Cranes and Vegatation

Whooping Crane

Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday greetings last week. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Mom and Dad came down for a visit this past weekend and we had a really great time together. After enjoying some morning coffee (they arrived the night before after dropping Oscar off at a local kennel), we embarked on a trip to Baraboo to the International Crane Foundation. This specialized "crane zoo" is designed to give visitors an up-close and personal experience with crances. The Foundation itself works to protect and restore wild crane populations and their ecosystems.

A sleepy Siberian

Although not a very large place, the Foundation is expanding (a Spirit of Africa exhibit is set to open June 20 and will feature cranes native to Africa) and has a well-deserved reputation for being a popular landmark for the Baraboo community. In addition to showcasing ALL fifteen live crane species, there is an educational center, a library specializing in birds, a small lecture hall, a giftshop, acreage for prairie restoration, and some walking trails.

We thought it might rain on us, but the weather was in our favor; overcast but warm. Mom, Dad and I strolled through the bird exhibits, awed by the beauty, size, and tenacious behavior of these bold birds. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see all of the cranes as they are doing major reconstruction on some of the exhibit areas for the Spirit of Africa, but we saw most of them. (The park gave us free passes to return after June 20, when the exhibit will be completed.)

Red-Crowned

At this point, the whooping crane exhibit is the most striking. The birds are captive, but kept in a "natural" environment. Watching these birds was a very peaceful experience.

Mom and Dad observing the behaviors of the whooping crane

Whooping Crane

All of the birds, however, were interesting and entertaining in their own right. We were particularly impressed with the looks of the grey crowned crane. How could you not be?

Grey Crowned Crane

The sarus cranes, which are the largest of the species, hid their stature from us when we first walked by...they were laying down...but as we walked past them on the way out, they were very much awake and anxious to "dance". ALL of the cranes were very vocal, and if you've ever heard one, you immediately think that you are walking among dinosaurs. Their calls are very loud, distinct and harsh. They also like to call out after you walk away from their area, thinking that they have booted you out by their imposing behavior (they will rush towards you, sometimes puffing their feathers out and opening their massive wings), a "victory call".

Sarus Cranes

While at the Crane Foundation, we also enjoyed the blooming of spring flowers in both the prairie and wooded areas.

We checked out educational center and had a little fun with some lovely sculptures that were on the grounds.

Mom getting "attacked"

In the education center next to paper maiche cranes

After leaving Baraboo, we stopped and had lunch in Prairie du Sac and went to a tack shop where dad perused the western shirts. We also stopped at a quilting store on the westside of Madison that Mom had never been to. In the evening we went to Captain Bill's where Mom and Dad treated me to a birthday dinner. By this time, it was really sunny and warm and we were able to sit outside on the deck and eat. Mark was too busy working to have a chance to really talk to us, but we enjoyed watching the boats on Lake Mendota and the people of the neighborhood grilling on their little decks and lawns.

Lily wishes she could have gone to the Crane Foundation with us

Mingo and Lily

Before they left on Sunday, Mom and Dad came with us to Van and Judy's, where we usually walk our dogs. They were able to visit with Judy while Mark and I took the hounds for a stroll. We also showed them the garden that the Valaskey men planted and are tending. Hopefully, more impressive pictures of this will be posted as things actually begin to grow.