I got out early so that I might see some Sandhill Cranes flying off the lake. If there had been any concentration of them they had already left. You can see a few dark spots that might be Geese or Ducks along the water edge, but no Cranes in sight.

As I got a little East of Baileyboro I noticed this small flock feeding on some old Milo stubble. They didn’t like being looked at from a vehicle that had just stopped. Too many times in the past the next thing they knew they were being shot at. Well not this time from me.

These big birds are not the most graceful of flyers, but they can leave the area in a hurry when they need too. Their wing span can be from five to six feet. They stand from head to toe at least three feet high. That’s a lot to get going in an emergency.

Once they got airborne they headed back South toward the old lakebed. That must be where they are hanging out this winter. Most of the Cranes have used the refuge, but the moisture we receive has scattered them to some of the other playa lakes.

I went back by the Baileyboro lake to see if I might get a picture of them coming in, but they must have stopped off along the way. Only thing showing was reflection off of the East bank of the lake.

Well that was my travel for today and it looks like where the Farmers have worked the fields that were blowing have done a good job. They held thru a big wind yesterday. You just can’t beat a good rain to make West Texas a good place to live. Thank you Lord again for the moisture. John Tucker