin County and every county
throughout Alabama) we have a gift for the first 100 flyover viewers at each
site compliments of one of our terrific sponsors, Southern Company.
More in a later update.
Date:
December 17,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 63
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
We're off to Alabama. REALLY rough and slow flight underway. Stay tuned.
Date:
December 17, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
LOSSES
COVERED
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Few of us at Operation Migration have the luxury of having only one
responsibility. Along with working with birds, we have the added obligation
of school presentations, equipment design or aircraft maintenance, and more.
Of all the jobs that a non-profit requires of its staff and volunteers none
are as challenging as raising the funds needed to make it all happen.
There are those with a natural talent for engendering benevolence in others.
Born with the capacity to inspire people to support a worthwhile cause they
are in high demand and as rare as Whooping cranes. Teaching birds to migrate
and leading them south takes hard work and lots of patience, but is not
rocket science. Fundraising however requires pure talent.
After struggling all year to generate enough money to cover our costs it
seem counterintuitive to ask you to stop, but that is what we are about to
do.
Operation Migration is blessed with a munificent support base who follow
our slow progress south. With each obstacle we face, or setback we endure,
our Craniacs step forward and dig deeper to help us meet the challenge of
the day.
The break-in at the hangar in Necedah is an example of that support. The
senselessness of that act angered many people, and motivated some to send in
donations to cover the losses. As a non-profit we are unable to collect
money for the personal property that Brooke, Bev, Richard and Geoff lost,
but then we started to receive checks endorsed directly to them.
An article in Canada’s largest newspaper prompted a donation from the TD
Friends of the Environment Foundation, a donation large enough to pay for
the damaged wings. Between the Necedah Lion’s Club, the Juneau County Crime
Stoppers and two OM supporters the reward for information leading to the
arrest of the perpetrators is now up to $3000.
Although the break-in is still disturbing, we have now received enough
money to cover all of our losses, OM's and those of our team members. We
would like to thank you all for your kindness and generosity.
In fact we will be returning some of the personal checks with a letter
expressing our sincere thanks. In good conscience we can not accept any more
donations for the losses incurred as a result of the break-in, but that does
not mean we are fully funded for all the rest of our expenses. We still have
half the migration to complete (MileMaker has 300+ unsponsored miles) and
next generation will begin hatching in less than 5 months. Your support is
critical to safeguarding Whooping cranes and we are truly grateful.
Date:
December 17, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
REWARD
TRIPLED FOR INFORMATION ON SHOOTING
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Wildlife law enforcement agents with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources continue their joint
investigation of the shooting of Whooping crane 217*. She is the First
Family matriarch, who, along with mate 211, are the only Whooping cranes in
the Eastern Migratory Population who thus far have successfully reared
young.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service special agents are conducting a joint
investigation into the shooting incident which took place near the town of
Cayuga in central Vermillion County, Indiana. In addition to the Endangered
Species Act, Whooping cranes are protected by state laws and the federal
Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
It was announced yesterday that in addition to the initial $2500 reward
posted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, contributions from two
organizations have tripled the reward for information leading to the arrest
and conviction of the person or persons who shot and killed 217*.
Defenders of Wildlife, a national non-profit conservation organization, and
the Indiana Turn in a Poacher or a Polluter Program have each donated $2,500
bringing the total reward monies to $7,500.
Anyone with information should call the Indiana Department of Natural
Resources 24- hour hotline at: 1-800 TIP IDNR
(800-847-4367), or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 317-346-7016. Callers
can remain anonymous.
“To kill and abandon one of 500 remaining members of species shows a lack of
reverence for life and an absence of simple common sense,” said John
Christian, FWS Assistant Regional Director for Migratory Birds. “It is
inconceivable that someone would have such little regard for conservation.”
Date:
December 16,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
We have a much improved forecast for tomorrow. Without wanting to jinx
things, it looks like a sure bet that we'll be leaving Hardin County, TN for
Franklin County, AL in the morning.
Once again, here's the flyover site
information.
The viewing location is off 13780 Hwy 69 South, Savannah, TN on the property
of Horse Creek Wildlife Refuge and Animal Sanctuary. Use the
entrance marked 'North Gate' (which will be opened by 6:45am) and follow
the road in and to the right going down the hill. Turn right where the sign
says Watermelon Hill, and proceed up the hill to the viewing stands.
Date:
December 16, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 62
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Wish I had better news. We had a nice cold 22F this morning and what we
thought were reasonable surface winds out of the NNE. What we were unsure of
was if the cranes and planes could handle the strength of the NE winds aloft
(~20mph).
The pilots left for where the trikes were hangared at the Savanah airport a
few miles away. Then camp became a ghost town as the rest of us headed out
to take up our positions. The three attempts it took to get out of this site
last year were in the forefront of all our minds as we pulled away.
Chris Gullikson's last words to me before I left for the flyover site
were, "If it's as rough as I think it might be, folks could be in for a long
viewing period." In short, he meant it could be quite a rodeo. As it turns
out there was no rodeo, in fact no flying whatsoever. Joe called from the
airport to say conditions were so poor that it was not even worth putting a
test trike up.
Richard, who was last year's lead pilot out of this location, would have
been on lead again today. He's been taking our good natured ribbing about it
being because he needs the practice, with a grin.
Today will be Down Day #5 in Hardin County, TN. C'mon Tennessee...let our
Whooping cranes go!
Note to CraneCam viewers: We pulled the camera trailer out last
evening in anticipation of a launch this morning as it could have presented
a danger to the birds. In anticipation of a launch tomorrow morning we are
not re-deploying it today, but will take advantage of having it back in camp
to re-charge the batteries and do some routine maintenance. Broadcast
tomorrow will be via the hand-held and the TrikeCam - assuming a flight of
course.
Date:
December 15,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING and FLYOVER INFO
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Wondering at our chances for tomorrow? We should have a nice cold
temperature of ~25F, so that's good. Surface winds are forecast to be 5mph
out of the NNE, and aloft at 15 to 20mph also out of the NNE. Think that
sounds good for a flight? We aren't sure. Chris thinks our odds of flying
tomorrow are 70-30 - that 70 is in our favor.
Our flight path from Hardin County, TN to Franklin County, AL has a
northwest to southeast trajectory. With the NNE winds projected for the
morning we could be a crosswind situation, and, with their strength, also in
for a wild ride.
We're up for the attempt however, so if you'd like to witness what we
hope will be a departure, here's what you need to know.
The viewing location is off 13780 Hwy 69 South, Savannah, TN on the property
of Horse Creek Wildlife Refuge and Animal Sanctuary. Use the
entrance marked 'North Gate' (which will be opened by 6:45am) and follow
the road in and to the right going down the hill. Turn right where the sign
says Watermelon Hill, and proceed up the hill to the viewing stands.
It's
going to be COLD so dress warmly.
Last year's departure took three tries. Here's hoping just one try does the
trick tomorrow.
Date:
December 15,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
COMMUNICATION WARNING - INTERNET AND CELLS
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
At our current location receiving a signal, for both internet and cell
phones, is sketchy at best. Today, reception via air card is out entirely,
our satellite receiver is operating at minimal strength, and cell phone
connections come and go. For this reason we may or may not be able to
post further entries here today. We'll do our best, but can make no
promises.
Date:
December 15,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 61 -
Close but no cigar.
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
The mercury is sinking rapidly. Yesterday's high temp in the low to mid 60's
has given way to almost half that this morning. Yes, that's a good sign of
the winds swinging around to come out of the north. A combination of
negatives will keep us grounded again today though.
However, if the
weather patterns continue to unfold as we believe they will, tomorrow should
be another story. In the meantime, today will be Down Day #4 in Hardin
County, TN.
Date:
December 14,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Slim to none. That's at what Chris Gullikson rates our chance of flying
tomorrow. Our elevation here is 443 feet and it looks like the ceiling will
be down to about 500 feet. Strike one. The winds aloft would have us flying
into a crosswind situation. Strike two. The forecast is calling for dense
fog until at least 10am at our destination. Strike three.
Okay - we're out. Nothing like rubbing our noses in it.
Date:
December 14,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie`
Subject:
DID YOU
KNOW?
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Did you know that more than $300 billion dollars was donated to U.S.
charities in 2007? (Source: Giving USA 2008)
Did you know that on average
in any given year, only 3% of all charitable dollars are directed to
environmental causes (i.e. $9 billion)? And of that 9 billion, only 3% ($270
million) is designated for wildlife conservation?
Wonder where the money comes from?
Individuals gave 82.3% - Foundations 12.6%
- Corporations 5.1%
The year’s biggest gift giving time is fast approaching. We hope, as you
think of what to give to your friends and family, you will also think about
giving to charitable groups, to what every cause is meaningful to you.
We know these aren’t the best of economic times. Many folks are out of
work and are not having an easy time of it. But that doesn’t mean there can
be no giving. When people are hurting it is all the more reason to share,
and ‘checkbook charity’ isn’t the only way to help.
There is no doubt that donations of dollars are vital to keep
organizations operating, but there are other equally as important ways to
give. Offer your time and expertise to an organization in your home town.
Man the phones, help with building repairs, clean their offices once a week,
do filing, run errands, organize a fundraiser; in other words, become a
volunteer. The lack of human resources to do even the simplest of things,
pinches organizations as hard as their limited budgets.
I like to think that what I do and what I give are my contributions
toward helping to create the kind of world I would like there to be
tomorrow. My wish for the holiday season would be for everyone to
give something away; a gift in kind, their time or talent, money - if only a
token amount, or even a gently used toy.
If Operation Migration and the Whooping cranes is one of your ‘causes’
and you are already a MileMaker sponsor, thank you so much. We still have
over 300 unsponsored miles though. Would you share this message with your
friends and colleagues and ask them to help us reach our goal of all 1285
migration miles sponsored?
Date:
December 14,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WELCOMING
A LITTLE ONE
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
If you are waiting for a call, an email, or other service from our Port
Perry office and wondering what could be taking so long, here is your
answer. Chris Danilko, our Office Manager, bookkeeper, and the oil that
keeps the OM engine running smoothly, was off last week.
She and husband
Mike traveled to London, Ontario to help out son Jeff, and new Mom Tanya
with Abagail Machenzie, our newest and littlest OM'er and soon to be Craniac.
Congratulations to Mom, Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa. Lucky Abagail. She's
got the best kind of grandparents - first timers. LOL
Chris was already struggling with a two week backlog, so she'll
undoubtedly be even more swamped now. I know she'd appreciate your patience
as she races to catch up.
Date:
December 14, 2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 60 = DOWN DAY #3
Location:
Hardin Co.
Nothing good to be said for this morning's weather if you're a Whooping
crane trying to migrate south. Warm temp - 50F headed for a high of 61F by
afternoon; high humidity - 93% making breathing difficult; early morning fog; and, daunting 35mph
southwest winds aloft. Today will be Down Day #3 in Hardin County, TN.
Note: For the many of you who have requested a commemorative print of
First Family matriarch, 217*, we have made one available on our OM Gear
webpage.
Click this link to view and place your order.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen HARDIN COUNTY, TN Geologically, Hardin County lies in the Western Valley of the
Tennessee River. The river enters the county at the middle of its southern
border and flows northward in a west to east direction. The western side of
the river, making up one-third of the county's six hundred square miles, is
rich bottomland with some hills and ridges. The land east of the river is
higher, with a steadily increasing elevation moving toward the eastern
boundary. East Hardin County also contains extensive rich bottomland along
the lower portion of several creeks and on the inside of river bends.
Date:
December 13, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
We're not expecting to be able to get out of Dodge...er, Hardin County
tomorrow. The south winds will bring us even warmer temps, which in turn
will give us fog in the morning. Combine that with anticipated 35mph
southwest winds aloft, and ... need I say more?
Date:
December 13,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
CRIMESTOPPERS OFFERS REWARD
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
This afternoon we received a copy of the News Release that was sent out
December 11th by the Juneau County Sherriff's Office regarding the break-in,
vandalism, and theft at our hangar in Necedah.
Date:
December 13, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
GOOD NEWS
AND GREAT NEWS
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
On December 9th, a reporter from the Toronto Star newspaper called for a
telephone interview concerning the recent break in at our Necedah, WI
hangar. Before I go on with this story, you have to appreciate that despite
the idea for ultralight-led migration being initiated by Canadians, and
researched and developed in Ontario, Canada, Operation Migration rarely
attracts any coverage from Canadian media. This makes what I'm about to tell
you even more extraordinary.
The Good News: As a result of the
story appearing in the Toronto Star, several other Ontario media, including
the Scugog community newspaper from OM’s Canadian home base of Port Perry,
have called and have done or are doing articles. Although the stories focus
on the break-in, there is collateral benefit in that they also describe the
work of the reintroduction project.
The Great News: While the entire crew was all sitting down to
breakfast after standing down from December 10th’s aborted flight, my cell
phone rang. The caller was Mary Desjardins, the Executive Director of the
Toronto Dominion Bank’s Friends of the
Environment Foundation.
Mary said, and I quote, “I am happy to offer a donation of $15,000 from
the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation to cover the cost of damages
resulting from vandalism of your Wisconsin hangar. Our team was shocked by
the story in this morning’s Toronto Star and felt moved to take action.
Protecting species at risk is one of our funding focus areas. We hope that
word of this donation may also spur additional donations for your worthwhile
cause.”
Later in the day Mary emailed to tell me that she had since issued a
response to the Toronto Star reporter who wrote the article, (link to it is
below) indicating to him that it was the Foundation’s hope that their
contribution would kick start additional contributions.
And Mary's wish would be our wish too – along with raising greater
awareness for the plight of the Whooping crane with more of the Canadian
public and media. Click here to read the
Toronto Star article.
Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the TD Friends of the Environment
Foundation. They have helped to turn a dark cloud over our heads to one
with a silver lining.
Date:
December 13,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day 59
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
It was already in the mid 40's at 4am this morning so no need to check a
windsock for the wind direction. As for the rest of it, the weatherman was
right again; its the 'R' word, and it's coming down steadily. Aloft, even it
if was blowing in the right direction - which it is not - it's about 10
times as powerful as we like to see.
Today will be Down Day #2 in Hardin County, TN.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen HARDIN COUNTY, TN
The story of Hardin County begins with the prehistoric mound builders of the
Woodland and Mississippian Periods. Savannah, the modern county seat, is
built partially within a wall and trench, and amid a line of fourteen mounds
on a bluff parallel to the Tennessee River.
These prehistoric peoples also built a considerable structure covering
approximately four acres in the northwest corner of the county near
Middleton, and several mounds at Pittsburg Landing in what is now the Shiloh
National Military Park. After the Mississippian era, Hardin County, along
with most of the rest of West Tennessee, became an area shared by various
Indian tribes as a rich hunting ground.
Date:
December 12,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING and HARDIN CO'S FLYOVER VIEWING LOCATION
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Don't get excited. The fact that I am including information on the
departure flyover viewing location in the same Field Journal entry as our
prediction for a flight tomorrow is merely coincidental - not meaningful.
Once again, unfortunately, we are confident we will not be flying
tomorrow. In addition to a continuation of the rain that is currently
falling, we anticipate 30 to 40mph WSW winds aloft at our departure site,
and honking 50 to 60mph winds approaching and over our destination.
HARDIN COUNTY DEPARTURE FLYOVER VIEWING SITE Again this year, the
kind and generous folks at Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Refuge
are allowing us to use their viewing area for our departure flyover.
While we aren’t sure what day that will happen, (for sure it will not be
tomorrow) here is the address.
The viewing location is off 13780 Hwy 69 South, Savannah, TN. Use the
entrance marked 'North Gate' (which will be unlocked by 6:45am) and follow
the road in and to the right going down the hill. Turn right where the sign
says Watermelon Hill, and proceed up the hill to the viewing stands.
Don't
forget to dress warmly - and also remember, that you could make the trip for
naught if it turns out that conditions are such that the cranes and planes
are unable to fly. Last year it took us three attempts before we made a
successful departure.
Check
back here late each afternoon/early evening for our best guess about
our chances for a flight the following day.
Date:
December 12,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Chris Gullikson
Subject:
LEAD
PILOT REPORT - DEC 11TH FLIGHT
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Distance:
67 miles
(Carroll Co. TN - Hardin Co. TN)
Accumulated Distance:
645 miles
We have arrived in beautiful Hardin County, Tennessee and it looks like we
could be here for several days waiting for the right wind and weather
conditions. It is a great place to be stuck for several days though, and it
appears we might get a few days of warmer weather to get out and appreciate
the local sights.
To recap yesterday’s flight, I first want to go back to
Thursday morning and talk about the weather. We had a cold front that moved
through Wednesday night bringing us much colder air on northwest winds. High
pressure was building in from the west behind the cold front, and we were
all hoping for a flight with a good potential to skip our Hardin County site
and continue on into Alabama. While the winds did settle down by sunrise
under clear skies, they were still in the 5-10mph range, which is often a
sign of rough air aloft.
The four of us got airborne at sunrise and found the air turbulent up to
about 600 feet where it finally smoothed out. I was surprised to find only a
4mph tailwind component in the strong west winds at 1000 feet. Our expected
50-60mph groundspeed was not there, making the flight longer then originally
anticipated.
With cold air advecting aloft from the northwest winds creating steep
lapse rates and clear skies allowing the surface of the Earth to warm
quickly - we knew we would be having thermal activity early, and the winds
were already at our upper limit of flying with cranes. It was going to be
quite a challenge climbing the birds through 600 feet of rough air, dealing
with thermal activity, and mechanical turbulence later on in the flight. As
a result, we all agreed that Friday would be a down day.
Friday was a completely different day weather-wise. High pressure was
just to our east, and the air was almost stagnant. Aloft it was out of the
southwest and would be coming from the southeast as out flight progressed. A
layer of stratus at several thousand feet had moved in during the early
morning hours and would block the suns rays, eliminating any thermal
activity.
The temperature was once again COLD - in the teens I think - requiring
several layers including turtle necks, sweatshirts, vests, and finally the
snowmobile bibs and jacket. Through continued trial and error we all have
found the right combination of protection for our hands, feet ,and faces. On
a long flight in 2007I got mild frostbite on my nose, making it much more
susceptible to cold air, so I am careful to keep it covered with a fleece
balaclava. Richard and I have heated grips on the control bar of our trikes,
and we all use air activated heat pads in strategic locations when we fly in
these cold temps.
My turn to lead!! Getting aloft I was delighted to find the air
absolutely smooth. We had a 3mph headwind component at 500 feet, but in such
cold, smooth air, the birds would easily be able to fly for several hours
with the help of the vortex of air generated by the wing.
The pen's location in a rain soaked field required that an air pickup be
employed. While Erin and Geoff listened on the radio, I did a slow approach
from the west towards the pen and called for a release as I approached from
about 300 yards away. The young cranes have had some recent experience at
this technique, and all were quickly airborne and flying to the east in
front of me.
I was able to drop in front of them, flying right at 34mh and just above
stall. Like any athlete, it takes several minutes to stretch the muscles
out, get the blood pumping, and find their aerobic rhythm for long distance
flying. 34mph is just not slow enough for many of these cranes, and they
were falling back behind me and turning back to the familiarity of the pen.
I turned to gather them back on the wing, and once again turned south
where a group of Craniacs waited in the chilly air at the flyover site.
Three times I had to go back, as one crane would break off my wing, taking
the rest of the flock with it. It can be quite difficult trying to get an
accurate count of cranes while flying at stall at low altitude, and I was
glad to have Walt and Erin and Heather radio to me that I had all 20 in tow.
The rodeo was short lived, and I was soon passing over the flyover event
with eight on my left and twelve on my right, climbing strongly in the glass
smooth air.
(CraneCam screen capture by Fred Wasti)
I have noticed for the first time this year, that the cranes seem to
prefer to fly on the upwind side of the trike. We had a light quartering
wind from the southwest, making the trike crab to the right of the actual
flight path, and soon after getting on course, all the birds were flying on
the right wing. The occasional bird would fly over to the left wing and get
a free ride, but would usually move back over to the right side.
I have noticed this over the last 3 flights, perched behind whoever has
the group of 20 on their windward wing. About half way into the flight we
must have crossed the axis of the high pressure center and the winds backed
from the southwest to the southeast. The crab angle was rather slight, and I
really didn’t notice the change, but all the birds suddenly surged out in
front of the trike, crossed over and settled into formation on the left
side. Richard was the first to comment that the crab angle had changed, and
it just solidified my impression that these birds like the windward wing.
This was turning into a long flight. At departure we were looking at just
under 2 hours to reach Hardin County, TN. Brooke and Richard were keeping
track of the winds aloft, and advised me that climbing was not helping their
groundspeed. I plodded along at about 1000 feet above the ground with my
groundspeed slowly dropping as the wind became more southerly.
The GPS clicks off time to the next destination, we were 1 hour and 45
minutes to our destination and 30 minutes later it showed 1 hour and 40
minutes. With my ground speed falling off into the low 20’s, the landscape
below just seemed to at a standstill. Flying in a chase position a few
hundred feet above and behind me, Richard radioed to me that he had a
slightly better ground speed at his altitude, and I was able to coax the
birds up another 500 feet to lessen my headwind component and pick my speed
up to about 27mph.
Eventually our Hardin County location came into view. I pulled the bar
in, reduced the engine RPM, and began a slow decent from 5 miles out. The
cranes were locked onto the wing in the smooth air and most were gliding in
tight formation, trading altitude for airspeed and getting a break from
their long flight.
(TrikeCam screen capture of lead pilot Chris Gullikson by Nancy Maciolek
Blake)
Richard and Brooke landed ahead of me in the long valley, and without any
thermal lift for the cranes to enjoy, they quickly descended with me and
landed, vocalizing their loud and excited peeps and looking for treats in
the field.
Bev and Sharon in the tracking van were slightly delayed after
encountering a closed road blocking their path across the river, but after I
helped Brooke lead the cranes away to a hiding spot, and walked to the
northwest side of the valley, I found that with Richard's help, they were
well underway with setting up the pen.
Bev gave Richard and I a ride back to our trikes and she and Sharon
retreated to watch from above the valley, ready to track should the birds
decide to take off while they were being led to the pen.
I put my costume on and wandered down the valley along a small creek in
search of Brooke and the cranes. I found them in the shallow creek enjoying
a refreshingly cold bath. No…Brooke was not taking a bath. When Brooke
spotted me from a distance, he began to lead them away from the bank of the
shallow creek. There were a few stragglers in the water, but they soon
followed us as we began the long two mile walk back to the pen.
We kind of figured they would not be willing to walk the whole two miles,
and sure enough, 16 birds were soon airborne and flying big circuits around
us. Richard was waiting in his trike and took off when he saw the birds
flying overhead, getting them on his wing and trying to lure them over to
the pen and the air that was now becoming a bit thermally under clearing
skies.
As Brooke and I made our way back to our trikes with the four cranes who
stayed with us, we figured it would be much easier to just fly over to the
pen instead of walk the mile and a half that remained. While he took off to
fly the four cranes over, I went to put my flying gear back on behind the
cover of a large tree. I came back surprised to find 905 hanging out around
my trike so I started up and flew her over to the rest of her buddies.
With all the cranes safely in their pen with fresh food and water, it was
time for us to put our bird gear away and get some food in our bellies. We
made the short flight over to the Hardin County airport where a huge hangar
awaited our trikes and the generous people at the airport had supplied us a
lunch buffet. Like I said, not a bad place to be down for several days!!
Date:
December 12, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOOD
BUFFALO-ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Hardin Co TN
The third aerial census of the 2009-2010 Whooping crane season was
conducted December 10th in a Cessna 210 piloted by Gary Ritchey of Air
Transit Solutions of Castroville, Texas with USFWS observer Tom Stehn.
Sighted on the flight were 211 adults and 19 juveniles for a total of 230
Whooping cranes. This was an increase of 20 cranes since Tom's previous
census, December 2nd. Tom said, "With 230 birds at Aransas and eight known
to still be in migration, we can account for 238 Whooping cranes at this
point. However, I am expecting up to 22 juveniles based on August fledging
surveys done on the nesting grounds by the Canadian Wildlife Service."
With that number of juvenile produced, Tom projects that the flock may
experience a break-even year with a population total of around 247.
Here is the balance of Tom's report. Migration Update: Cold fronts that reached Aransas on December 4th
and 9th helped 20 additional cranes complete their long, 2,400 mile
migration. Additional cranes are known to still be in migration. Four were
present at Quivira NWR on December 7th even though the marshes were about
90% frozen.
Four were recently sighted west of Mad Island Preserve in Matagorda
County, Texas (about 40 miles northeast of Aransas). Two cranes that have
been staying east of Tivoli ~15 miles north of Aransas were located on the
December 10 flight in the Hynes Bay Unit of the Guadalupe Delta Wildlife
Management Area operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Crane Identities: We are not sure if the Lobstick pair has returned
this fall. However, two cranes that may have been the Lobsticks were sighted
on the Lobstick territory on December 9 and 10. If present, the Lobstick
male is 31 years old.
Habitat Use: Tides measured at the refuge boat ramp were high (2.7
feet). Salinities currently at 8 parts per thousand in San Antonio Bay have
dropped noticeably in November and December so that the cranes are drinking
directly from the marsh and have stopped making flights to fresh water
dugouts.
An extremely heavy rain event on November 20th with some coastal areas
getting up to 16 inches has filled refuge dugouts and swales and flooded
portions of the uplands on San Jose Island and Welder Flats. Conditions are
very wet. Since that rain event, some blue crabs seem to have moved into the
marshes, and some cranes have recently been observed catching blue crabs 2-3
inches in size.
However, 65 cranes were sighted on uplands on this latest flight. These
cranes were mostly foraging on patches of bare ground; some flooded and some
dry. This behavior is indicative of a less than optimal food situation for
the cranes. Although some wolfberry flowers are still present in the
marshes, few berries are present, and have stopped making up a significant
part of the crane diet.
An additional five cranes were on a shell road in the uplands. No cranes
were at game feeders or in open bay habitat, and there are currently no
prescribed burns in the crane area. The largest group size observed was
eight birds seen on the uplands on San Jose accompanied by Sandhill cranes.
More black mangrove was noted on Ayes and Roddy Islands.
Flight Conditions: Visibility was good for most of the flight, but
darker overcast skies at times made for somewhat challenging viewing
conditions. Due to limited flight hours, the aircraft was usually kept at
140 knots making it a lively task to find all the cranes. Total flight time
was 4.6 hours and we felt a very good count was achieved despite some crane
movements that had to be sorted out as cranes moved to and from the uplands.
Date:
December 12, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 58 and NEWS RE CRANECAM
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
At 4am the temp was in the 20's and, after all the wind we'd had lately, it
was so calm it was almost eerie. Today's story has less to do with the
weather where we are, and more to do with the weather enroute and where we
are going.
10mph variable winds lay ahead of us, and that's just on the
surface. On top of that, with 90% odds of running into precipitation -
either rain or ice pellets - all smart cranes and planes will stay on the
ground this morning. Today will be Down Day #1 in Hardin County, TN.
CraneCam
We will be deploying the CraneCam as soon as possible this morning. However,
despite camp being up on a hill, our current location is close to being a
cell signal black hole. With it been virtually impossible to maintain a
signal in camp, it remains to be seen if we will be able to secure any kind
of a signal for the CraneCam as the pen is tucked away down in a nearby
valley. I'll post here again re the CraneCam as soon as we know one way or
the other.
Date:
December 11, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Sorry
folks, I have no lead pilot report to post for you. But, thanks to flyover
attendee, John Bendall, I do have a super photo to share.
We were unable
to deploy the CraneCam this afternoon. Heather has been suffering with a
pain in her right side ribcage for some time, and lifting some pumpkins
today did her in. Once we reached Savannah, I drove her to emergency
where x-rays revealed she had a cracked rib and some badly pulled muscles. A
couple of injections later, a stop to fill prescriptions, a quick bite to
eat, and it was off to bed for a very drowsy Miss Heather.
Now for tomorrow. Even if the weatherman isn't 100% right, we can almost
100% guarantee you we will not be able to fly. South winds and rain that may
turn to ice pellets appear to be the order of the day.
We will post the Hardin County flyover departure site here in the Field
Journal tomorrow.
Date:
December 11,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
COOL
STOCKING STUFFER
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Want a unique and cool stocking stuffer for that someone who has everything?
Why not Give a WHOOP! in their name? (The germ for this idea came
from Craniac Chris Linnell - thanks Chris.)
We've even created a 'card'
that you can print out and stuff in their stocking, or stick in a greeting
card or an envelope and and send it off in the mail. (or even send off
electronically) Click this first link to
Give a WHOOP!
and then click this next link to
print out the gift
card. Once posted, your recipient can find their WHOOP! with their name
beside it on the
Honor Roll.
What a great way to tell people that you give a whoop about Whooping
cranes, solve a few gift giving dilemmas, and maybe just turn some people
into a Craniac like you!
Date:
December 11,
2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
THE
JOHNSONS ISSUE A CHALLENGE
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
We have another Give a WHOOP! challenge.
Anna Wrighter Johnson (top cover pilot Jack Wrighter’s sister) and her
husband Jack Johnson, wanted to honor Jack Wrighter's volunteer role with
Operation Migration. They will match every WHOOP! given by someone who has
yet to Give a WHOOP! up to $500.
In their note to us communicating their wish to propose this challenge, Anna
and Jack said, “We are so very proud of Jack, and it is an honor to
contribute to the efforts of such a dedicated group of people. We are
wishing you the best during this migration.”
If you have not yet participated in Give a WHOOP! this is your
opportunity to double the value of your $10 WHOOP! It’s easier than falling
off a log – just click one of the following links to visit the Give a
WHOOP!
Description page or the Give a WHOOP!Details page
Better yet, click this link to go right to where you can give YOURWHOOP!
Date:
December 11,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 57
Location:
Hardin Co. TN
Had to put extra woolies on this morning to deal with the 15F
temperature. Last night's forecast for minimal surface wind held, and the
only possible fly in the ointment was what was waiting for us aloft - a
possible headwind.
The weather models showed winds aloft as light, but there's only
one way to find out what actually is happening at altitude; launching a test trike. That meant we were all galvanized into
the usual early morning scramble. As I drove the several
miles from camp to the flyover location, I hoped the faithful folks who kept
coming out each morning to view our departure actually got to see it today.
Just before 7:30am we saw trikes approaching in the distance, and shortly
thereafter the aviation radio crackled. It was Chris asking the ground crew
to release the birds. What remained to be seen was would the gathering actually get to see
anything. The position of the pen and gates meant a release to the east.
Today's launch was going to be an air pick-up. Would the birds follow and
latch on to lead pilot Chris' wing? A launch to the east lessened our chance
of getting a good flyover view, while a turn to the west enhanced it.
It turned out to be an 'organized' rodeo if that isn't a bit of an
oxymoron. Chris was leading the birds to the southwest to turn on course
when they broke and headed back for the pen. He zoomed wide to get back in
front of them and they grabbed back on to the wing. As he turned again they
followed, but then a group broke away again. Some faithfully followed as
Chris cut the renegades off and gathered them back behind him once more.
After that it was text book. Within a very short distance they were
flying beautifully off both wings, and to the delight of the viewers, flew
right over our heads. We watched until the perfect formation disappeared
from sight.
Having said goodbyes to the little crowd of viewers, it was time to hit
the road - but not before taking a few minutes to see if I could snag a
signal to upload this posting. The answer was, no, despite three attempts.
Once flight was underway, the pen was dismantled and packed
up; the camera trailer hauled out of the field; and trailers hooked up to vehicles for hauling. Within an hour or so all the
‘breaking camp’ duties were accomplished and everyone was on their way.
The decision as to whether a skip is possible is usually made by pilot
consensus as the cranes and planes approach the next stopover. If the
conditions ahead and the birds' performance permit, they sometimes elect to
carry on past the next stopover. This was not the case this morning. The
cranes and planes are all safe on the ground in Hardin County.
This
officially puts us past the halfway mark of the migration, albeit by only
2.5 miles, but we're more than half way nonetheless. As Martha Stewart would
say, "That's a good thing."
Check back here later for this morning's
lead pilot, Chris Gullikson's version of today's story.
Date:
December 10,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Bev Paulan
Subject:
Engine
Gremlins: 3 - OM: 0
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Seems the bad luck just keeps on coming. It’s almost as if someone has
asked for extra helpings of it. And not unlike eating three helpings of
Thanksgiving turkey, I’m stuffed with it. Full to the brim with the bad
luck. Wishing for a trip to the purgatorium to be rid of it.
Yesterday, our morning started out with trying to hold on while getting
dressed in a swaying motorhome. Not swaying in a gentle , isn’t this cozy
way, but more in a holy moly we’re goin’ over way. The winds were howling
out of the northwest across several fields running into nothing until it hit
our snug little home. Riding out a typhoon on a sailboat would have been
less rocky. Thank goodness the occupants of said camper are pilots and love
rollercoasters. No airsick bags were needed!
So right at the get go of the still dark day, we knew we weren’t flying,
so it was off on a quest for pumpkins. The 20 pre-adolescents we are hosting
had gone through all the pumpkins and had sent out an SOS for more, so
Brooke and I mounted up to go retrieve some generously donated unfrozen,
un-squashed squash. Waiting until a more civilized time of day and having
arranged for the pick-up, we set off in the here-to-far trusty tracking van.
After attempting to navigate as Brooke drove (I say attempting because I
was trying to read Brooke’s handwriting), and correcting for a wrong turn,
Brooke suddenly said “It died”. “Who died?” was my response and the quick
answer along with a look that said way more, was “The van, did, Ms. Genius”.
Sure enough with absolutely no warning and definitely no fanfare, the van
just up and quit. No chugging, no squealing, just that awful sudden silence
that goes along with any engine failure.
And if any of you are keeping score, this is now Engine Gremlins 3, OM-0.
Luckily, unlike Chris and Don and Paula, we were already on the ground and
had to merely pull over to the side of the winding narrow hilly country
road, ensuring we were safely out of the flow of traffic.
Our first phone call was to the provider of the pumpkins---and here is
where I would like to thank Mrs. Rushing not only for her kind donation of
orange-juvenile-Whooping-crane-distracters, but for also providing us with
the name of a tow truck service to come to our rescue. After a quick call
and explaining our dilemma, a wrecker was dispatched to our location. A very
short time later, the flat bed came, loaded us up and we were on our way to
an auto repair shop for what would hopefully be an immediate repair. With
the hope of flying the next morning (this morning) we needed the van,
especially crucial with the absence of top cover.
After first one stop where the soonest we could be helped was the next
day, we were toted to another shop, where upon hearing our plight of
potential flight, we were ushered into the waiting room and told no problem.
And no problem it turned out to be for the wonderful people at Cowan’s Auto
Repair---thanks to Jeff and his staff, they diagnosed the problem (bad fuel
pump), ordered up a part, drove to get the part and had it in all in a half
days work. Not only did they get us back up and running in short order (I
never got to see all of Oprah), but they replaced a bad headlight as well
and wished us luck with our birds.
We eventually got to pick up the pumpkins, got our other errands done and
finally made it back to camp in time to prepare for the next morning’s
pre-flight scramble.
Since I am a big believer in things coming in threes, I feel we are now
done with the engine issues and will make the rest of the trip with no
problems. I can at least hope, can’t I?
Date:
December 10,
2009, Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
We hope to turn today's disappointment into something more satisfying
tomorrow - like a flight.
We are still looking at clear skies, but with
even an colder temperature of around 15F, and very little northeast surface
wind. Aloft, Chris Gillikson is thinking we could encounter some headwind
flowing just above the surface air, but he was still willing to go with
projecting a 70-30 chance of flying. The 70 being in our favor.
We'll head out to the Carroll County flyover departure site again early
tomorrow morning...perhaps #6 will be the charm.
Note: Thanks from the team to Jean and little Charlie and Harry for
delivering dinner to us the other evening. Scrumptious and very
appreciated!!
Date:
December 10,
2009
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 56
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Our motorhomes stopped their wind driven boogie-woogie just before the
arrival of the 'wee hours'. Under clear skies at 4am this morning we had a
frosty 22F with 1 mph surface wind gusting to 4mph out of the west. A check
of conditions at our next stopover (Hardin County, TN) showed that at 25F it
was slightly warmer there, with slightly stronger winds; WNW at 5mph.
The
main focus of today's story though was what was happening aloft. The weather
models showed lot of wind strength at altitude; a powerful 20 to 30mph
blowing from the WNW.
At 6am, as I pulled out headed for the departure flyover location,
everyone else was also preparing to vacate camp. Once in place, we waited
not so patiently for the test trikes to render their verdict and pass it along
via the aviation radio. On hold until we received the 'go' or 'no go' word,
we stood stamping our feet in the cold with the usual questions swirling in
our minds. Will we be able to fly? And if so, will we skip? Or, will we be
undoing all this morning's preparations, and going back to set up camp again
in Carroll County.
Waiting is always the hardest part. But harder than the waiting was
listening to the aviation radio and the pilot's discussion of the
difficulties a flight this morning would pose. A lot of trashy air lower
down and would they be able to lead the birds above it? The anticipated good
tailwind turning out to be a mere 3mph push. Worsening conditions to the
south and no where to put the birds down if it came to that. Then, came the
pilots' consensus decision - rather than take a chance with the birds we
would stand down and try again tomorrow.
Disappointing? Yes, sure, especially when were were mentally geared up
for another potential skip. But then again, what's one more day. Today will
be Down Day #5 in Carroll County, TN.
Date:
December 9,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FIRST
FAMILY FEMALE DEATH CAUSED BY GUNSHOT
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
In a Press Release received shortly before 7:00pm CST this evening, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the cause of death of 217*. The
seven year old Whooping crane, matriarch of the First Family, was shot.
She was the dam of Wild601, the first Whooping crane to be hatched in the
wild in Eastern North American in more than a century.
The shooting
occurred near the town of Cayuga in Vermillion County, Indiana sometime
between November 28th, when she was last recorded by trackers, and December
1st when her carcass was found.
"This is likely the most important bird in the entire Eastern Migratory
Population," said Operation Migration CEO, Joe Duff. "We are all saddened by
the loss and troubled by the motive behind the act."
Click here to read the full
Press
Release distributed by FWS.
Date:
December 9, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Things are looking up. The temperature has been dropping steadily all day,
and the winds are slowing swinging around from coming out of the south.
Right now they're westerly, but should swing some more to become WNW later
tonight and stay from that direction into the morning. The projected 7mph or
better surface wind by flight time is a tad stronger than we'd like, but not
a deal breaker.
At altitude we could have a different story however.
Everyone knows that too much of a good thing isn't good for you. At least
that's what my Grandma used to tell me. We're hoping that is not the case
for us tomorrow morning. The NW winds aloft are likely to be around the
25mph mark...and that just might be too much of a good thing.
But...we'll be ready to go regardless. A reminder re the departure
flyover location here in Carroll County - at the junction of Price Road and
Long Rock Church Road outside Huntingdon, TN. Hope to see you there around
7am!!
Date:
December 9,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day
55
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Gusty winds buffeting the motorhome rattled me awake shortly after 3am, and
there was no let up as the morning progressed. Alternately coming out of the
WSW and the SSW, the strong wind has brought with it very warm air, raising
the temperature to 50F. Aloft, the WSW winds are gusting as high as 45mph.
Last night I thought we might float away. This morning I think we might blow
away. The one thing we won't be doing this morning though, is flying away.
Today will be Down Day #4 in Carroll County, TN.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Tennessee Although the Dogwood is not Tennessee's state tree it really should
be. Tennessee nurseries grow more Dogwoods than any other state, and have
been doing it for more than one hundred years.
Date:
December 8,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
It sure looks like Carroll County, Tennessee is trying for Juneau County,
Wet-consin's title. And at the rate things are going it just might take it
away. Since last evening when it started, there has been sufficient rainfall
for the weather people to issue flood warnings here.
Water is streaming in fast running rivulets everywhere. It is a shin-deep
wade to get to the aircraft trailer, and it's over the sides of my running
shoes on the pavement where our motorhome is parked. It's virtually
impossible to step anywhere without getting a soaker.
The current forecast calls for this wet, wet, wet, to continue until the
early morning hours of Wednesday. Although the weatherman is promising that
the sky should clear to give us partly sunny/partly cloudy skies, he is also
predicting the rain will be replaced by 18 to 20 mph WSW surface winds and
close to double that aloft.
I think I am safe when I say we'll be spending tomorrow in Carroll County
- assuming we haven't floated away before then that is.
Date:
December 8, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
GIVE A
WHOOP! HAS A LOOOONG WAY TO GO YET
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
So far, only 1,389 people have shown that they give a whoop about Whooping
cranes by participating in OM’s “I Give A WHOOP” campaign.
Collectively, the WHOOPS! made by these caring folks total 4,757. And that's
simply terrific.
BUT - - surely - - there are more than just 1,389
people in the world who care about the survival of the species – and who
could spare a ten dollar bill to declare and demonstrate their support.
We know our CraneCam and TrikeCam have attracted many, many new folks to
the project, and we'd love it if your appreciation for our live broadcasts
extended to supporting our work with Whooping cranes. If you are a CraneCam
viewer or are a newcomer to Operation Migration and you haven’t WHOOPED,
won’t you please
Give a WHOOP!
today?
Our goal is to gather 10,000 WHOOPS! and then send the all the names on the
Give a WHOOP! honor roll to those agencies in whose hands rests the
future of the Whooping Crane Reintroduction project. The idea is to
demonstrate the strong public support for Operation Migration’s and the
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership’s work to safeguard the endangered
Whooping crane.
Click here to
view
video clips of messages we received in celebration of our having flown
10,000th miles leading and teaching young Whooping cranes a migration route.
Date:
December 8,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 54
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Oh no, it's getting warmer again and you know what that means - winds from
the south. At 4am it was pushing 40F degrees and the surface winds were
just 2 to 4mph, but gusting to 7mph. Aloft they ranged as high as 30mph and
were also out of the ESE.
By 6am the ceiling was down to 500 feet, the
barometer was falling, surface winds were above 10mph, and the radar showed those forecast thunderstorms
closing in. Nothing good for cranes and planes in that lot. Today will
be Down Day #3 in Carroll County, TN.
We still have a chance however, to equal or better last year's progress.
To do this we need to get in and out of Stop #14 in Hardin County, TN on or
before December 12. Hope you're rooting for us.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen CARROLL cOUNTY Natchez Trace State Forest is partly located in Carroll County. The
area in and around Natchez Trace Park was settled during the 1830's by a
band of settlers led by Joseph Morris. The Morris family and others left the
worn out land of North Carolina piedmont area in 1832 to settle the fertile
West Tennessee lands along Birdsong and Maple Creek.
This area also gains historical significance from the days of the old
Natchez Trace, now the Natchez Trace Parkway. The name Natchez Trace
originally applied to an ill-defined series of trails and paths beaten out
by Indians and perhaps buffalo. Several of these trails, when joined
together, lead to a northeasterly direction from Natchez, Mississippi to
Nashville, Tennessee.
Later, settlers would travel down the Trace to sell their goods, often on
foot, further tramping out and identifying a more definite Trace. The threat
of Highwaymen along the old Natchez Trace became so great that returning
travelers soon sought alternate routes and one of the more often used was
the Notcha Trace which followed a route in the vicinity of what is now the
Natchez Trace State Park.
Date:
December 7,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
I think we can safely make the same prediction about our chances of flying
tomorrow as we made at this time yesterday for a flight today. Not at all
good.
While the wind should swing around to come out of the ENE, it will
carry with it more rain if not thunderstorms that could linger as long as
through the night Tuesday. As it stands, we are pretty sure we'll be
spending a third day on the ground here in Carroll County.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen CARROLL cOUNTY Named for Governor William Carroll, Tennessee's Carroll County has an
estimated population of around 30,000. Huntingdon is the county seat, and
also home of the Marching Mustangs, Tennessee Division 1, State Marching
Band Champions in 1978, '79, '91, '92, 2003, and '05, very impressive for a
town of less than 5000 people.
Date:
December 7, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Class of 2009
Subject:
PUMPKINS
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Dear Humans,
Hello to everyone in Carroll County from the Whooping
cranes in the Class of 2009. As you all know, there are 20 of us migrating
with OM's ultralights this year, and it seems we've depleted all the
pumpkins our costumed handlers had stocked up and were hoarding for us in
the travel pen trailer.
If any of you still have
some pumpkins (not frozen) you'd like to get rid of, we'd be awfully glad if
you would donate them to us. We like the large size ones best, but because
our handlers have to physically carry them to us from the truck parked about
a half a mile away, they prefer to get medium size ones for us.
Should you have pumpkins we could have, and
you'd be willing to deliver them to us, please email
info@operationmigration.org
with your name and phone number and put 'Pumpkins' in the subject line.
Thanks humans - from the Class of 2009.
Date:
December 7, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 53 = Down Day #2
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Stepping outside this morning it was surprizing to discover how warm it had
gotten. Although it was still just 31F it felt almost balmy compared to the
last couple of frosty mornings we'd had.
The SSE winds had brought us the
warmer temps, and the overnight rain gradually eased to become more of a
light mist before ceasing altogether. Much like everyone else, we tend to
pick on the weatherman when he is wrong, but I must say that in this
instance, we very much dislike that he was right today.
This will be Down Day #2 in Carroll County, TN.
Date:
December 7, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Brooke Pennypacker
Subject:
THE
ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
[Brooke's lead pilot report of the flight from Cumberland Co. IL to Union
Co. KY]
Joe Bachagaloup, noted Jersey poet and philosopher, once
stated in a stupor of grand, alcohol-induced profundity, “If ya wanna find
happiness in life, ya gotta learn to laugh through the tears.” He was
obviously cutting an onion at the time. Of course, he also said, “The
stairway to heaven has a railing made of pizza,” but you get the idea. And
the Bible tells the story of Moses, who, while descending the mountain
carrying the Commandment Tablets, dropped the stones, and chipped off the
Eleventh Commandment which said, “Thou shalt laugh when you want to cry.”
Our dear friends Don and Paula Lounsbury have flown top cover for us at
least part of every migration since this whole ultralight-led migration
began. Their calming and competent presence on each migration leg always
kept us safe and gave me the secure feeling that I was part of a flock
watched over by some pretty special shepherds. In fact, I used to joke that
I traded in my St. Christopher's Medal for one with their pictures on it and
which said, “Don and Paula Protect Me. And they always did.
Two days ago, after shepherding us safely to our first Kentucky stop, and
on route back to pick up their motorhome, they experienced an engine failure
and were forced to make an emergency landing in an agricultural field. Their
expertise and experience got them down without injury, but their airplane
was badly damaged due to the rough field condition. Whatever elation we felt
at the conclusion of the mornings bird flight instantly vanished, and was
replaced by our deep concern for our dear friends…our family.
But life and updates (no matter how late) must go on, and so it is in the
spirit of the Eleventh Commandment that I scribe this offering.
Friday morning came as we expected, optimists that we are, cold, dark and
frosty; so frosty in fact that I had to reach into my wallet and pull out a
phone card some guy had given me at CraneFest to scrape the windshield of
the van. The card must have been activated because on the second scraping
pass I heard my mother’s voice call out, “Brookie! Is that you? Why are you
bothering me this early in the morning? And by the way, when are you going
to grow up?” I would have bought a proper scraper long ago at Wal-Mart you
see, but if I had, I’d have no more reasons to go to Wal-Mart, and thus, I’d
have no more reason to live.
The scraping job complete, it occurred to me that today was my turn to
lead - the birds, that is, and it had been so long since I flew with birds I
had to rush into the camper, turn on the computer and do a Google Search on
Whooping crane to see what the darn things looked like!
Good thing too, because next thing I knew I was sitting-in my second
favorite position-in the trike with 20 birds dutifully strung out in a line
off my wing, each with a thought balloon hanging over its head which said,
“Haven’t we seen this guy somewhere before?” I waved goodbye to our
wonderfully kind and generous hosts, knowing regretfully that I was too high
and far away for them to see me.
I silently thanked Erin and Geoff for the great job they did releasing
the birds from the pen with their usual perfect timing. Then, with the other
three trikes nearby, Don and Paula above us as top cover, and Bev and Sharon
below in the tracking van as bottom cover, (although I would never call them
“bottom cover” to their faces!) I settled in for a long ride.
The altimeter slowly wound up to first, 1000 feet, then 2000, and finally
just over 3000 in an unsuccessful attempt to find the hoped for tailwind,
the existence of which I then placed in the category of ;urban legend’. Then
I heard Joe call out on the radio, “17 degrees”, then, “15 degrees”, and
then, “13 degrees.”
So much for global warming unless of course you count what goes on in
Mrs. Magilicutty’s microwave. At the rate we’re going I will get to fulfill
one of my life long dreams - landing on the Polar Ice Cap. I began to feel
the icy probing fingers of “Bill the Chill” as they searched my snowmobile
suit for any opportunity to break through and wreak discomfort and misery on
my normally warm and fuzzy self.
But the birds love the cold air and therefore so do I. Their lungs crave
its oxygen rich exuberance, and their wings love to beat down upon its
invisible, thick caress. Their skinny little legs however, are another
story. So first one bird, then another, and another, activate the ’Gear Up’
lever and their legs fold up into the warm down of their body, appearing to
render them candidates for a handicapped parking sticker.
I remembered years ago in a yoga class trying the same maneuver. Fool
Lotus Position, I think they called it. But once in it, I couldn’t extricate
myself from it and found myself staring at a new career selling pencils on a
New York street corner. All I could do was sit there in helpless panic, my
legs tied beneath me like a pretzel. Finally, Maharishi Bachagoloup and his
beautiful assistant, Hold the Mayo, dragged me down to the local hospital
emergency room where the doctor smiled wisely and squirted my legs with
mustard, then pulled them apart, which caused me to spend the next few days
walking like I was headed to the Men’s Room. And to this day, I still get
monthly calls from a collection agency demanding a check for $4.21 because
my HMO refused to cover the cost of the mustard. “An Experimental
Procedure”, they said. I have every confidence the President’s new Health
Plan will cover mustard.
Ahead and around the sky was a curtain of thick haze obscuring the
usually crisp horizon; a horizon which, because of the flatness of Illinois,
was actually the curvature of the earth. And below, buildings and towns and
all that was man-made was pushed reluctantly into view like self conscious
actors onto a stage absent of direction, dialog, and rehearsal, first
appearing as smudges, then vague forms never to assume full definition.
Gray and ghostly they flowed beneath us in their secret passing. I
hovered above in my own stupor, feeling like a piñata hanging from the
heavens not to be fully awakened until jolted awake by the imagined strike
of a baseball bat against my temple and the sound of a little Mexican boy
yelling, “Feliz Navidad Gringo Birdman. Now fork over the candy!” Must have
dozed off, I thought. Damn that Richard! He promised to remind me to tear
off that bumper sticker on the back of my trike that says, “I Stop For
Hallucinations”.
Meanwhile, 906 is flying an arm’s length ahead, seemingly daring me to do
to him what school boys do to each other in the school yard; an act which,
if movie lore is to be believed, is the real reason that “Father Goose” got
his name way back when, and that the original title, “Fly Away Home” had
more to do with zippers than with wings.
With all 20 birds still in attendance, I had all the confidence of a
teacher taking his students on a class trip to Wal-Mart, and was able to get
all my Christmas shopping done without worrying about a single student. All
the long hours and hard work of so many devoted people for so long during
the early part of this project made this all possible, and I sat enjoying
the fruits of their labor in my, “In Case Of Emergency Break Glass” status.
Below, the single right angled geometries of Illinois passed in perfect
order. Illinois , is, after all, the place where the 90 degree angle was
invented, and the name Illinois is Indian for, “Checkerboard of the Gods”.
One does not have to strain the imagination to see the older gods sitting
around playing celestial checkers, while the younger ones hopscotch away
their eternity.
Anything less than a straight line and right angle is considered pure
sacrilege in Illinois; so much so that the intergalactic tourist industry
which has long considered planet Earth the way Earthling Retirees consider
Branson, Missouri, absolutely forbid any member of their tour groups to get
mischievous and create a crop circle in Illinois. After all, Illinoians are
not to be messed with, and no self respecting Martian wants to wake up some
morning, walk outside his crater only to find a giant, green John Deere
combine bearing down on him driven by an irate Illinoisian shouting, “Make
my Hay…er, my Day, ya little ET Wannabee!”
Such musings are interrupted again by the, ‘906 Show,’ as he flies a foot
or two to my right, then my left ,then just ahead, obviously playing the,
Who’s Leading Who game. Perhaps he’s considering applying for my job next
year. After all, he knows you learn to fly a trike from the back seat in the
beginning, and it appears to me that I am now sitting in his.
As he elevates up to wing level, each of his wing beats is directly
transmitted into the palms of my hands as they grasp the control bar which
pulses in perfect synchronous rhythm. “This is what real flying is all
about, ” he seems to be saying. And just as I never ceased to marvel at the
trust in me he showed as a tiny chick back at Patuxent when he walked so
confidently only inches away from my potentially crushing, lethal footsteps,
he now flies only inches away, reassured by a re-awakened trust that lethal
contact with the trike is not in the order of things this morning 3000 feet
over Illinois.
Below lies our stop, the one Bev and I visited yesterday and toured with
the landowner who, for the second year, generously offered to host our
group. Wonderful folks that again this year we must disappoint by
over-flying them, since conditions dictate that it must be so. But it is
with great reluctance and regret that we overfly, and this act of regret is
softened by the knowledge that they understand and wish us well.
Then there is the river, and beyond it Kentucky, and the next stop in our
struggle south. And as the altimeter unwound itself and the ground came up
to retrieve its little cast of wayward wanderers, I think the birds too
tried to remain in the moment, to feel it completely, to cherish it, to
savor it, and to attempt to wring from it all the indescribable good
feelings contained within it. For we know such feelings are fleeting,
passing like smoke in a breeze. They cannot be contained or held on to. And
only if we are lucky, very, very lucky, can these feelings linger within us
for more than a few brief moments. Then it is back to reality and struggle,
and the quest for yet another small victory always haunted by the certain
knowledge that every silver lining has contained within it a cloud. Such is
the emotional rollercoaster ride of migration - and of life.
As the 21 of us touched down, the day’s battle won, I radioed our thanks
to Don and Paula as they circled overhead for the last time. Richard and I
headed off to hide the birds in a gully, while the rest of the crew set up
the pen. Don and Paula headed back north to keep their appointment with
destiny, and to affirm the power and the necessity and the absolute dignity
of the Eleventh Commandment.
Date:
December 6, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
We can say we will be looking at a down day tomorrow with a reasonable
degree of confidence. We can already feel and smell the rain that is
forecast to begin falling here by mid evening, and the weatherman suggests
it will continue at least through to the wee hours of Tuesday morning.
Linda and I
visited with the few hardy souls that turned up at the flyover viewing site
this morning and we're hoping that more folks will come out for the next
one. In case you missed the location it is at the junction of Price Road
and Long Rock Church Road just outside of the town of Huntingdon. Click the link to
see the site marked on
Mapquest.
Date:
December 6, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
LEAD
PILOT REPORT - UNION CO. KY TO CARROLL CO. TN
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Saturday morning we took off from the Sturgis airport where our trikes
were hangared and headed north to where the birds were penned. The radios
were strangely quiet without Don or Paula’s calming voice.
It was my turn to lead, and we decided on an air pick up. I called for the
release of the birds and did a slow pass from the north skimming the
harvested bean field. They charged out in perfect timing with the aircraft,
but two of them moved in front.
There are no brakes on an airplane. You can’t just slow it down by
tapping a peddle. The feet of the lead bird were only inches ahead. When
they touched the windscreen, he realized how close he was and began to speed
up. He climbed, but hit the leading edge of the wing and tumbled a few feet
before regaining his composure. More like bumping in the hallway than a
serious impact. We all jockeyed for position and soon found the order.
In their initial climb they can fly slower than the aircraft, and I flew
'S' turns while they caught up. With full fuel and all the cold weather gear
wrapped around my bulky frame, I can slow the aircraft down to just over 35
miles per hour. That’s about three too many so we circled several times
while they formed on the wing and dropped back again.
At about 300 feet I was able to fly in a straight line long enough to
hang the airplane on the verge of stall. They formed a long line off the
right wing and settled in. To the south of us was the Ohio River and a thick
layer of fog was drifting to the east. We stayed to the west and crossed
back into Illinois for a mile or two before crossing the river one more
time.
The TrikeCam had been fitted to my aircraft, and I moved the camera to
give viewers an inkling of the spectacular view. It is hard to describe the
beauty of these birds when the sun shines off their extended wings. They
dropped a few feet below me, and I looked down at 20 birds with seven foot
wing spans.
There is something opulent in their brilliant white feathers, flashing
black tips, and the golden remnants of their youth all cross-lit by the
morning sun. Multiple layers of birds in loose formation added dimension to
a view only possible from the front seat of an open aircraft flying at their
speed. It was a stunning scene beyond the capacity of any camera or even
words. No matter what technology we use we can not bring that image to you
with even a faction of the impact it has on the eye witness. All we can do
is stare in awe and try feebly to describe it later, with little luck.
We began a slow climb in hopes of finding a predicted tailwind, but even
at 3500 feet we only had a seven mile per hour push. The birds stayed in
line most of the time. You balance your speed and your rate of climb to keep
the leaders in check, while not outpacing the ones at the end.
The higher we climbed the lower the temperature dropped. At 17.4 degrees
and a 38 mile per hour wind-chill for three hours it’s impossible to stay
warm. Each of us has our own tactics, from heated hand grips to hot packs
taped to boots, but they only serve to prevent frostbite, and do little for
personal comfort.
When we approached our first stopover site the air was calm, the birds
were high and strong, so we reset the GPS for the next stop. 14 miles from
our destination the workout began to show in the birds. A group of eight or
ten kept dropping back, and we circled several times losing altitude with
each turn.
The morning sun was beginning to create thermals, and below 3000 feet the
air was getting rough. When they broke again I let them go. We hoped to
divide the flock so each trike could lead a few the remaining miles. With
fewer birds they each get more benefit from the wing flapping less and
gliding more. My plans seldom work however, and as Brooke picked up eight
birds, another seven decided it was easier to fly down there with him than
to carry on with me, so they descended to join him.
We circled the pen site several times, worried that if they got too far
away they may catch a thermal and disappear. Instead, they landed beside us
and we spent the next hour foraging in a bean field while the pen was
prepared for them.
At a maximum speed over the ground of 45 miles per hour we took 2 hours
and 56 minutes to cover 120 miles. In two days we have covered 231.5 miles.
We flew from Illinois to Tennessee and it raised the spirits of the entire
team.
We have had many challenges this year, but the birds are strong flyers,
and everyone is alive and well. You can’t ask for much more. This project
carries on in defiance of all things that try to drag us down.
Date:
December 6, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Joe Duff
Subject:
THE THIRD
EVENT
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
They say bad things come in threes, and Friday, that superstition was
confirmed.
First, while we were in Winnebago County, IL Chris lost his
engine and had to make a forced landing. Then we discovered that our hangar
in Necedah, WI had been vandalized. Friday, after providing top cover for
our three hour flight to Union County, Don and Paula Lounsbury were headed
back to our starting point in Cumberland County to retrieve their motorhome
when their engine quit.
Their Cessna 182 was at 4500 feet when it began to sputter. Paula, in the
left seat, diverted heated air into the carburetor in case ice build up was
restricting the flow of fuel. She also switched fuel tanks immediately and
used the primer to nurse the engine back to health. But it quit despite her
fast thinking. Over the radio they declared an emergency and issued a mayday
distress call.
Both Don and Paula are high time pilots and their aircraft is
meticulously maintained. As they glided down they prepared for a forced
landing in text book fashion. They closed the fuel valves and feathered the
propeller; they synched down their safety belts; cracked the doors so they
wouldn’t jam; secured the cabin; and picked an open flat field for their
runway.
At
this time of year in southern Illinois the crops have been harvested and
many of the fields have been disked. With the inch and a half of rain that
fell this week there is standing water everywhere. The only field available
to Don and Paula was soft and damp, and when they touched down at the
slowest possible speed, the nose wheel dug in. It collapses under the
strain, and their momentum carried the tail up and over the top in what
Paula described as, "an elegant roll."
As they hung upside down in their seat belts they realized that neither
of them had been injured, not even slightly. Before they made their way out
of their beloved and now forlorn looking airplane, another one had responded
to their distress call and was circling overhead directing the police and
EMS to the scene.
Heather Ray and Erin Harris were on their way to the next stopover when
they got the call from Don. They diverted to the scene and stayed with Paula
while Don headed north to get their motorhome where their dog Breton was in
desperate need of a walk. Thanks to the understanding farmer, they will camp
next to the wreckage until the FAA, the NTSB and the insurance adjusters
have finished their investigation.
The cause of the engine failure will be determined by the authorities,
but Don thinks it had to do with ice. During the last few days we have had
lots of rain and then the temperature dropped to 13.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
When they removed the covers for the early morning flight they were frozen
to the upper surface of the wing. They inspected the wing to ensure they
were clear of ice and checked the fuel levels. It seems however, that the
fuel tank vents located on top of the wing were frozen closed.
In a normal aircraft if the vents are blocked a vacuum is created as the
fuel is used up. The pressure increases as more fuel is extracted until it
overpowers the fuel pump. The engine generally quits from fuel starvation
shortly after start up, usually as you do your run up check in preparation
for take off.
Don and Paula’s aircraft has bladders in the fuel tanks, so the blocked
vent simply meant that the bladders began to suck inward as the fuel was
expended. They were airborne for roughly 4 hours flying top cover for us at
60% power. Then they headed north at 75% power for about 10 minutes when the
bladders had finally collapsed as much as they could and no more fuel could
be extracted. They still had 3 hours of fuel left despite the fact that it
couldn’t be used. Even the fuel gauges read an appropriate amount.
Whether their aircraft will even fly again remains to be seen. When their
ordeal is over they will join us for at least for a day or two on their way
to Florida. Unless we can recruit a volunteer we will fly the rest of the
trip without top cover.
Date:
December 6,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 52 = DOWN DAY #1
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
At 20F it was very chilly again this morning, but because there was almost
no surface wind, it didn't really feel that cold.
Initially, despite the winds aloft being out of the WSW, we thought a flight
today might be doable. It wasn't long though before we were disabused of
that notion. This next leg, from Carroll County to Hardin County, TN is one
of the longer ones - just short of ~70 air miles. With conditions south of
us not even as favorable as they were at our departure point, and no where
to put down should that become necessary, the decision was made to stand
down for the day.
With what looks like a couple of days coming up with south winds carrying
rain, we were all hoping desperately for good enough conditions to get in
the air today so we could advance one more stop. Wishing won't make it so
however, so we will have our first down day in Carroll County.
Last year we arrived at our next stop, #14, in Hardin County on December
5th and were stuck there for six days, finally escaping on the 12th after
two aborted departure attempts. That means, if we can manage to get in and
out of Hardin County on or before this coming Saturday, we'll have at least
caught up to last year's timeline if not bettered it. A positive thought to
hold on to as we nurse our disappointment for today.
Here's another neat photo of the recent flyover departure in Cumberland
County. Our thanks to Jayne Ozier for sharing this with us.
Date:
December 5,
2009 - Entry 5
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
Here's what it appears we will be looking at tomorrow morning. A temp in the
low to mid 20's with a light ESE breeze on the surface, and an equivalent
temp but increasing ESE winds ~5+mph at our destination in Hardin Co. Aloft
it looks like we'll have light SW winds - not ideal by any stretch, but we
suspect it might be worth a shot. At the very least we'll be putting a test
trike up.
Linda and I scouted the area this afternoon and found we had
little choice for a suitable departure flyover viewing location. After
checking out several other sites, we settled on the junction of Price Road
and Long Rock Church Road just outside of the town of Huntingdon. Click here
for a link to the site marked on
Mapquest.
You will want to be on site no later than 6:45 to 7:00am. Dress warmly!!
Remember, that you could make the trip for naught if conditions are such
that the cranes and planes are unable to fly.
Assuming we think we might fly, Linda and I will be at the viewing site to
meet and chat with those gathered, as well as offer any interested an
opportunity to purchase some OM Gear.
Date:
December 5,
2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
STILLS OF
TODAY'S FLIGHT
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
This entry is for those you who don't watch, or aren't able to watch the
TrikeCam. Frederick Wasti of Marshfield, Massachusetts was enjoying the
TrikeCam this morning and decided to capture some images to send along.
Top: The lead bird slips
forward and gets abreast of the wing.....
Bottom: Couldn't be lined
up better.
Top: ....and then pulls
ahead.
Bottom: TrikeCam catches
Joe taking photos with his 'happy snap' camera.
Date:
December 5,
2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 51 = TENNESSEE!!
Location:
Carroll Co. TN
As you can see, we managed to skip another stop. Two flights in two days and
two skips as well... can't beat that!
The pen that was dropped off late
yesterday in Marshall County, KY has been retrieved by Bev and Sharon
driving the tracking van. It is being set up right now (11:30am). Once
that's done, the pilots will be freed up to move their trikes to safety for
the day/night.
Walt -driving the white truck hauling the Sierra trailer; Dave - driving
the white van hauling the aircraft/equipment trailer; Geoff - driving the
Flair motorhome; Erin - driving the Dodge/Arctic Fox hauling the travel pen
pulled out of the field in Union County; and Heather - driving the blue
truck/Mountain Star hauling the camera trailer, are still on the road but
should be arriving here to join the rest of us in camp within a couple of
hours.
Joe was today's lead pilot so hopefully he will have a flight report to
me to post for your reading enjoyment later today. And, we'll light a fire
under Brooke for one about his flight yesterday too.
Date:
December 5, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
WOOD
BUFFALO/ARANSAS POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Union Co. KY
Tom Stehn, Whooping Crane Coordinator at the Aransas National Wildlife
Refuge conducted his second aerial census of the 2009 season December 2nd.
Flying in a Cessna 210 piloted by Gary Ritchey of Air Transit Solutions of
Castroville, Texas, Tom said they had very good visibility for most of the
flight. Mid-day NW winds gusting to 25 made for a bumpy ride however, and
made the task of finding cranes more difficult.
191 adults and 17 juveniles were sighted for a total of 208 Whooping cranes,
up from the 117 observed on the first census done November 12th.
“Based on August fledging surveys done on the nesting grounds by the
Canadian Wildlife Service, I am expecting up to 22 juveniles,” said Tom. “
With that number of juvenile produced, the flock may experience a break-even
year with a flock total around 247 expected.”
In his report Tom noted, “Cold fronts that reached Aransas on November 16,
20, 24, and 30 helped the cranes complete their 2,400-mile long migration
that had begun 2 months ago for some.”
He said that additional cranes are known to still be on migration in Kansas,
Oklahoma, and Texas, although numbers are much lower than the big wave of
cranes that moved through Oklahoma and Kansas back in mid-November.
“Three other Whooping cranes are presently near the coast. On December 1st,
one was confirmed in a flock of Sandhills about 50 miles northeast of
Aransas. Two cranes have been staying north about 15 miles north of Aransas.
The addition of these 3 birds brings the estimated total on the coast to
211,” Stehn said.
In his report, Tom address habitat use saying, “Tides measured at the refuge
boat ramp were high (2.5 feet). The marshes on San Jose Island were notably
flooded with large expanses of open water. Salinities dropped noticeably in
November so that the cranes are drinking directly from the marsh and have
stopped making flights to fresh water dugouts. Salinities on December 2nd
were measured at 15 parts per thousand (ppt) at the refuge boast ramp, and
at 5 ppt in the adjacent marsh.”
“The refuge received 7.8 inches of rain in November as El Nino ended the
drought. The largest rain received was 4.35 inches on November 20th. Other
areas, including Rockport and Lamar got between 12 and 16 inches of rain
during that same storm event.”
“The Whooping cranes have responded to the flooded conditions with 33 cranes
seen on uplands during the most recent flight. I’ve seen this before when
cranes utilized freshly flooded uplands with Aransas having received
additional rain December 1st.”
Two cranes were near an upland crane feeder on the Lamar Peninsula. No
cranes were in open bay habitat, and there are currently no prescribed burns
in the crane area. The largest group size observed was 7 birds seen on in
salt marsh on the south end of Matagorda Island. Numerous photographs were
taken to document the spread of black mangrove into the crane area.
Date:
December 5,
2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 51
Location:
Union Co. KY
At 4am this morning there was not even enough wind to register a windchill
factor, which was good, because it was just 19F without it. Any stirring on
the surface was out of the northwest, and the weather models
showed the potential
for a nice little push up top.
With this morning's early weather looking
at least as favorable if not better than yesterday's, camp came to life even
earlier than usual. Stopover #12, Marshall County, KY is next.... or
will it be Carroll County, TN? That's what was on all our minds as everyone pulled out to get in position.
At 7:08 am the four trikes, one by one - Joe, Brooke, Richard and then
Chris, launched to fly the ~nine air miles from camp to the pensite. Now
it's a matter of waiting for, a) word of the launch, and then, b)
the destination.
To the right is a super shot captured yesterday at the
Cumberland County flyover by Ron Ghere of Mattoon, IL. Thanks for sharing
Ron.
Date:
December 4, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
SKIPPING
Location:
Union Co. KY
Distance:
111.5 miles
(Cumberland Co. IL - Union Co. KY)
Accumulated Distance:
462 miles
Photo: Lead Pilot, Brooke Pennypacker and the 20 young Whooping cranes in
the Class of 2009 put on a show for flyover viewers as they depart
Cumberland County, IL. (Photo compliments of David Bough)
Skipping a stopover is good, but it sure does make for a long day. While
it's an a longer time in the air for the cranes and planes (today's flight
was just 6 minutes shy of 3 hours), it's an extra couple plus hours for the
ground-bound crew who travel the roads.
Once the the cranes and planes were well on their way, the pilots gave
the ground crew - Erin and Geoff - the okay to tear down the travel pen, and
Dave and Walt lent a hand. Once it's disassembled and loaded onto the travel
trailer, it gets hooked on to the Dodge diesel/Arctic Fox. While they were
doing this, Heather hitched up the camera trailer to the blue truck.
Then, it's everyone back to the campsite where Dave hitches the
aircraft/equipment trailer to the white van, Geoff gets the Flair ready to
roll, and Walter battens down the Sierra motorhome and hitches it up to our
white truck. Finally, the caravan is ready to hit the road. By this time
Linda and I are also on our way, having repacked the merchandise cases in
Jamboree after the morning's flyover.
Everyone was on the road wondering, wondering... how was the flight
going? Are conditions good enough for a skip? Finally the word came; we're
going to Kentucky!! Flip, flip went the pages in the Migration Route Black
Book. Tap, tap, punch, punch new coordinates into GPS units.
Along the route Linda and I met up with Bev and Sharon in the tracking
van. They had made a detour to hitch up our second travel pen which, days
before, we had left at the skipped Wayne County, IL stopover site. They then
headed straight for the pensite in Union County where the pilots and the
Class of 2009 were waiting.
Eventually, two by two, the ground vehicles all arrived at camp. The pen
equipment pulled out of the field in Cumberland County was scoured and
reloaded on the trailer, the trailer hooked up to the tracking van, and
Richard and Brooke took off to get it down to the next stopover in Marshall
County.
Joe and Heather changed hitches on the white van to see what they could
do with the camera trailer. Bev took on fresh water in the Arctic Fox and
headed back to babysit the Class of 2009. While Linda and I did inventory,
Dave, Walt and Chris unpacked the wing covers and spread them out to dry.
Now, there's considerably more to setting up camp than just arriving and
parking, but I'll spare you all the glamorous (not) parts.
By this time it was getting on to 3 pm and as my Aunt Dorothy used to say
- our stomachs were talking to our backbones. It was definitely
time for breakfast, or lunch, or early dinner - whatever. At that point we
didn't care what it was or what it was called as long as it was food!
All the full tummies came back to camp and promptly disappeared - each
bunch into their own home away from home. It will likely be a while yet
before Richard and Brooke make it back, but once they do, a long day of on
the go will be concluded. (This means it could be a day or more before
Brooke will be able to get to his lead pilot report for today.)
No late night for our bunch tonight... not with the prospect of a second
consecutive fly day in the offing for tomorrow.
Date:
December 4, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Union Co. KY
It's still looking very promising for a flight in the morning. Not wanting
to jinx things, but if we had today's weather again tomorrow, and it appears
it could be at least as good, Tennessee would not be out of the realm of
possibility.
A note to CraneCam viewers: The cam will not be
operating from this stopover site. Just too muddy to get the camera trailer
in - and we're afraid if we did manage it, we might have real problems
getting it back out. On a cheerier note, if we are able to fly in the
morning, you'll be able to watch the TrikeCam, and hopefully we will be able
to get the CraneCam set up okay on arrival at the next site.
Union County Departure Flyover: Apologies to those who would have
liked to have viewed a departure of the cranes and planes from Union County.
Last year, despite thoroughly scouring the countryside, we could not find a
suitable departure flyover viewing location. Any site safe for cranes is too
far away, and any site suitable for people is too close to the pensite.
- and therefore also not safe for planes and cranes.
The best
we are able to tell you is that
our hoped for flight path does cross 492, just to the east of town of
Dekoven. While by that time they may be fairly high, keeping an eye peeled
may reward the viewer with a glimpse.
Date:
December 4, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 50 IS MAGIC
Location:
Union Co. KY
Cumberland County is behind us, and for that matter so is Illinois.
Favorable winds and cooperative birds allowed us to skip over Stop #10 in
Wayne County, IL. The Class of 2009 is almost (if not already) in their
travel pen, and it shouldn't be long before we see trikes coming in at camp
to be hangared for the night.
This the second year for the more westerly
route, and the second time we have skipped Wayne County. At the moment, the
weather for the morning looks equally as good as today so who knows what
tomorrow will bring.
Do not have all reports in as yet but thought everyone would be anxious
to learn what was happening today. Hope to have more news soon... as well as
Brooke's lead pilot report later in the day.
Date:
December 3, 2009 - Entry 4
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Cumberland Co. Il
Very cold temps and favorable winds are forecast for tomorrow. We think our
prospects are pretty good for a flight in the morning.
The departure
flyover viewing location is
along CR626E (also called Frontage Road) just east (approx half a mile) off
Montrose Black Top Road (also called Spring Creek Road) and just west of CR
575E. We suggest you use MapQuest or GoogleMaps to come up with driving
directions to it from your home location.
You will want to be on site by sunrise - approximately 6:50 - 7:00AM.
Remember, that you could make the trip for naught if conditions are such
that the cranes and planes are unable to fly. Assuming we believe we can
fly, Linda and I will be at the viewing site to meet and chat with those
gathered, as well as offer those interested an opportunity to purchase some
OM Gear.
Date:
December 3, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
EASTERN
MIGRATORY POPULATION UPDATE
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
In this report, *=Female, D=Direct Autumn Release.
As of November 28th the estimated size of the Eastern Migratory Population
is 48 males and 37 females for a total of 87, one less than previously
reported due to the mortality of 217* (see Entry 2 below). Trackers report
there were 25 Whooping cranes in Wisconsin’s core reintroduction area; 16
elsewhere in Wisconsin; 1 in Lower Michigan, 7 in Illinois, 16 in Indiana, 8
in Tennessee, and 1 in Georgia. Locations of the remainder are unknown.
On Migration – last known location
105 & 501* Meigs/Rhea Counties, TN.
211 & 217* Vermillion County, IN
212 and 419* Green County, IN
216 & 716*, 512 & 722*, and D938 Knox County, IN.
303* & 317 Knox County, IN
310 & W601 Vigo County, IN
311 & 312* Meigs County, TN
313* & 318 Greene County, IN.
401 & 508*; 212 & 419*; along with 829 Winnebago County, IL.
415* & 505 have not been located since they left Necedah NWR Oct. 28.
703 Lowndes County, GA Nov. 22
D831, D836, D838 Lawrence County, TN
707, D739* McLean County, IL
D533* Meigs/Rhea Counties, TN
Unidentified Whooping crane Jasper-Pulaski SFWA, IN
Long Term Missing (more than 90 days)
516 (last recorded in 2008)
D744* (last recorded in 2008)
706 (last detected May 6)
511 (last recorded May 11)
D737 (last reported in Michigan June 14)
520* (last reported June 16)
D628 (last detected June 23)
724 (last detected June 26)
This report was compiled from data supplied
by WCEP Trackers Richard Urbanek, Eva Szyszkoski, Sara Zimorski, Jess
Thompson, and J. Longenecker, and K. Wyman.
Date:
December 3, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
FIRST
FAMILY MATRIARCH DEAD
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
217*, mate of 211, the pair whose offspring is W601*, is dead. Because W601*
was the first Whooping crane to be hatched in the wild in the U.S. in more
than a century (in 2006), the threesome was dubbed the First Family. (A
second chick was also hatched - W602, but was predated on the Necedah NWR in
late summer of 2006.)
In a report received late yesterday, Dr. Richard
Urbanek advised that the mortality was discovered on Tuesday by WCEP Tracker
and ICF Tracking Field Manager, Eva Szyskoski during an aerial flight over
Vermillion County, IN, a traditional migration stop for this pair.
Richard reported, that while the male was was spotted 217* was not
visible. Her transmitter signal was tracked to a location a few miles away
where her carcass was found by Tracking Intern Jess Thompson. Richard noted
that the recovery site was not the mortality site. The carcass has gone for
necropsy to the National Wildlife Heath Center in Madison, WI.
Date:
December 3, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
Migration Day 49 = down day
#3
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
26F at 4am this morning and it felt considerably colder with the windchill.
Surface winds were swinging back and forth between the west and the north
and blowing strongly. Aloft we had even stronger winds - NNW at least 20mph.
Although the snow forecast for last evening never materialized, and the
radar for both our departure and arrival sites is not showing any
precipitation, the wind today will nonetheless make it Down Day #3 in
Cumberland County, IL.
Date:
December 2, 2009 - Entry 3
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
PREDICTING
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
We think our odds of having favorable enough weather to fly tomorrow morning
are so slim that they are barely with mentioning. Looks like strong WNW
surface winds and even stronger NNW winds aloft. Put that with the
weatherman's odds of snow - 90% chance - and I think we'd we wise not to
hold our breath for a take-off.
Friday and Saturday seem to be shaping up
favorably however, so - we'll keep our rose colored glasses on for then.
Date:
December 2, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Walter Sturgeon
Subject:
LAST QUIZ
QUESTIONS
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
If you missed parts one and two to the Quiz, click here.
Part One or
Part Two.
What year were the first eggs produced from the captive
birds at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center? Answer: The first egg laid by a captive Whooping crane at Patuxent was on
April 18, 1975.
What year was the Endangered Species Act listing the whooping crane
signed? By whom? Answer. It was signed in 1973 by then President, Richard Nixon. The
Endangered Species Act was adopted in 1973 with the Whooping crane being one
of the initial species listed as endangered.
What year was the first Whooping Crane Recovery Plan signed? Answer: The first US Fish and Wildlife Service WHOOPING CRANE RECOVERY
PLAN prepared by the Whooping Crane Recovery Team, was edited by Scott R.
Derrickson, and signed by the Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service
on January 23, 1980. At the time, Former Secretary of the Interior, Stewart
Udall, eloquently described the story of the Whooping crane as “… a love
affair between a civilized sophisticated Nation, and an enormous, elusive
bird. We, the people, who slaughtered the bison and exterminated the
passenger pigeon, have had a shift of conscience in the last fifty years and
have made the preservation of rare species of wildlife one of our national
conservation purposes”.
34F and surface easterly winds of 3mph at 4am this morning, but by 5am they
had shifted to come out of the NW at 6mph. Aloft there was a 5 to 10 mph
north wind that could have given the cranes and planes a great little
tailwind.
You'd think we could have been flying wouldn't you? Nope. As
favorable as it was wind-wise for a flight this morning, we could go
nowhere. There is a nasty weather system moving up toward us from the Gulf
of Mexico bringing south winds and rain. The timing of the leading edge of
that system was such that it would hit our destination area before we could
arrive. Conditions that we couldn't chance flying the birds into.
Today will be Down Day #2 in Cumberland County, IL.
We expect rain to reach us here at stopover #9 in the next hour or so,
and by this evening, strong NNW surface winds are expected make the
thermometer plummet sufficiently to turn any residue precipitation into
snow. Even with favorable conditions here at our stopover location in
Cumberland County, our ability to advance will depend on how quickly the
system to the south of us moves on - and in which direction.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Cumberland cOUNTY Neoga, meaning "deer'" in the Kickapoo Indian language, is in the
northwest corner of the county. It was incorporated in 1856 and is called
home by about 1,800 people.
Date:
December 1, 2009 - Entry 2
Reporter:
Walt Sturgeon
Subject:
TEST YOUR
HISTORICAL WHOOPING CRANE KNOWLEDGE
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
Here are the next six questions I posed to the attendees at the WHOOP! It Up
event in LaSalle County. See how many you can get correct. Click the link to
review the
first five Q & A's.
What year was the first whooping crane nest
found in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP)? Answer: 1954. After years of searching, the nest was found by accident in
WBNP. Just before 5 o’clock on June 30, 1954, when a pilot of a helicopter
going out to check a fire reported by radio telephone that he had just
observed two adult Whooping cranes and one rusty-colored juvenile near the
Sass River.
Who was the biologist that confirmed this discovery? Answer: Dr. William Fuller. He was the biologist at Wood Buffalo National
Park (WBNP) when the discovery was made. After the helicopter returned to
base it refueled and took Dr. Fuller back out to the area where the cranes
had been seen and he was able to positively identify a pair and take
photographs. There was no juvenile with the pair, leaving open the
possibility that it was a different pair than had been seen earlier. On
their way back to base near the Nyarling River they spotted another single
crane about 30 miles from the earlier location and photographed it as well.
That winter 21 adult birds arrived at Aransas.
What year was the first whooping crane eggs collected in WBNP? Answer: 1967. In 1964 the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Canadian
Wildlife Service agreed on a plan to obtain eggs from the only known nesting
area in the Northwest Territories. The eggs were to be taken to a proposed
propagation center near Laurel, Maryland to be hatched and the young reared
to establish a captive breeding flock. By 1966 the USGS Patuxent Wildlife
Research Center had become reality and was ready for the eggs to be
collected in the spring of 1967.
Who was the USFWS biologist that participated in this first pickup? Answer: Glen Smart. In 1967, Ernie Kuyt of the Canadian Wildlife Service
and Glen Smart of the US Fish and Wildlife Service made the first egg
pickup. The biologists took one egg from each nest they found, and left one
egg behind. The egg pickup was accomplished by helicopter. The parents
returned to the nest after the disturbance and incubated the remaining egg
and cared for the young.
How many nest were found during the first collection? Answer: Six. The biologists took six eggs in 1967, nine eggs and one
hatchling in 1968, and nine eggs in 1969.
How many chicks were fledged from the first pickup? Answer: Three. Incubation of five of the 1967 eggs was completed
artificially at Patuxent, where three of those birds survived. From 24 eggs
and one hatchling taken from the wild nests in three years, 15 young
Whooping cranes survived to become breeding stock for captive propagation.
In 1967, 43 Whoopers arrived at Aransas including 5 juveniles.
Date:
December 1, 2009 - Entry 1
Reporter:
Liz Condie
Subject:
MIGRATION
DAY 47 = DOWN DAY #1
Location:
Cumberland Co. IL
We keep wondering when/if we'll ever get a second consecutive fly day on
this migration. Well, we didn't need to wonder about it this morning - it
was not going to happen today.
29F early this morning with SSW surface winds at 6mph. The unfavorable winds
aloft blowing a strong 25 - 30 mph eliminated any need to even put up a test
trike.
Today, as November gave way to December, we took a look at our progress
versus the 2008 migration. On December 1st last year it was Migration Day 46
and we were 175 miles and three stopovers ahead (in Marshall Co. KY) of
where we sit grounded today.
Contributing to the negative difference in
this year's timeline is the fact that we skipped two stopovers in '08
(Livingston and Wayne Counties). Even in 2007, which, at 97 days was the
longest migration on record, we were 205 miles further along the route as of
December 1st.
BUT, hang on a minute... all we need to catch up if not surpass previous
timelines, is a string of days with favorable winds, or, even a few short
bursts. They're coming, I just know they are ... I can feel it in my creaky
old bones.
migration trivia
compliments of vi white and steve cohen Cumberland cOUNTY President Thomas Jefferson authorized construction of the Cumberland
Road (National Road) on March 29, 1806. It was one of the first major
improved highways in the U.S. to be built by the federal government.
Construction began in 1811 at Cumberland, MD, on the Potomac River, and the
road reached Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia) on the Ohio River in
1818.
The approximately 620-mile road provided a gateway to the west for
thousands of settlers to reach the Mississippi River. But funding ran out
and construction stopped in 1839 at Vandalia, about half way across southern
Illinois. Later, construction resumed and ended at the Eads Bridge over the
Mississippi in East St. Louis, IL.
To
View Past Field Journals Please Visit our
Site Map
After
waiting for the fog to clear we took off from the Dunnellon airport seconds
after our four ultralights, and quickly climbed above them. I couldn’t
believe how tiny and fragile they looked from our vantage point 1500 feet
above. We circled overhead, and I watched as Erin and Geoff prepared to
release the remaining 10 members of the Class of 2009 from their temporary
pen below, and listened as Joe gave the cue to release them for a final air
pickup. The young cranes came charging out of the pen, and I held my breath
as they fell into position off Joe’s right wingtip.
(Photo Left: Joe Duff moves in for an air pickup.)
The
bidding on a spectacular piece of quilted wall art by award winning quilter
and designer, Roberta Williams, opened early last fall. The auction,
conducted by 'silent bid', ran through until 5:00pm EST last evening.
This
photograph of 804, 814, 818*, 827, 830* when they stopped off at the
Chassahowitzka NWR pensite was taken by Sara Zimorski (ICF) on January 8,
2010.
Between
the longer time on the road due to the skipped stopover, losing an hour on
the switch from Central to Eastern Time, and CraneCam and equipment issues
on arrival, all those things that usually get accomplished on the afternoon
of a fly day didn't quite get ticked off the list.
Fear
of a frost build up on the trike wings had the pilots waiting until the very
last second to open the hangar doors and push out. (Left: Pilots costuming
up and waiting for sun to come out.)
The
just shy of 80 people stomping and shivering in the cold this morning were
eventually rewarded with some terrific views of the Class of 2009 as Brooke
led them overhead in what turned out to be an abortive departure attempt.
It
took a while to convince the CraneCam to cooperate this morning, so the
7:00am live broadcast had a bit of a late start. The temperature and heavy
frost may have had something to do with the problem. It was more by good
luck than by good management that I eventually got it to maintain a
continuous stream. A teckie I am not.
Those
of you who were watching the CraneCam the afternoon of the very high winds
will have heard quite a lot of banging.
It's
not going to be very pleasant here today. Already the Jamboree is doing a
little rock n' roll as the alternating SE and ESE winds buffet my motorhome.
The overnight rain has stopped, but the weatherman says it will be back in
spades shortly. He's calling for thunderstorms in fact, so I guess I'd
better break out the rainsuit for my time at the CraneCam today.
Sorry
folks, I have no lead pilot report to post for you. But, thanks to flyover
attendee, John Bendall, I do have a super photo to share.
At
this time of year in southern Illinois the crops have been harvested and
many of the fields have been disked. With the inch and a half of rain that
fell this week there is standing water everywhere. The only field available
to Don and Paula was soft and damp, and when they touched down at the
slowest possible speed, the nose wheel dug in. It collapses under the
strain, and their momentum carried the tail up and over the top in what
Paula described as, "an elegant roll."
showed the potential
for a nice little push up top.
Yet
to migrate
