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Tony Harvey: After initial doubts, day brought more than hoped Operation Migration was even more spectacular than Tony Harvey had ever hoped it would be. Great photographs of whooping cranes in formation behind ultralight accompany this narrative. By Tony Harvey I arrived at Wolf Creek Dam at 5:30pmCT, besides me there were two other vehicles in the visitors center parking lot. Weather conditions weren't very promising and I actually had considered going back to my warm bed. With thetemperature at 29 degrees F., along with cloud ceiling at 2800 ft, I seriously doubted that there would be a flyover. After I got settled in and everything organized within reach, I called Mr. Waggener to let him know that I was on site. I hated telling him that it wasn't looking very good, but that I was going to sit it out for the duration. Wolf Creek Dam itself looked eerie beneath the clouds The dam itself looked eerie beneath the clouds lit up by all of the lights around the huge transformers looming nearby. I thought about getting a picture of the scene but the lighting conditions weren't acceptable for good image. As the sky began to slowly get lighter I noticed that the clouds seemed to be breaking up somewhat. After waiting around for almost a hour, another vehicle pulled up outside of the visitor center. It was time to introduce myself to the stranger in the truck He got out of his truck and walked over to one of the other USFW vehicles and began talking to the two people that were in it. After sitting there for a few minutes I decided to get out and introduce myself. His name was James Gray. He worked out of the Wolf Creek office below the dam. He had his doubts as well. He had just spoke to one of the people with Operation Migration and they were still debating things. Once the sun had came up we all got into our vehicles and went up on the main road that crosses the dam. While we were down below the dam the winds were tolerable to say the least, up top was another story. They weren't over 5 mph. But given the temperature, the wind chill made us all put on our gloves. At 6:45am, some spotted the top cover plane At around 6:45am, someone spotted the top cover plane flying nearby, which made everyone happy. They made a few passes and circled the area for about 10 minutes. Then someone spotted one of the ultra-light (UL)takingoff. That really got our hearts beating. It looked as if the time was getting closer to actually being able to see these majestic creatures fly over on their way to Tennessee. The UL's went through the same process as the top cover plane, just not as high. The UL's fly between 1000 ft & 2500 ft maximum, under perfect conditions during the migration flights. Operation Migration has 4 UL's that help guide the flight. Sometimes an ultralight pilot will use his craft to corral one of the strays. After making a few rounds all of the UL's landed back at the campsite. I walked down to Mr. Gray's vehicle to see what was going on and to find out why they were landing. Mr. Gray had a bad feeling about the situation He had a bad feeling about that happening, and said that normally once up in the air they will stay up if they are going to attempt the next leg of the migration. So we waited awhile and it really didn't look like it was going to a fly day. As of 7:15CT they were allstill on the ground and the wind was really feeling colder as we waited. Then at around 7:30CT I spotted one of the UL's taking off, then the others all followed suit. As they circled, the swamp monster, as they call him, ran the cranes from the holding pen. This is what they do to get the birds to leave the pen in order to begin the flight. It took a couple of circles by Brooke, I believe it was,about 10-12 decided to give chase behind Brooke. All the while the others were being stubborn as usual, from what I've read at OM's website. All but three of the birds were behind first ultra-light Finally, all but three of the birds were tucked in behind Brooke. It looked like. Within a few minutes they were headed our way, slowly but surely. As they flew closer we all became very excited that it really going to happen today, and we were all going to witness it. In due time they were within camera range so I began shooting, but my fingers had became so cold I wasn't able to get the images I had hoped for. Within just a few minutes it was all over, or so we thought. While we all stood together reliving the moment and comparing pictures that we had taken. Suddenly it had dawned on me that just 3 of the UL's had flown by with the group of birds. Which made me realize that there was still another UL somewhere. So I turned around back towards the camp site and then I saw the 4th UL just rising above the tree's headed our way. I looked into my binoculars and saw three more whooper's following closely behind the UL. By this time it had became daylight and I had warmed my hands up enough to be able to feel them an my camera. This time I was ready and prepared to get some good images. The pilot couldn't have been more than 100 feet away The pilot flying this flew right over our heads and couldn't have been more than 100 ft above us. I was able to get some good images of these stragglers. In justa couple of minutes is was all over. Still it well worth the wait, no matter how cold it may have been. All together there were approximately 12-15 people who came to view this spectacular sight. Some may ask what's so spectacular about a bunch of birds? What you need to understand is this: in 1971 there were no more than 40 of these beautiful whooping cranes alive in the entire world. We almost lost them forever, never to see them fly again. Now the the whooping crane population has recovered to nearly 300 Now there are close to 300 that are known to be alive today. That still isn't very many considering that, at one time, there hundreds of thousands of the magnificent creatures. We are loosing different species of birds on a daily basis world wide, which in my opinion is very sad to have happening. All birds play apart in the ecology and have a lastingeffect on many different things. Things that in the long run effect each and every one of us here on this small blue dot that we call home. Once they are gone we can't build a new one, the way we make an automobile or build a house. So hopefully this story will touch someone in a way that it will make them look around and notice the birds that we see every day. That we will consider it a gift and not take them for granted. They deserve to live just like we do as humans. I hope that you will enjoy the pictures. If nothing else, at least appreciate the wild things that live around us. Roll call of those braving the cold What follow are the names of those who were willing to brave the cold to have the chance to see this beautiful birds fly over head on their way to Tn. James Gray USFW Wolf Creek, Kate Hayden, USFW Frankfort, Ky.relocated recently from Missouri, Danny Watson USFW Frankfort, KY. Denise, Campbellsville, KY, Gay Hodges, Somerset, Ky., Amanda Patrick USFW Wolf Creek, Deward Fortney, Knifley, KY., Tom & Joan Price Jamestown, KY, Don Wilson Russell Springs, Ky. There were 5-6 more peopleon the other end of the dam whose names I wasn't able to get talk to. This story was posted on 2007-12-06 15:56:17
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Casey Jury finds Trooper B.J. Burton not guilty Police make drug arrest early this morning. Birds of Kentucky: Sandhill cranes fly over Quiet in Columbia as all await jury decision in trial of trooper Tony Harvey: Whooping cranes are off to Tennessee! Nick Flatt benefit is Dec. 8, 2007, at Salem Elementary Judge Loy orders continuance in criminal littering case Gas Price Drumbeat: Prices on trip to Louisville The Cranes: Adair Countian Tony Harvey at event this morning Remembering: The unforgettable Sylvia Wilson View even more articles in topic News |
 
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