The 2008 ultralight migration class of whooping crane fledglings is on its way to wintering grounds in Florida. Whooping cranes are naturally soaring birds that ride thermals and can make this voyage in as little as nine days. But while these juveniles are learning the migration route, they will only fly in the early morning hours before the thermals rise and while the air is very calm. This is because their surrogate parents are ultralights with costume-clad pilots.
Instead of soaring, they will flap their wings and glide, using the vortices from the ultralight wing for lift, or the slight lift from the wings of the bird just in front of them to aid their flight. 
The ultralight migration is now located in Wisconsin and has been grounded a few days due to unfavorable winds for ultralight flying. But some recent photos have been posted that will give you an awesome look at the beautiful plumage of the juveniles, and give you an idea of what its like when the juveniles are let out of their safe enclosure for exercise. You will also see the baggy white costumes worn by pilots and handlers alike, that disguise the human figure enough that our juvenile "ultracranes" do not become accustomed to or feel safe around humans. 
To follow the ultralight migration and its daily ups and downs, visit the Operation Migration field journal. For more of my posts on the ultralight migration, click here.
In my next post I will show you why whooping cranes are not backyard birds.
In my next post I will show you why whooping cranes are not backyard birds.
Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #9, at Birdfreak.com, a weekly photography bird listing to promote bird conservation
Oh how wonderful! I have previously seen a TV program on ultra-light migation, but this is magic. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJust amazing!
ReplyDeleteA very interesting post and lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteFantastic birds you have in your reserve! It looks like in the film that make me look diferent on the birds with the cannadian girl and the geese! Fantastic again!
ReplyDeleteTheo Todorov, Malaga, Spain
www.surfbirds.com/blog/andalucianature
Hi Arija,
ReplyDeleteIt is a story of magic quality, both the come-back of the original wild population and that we can teach juvenile whooping cranes to migrate to help insure the species survives.
Hi Amila,
Isn't it wonderful? I was so amazed that I have followed the recovery project for more than eight years and devoted much of my art to whooping cranes.
Hi Mick,
Thank you. Tennessee has been the mid-point of the ultralight migration since 2001 when I first met the Operation Migration crew. I have since been to each of the wildlife refuges where whooping cranes live, winter and are captive raised which has give me wonderful photo opportunities.
Hi Theo! Yes the movie! "Fly Away Home" with Canada geese was based on the first ultralight migration experiments conducted by Bill Lishman and Joe Duff, co-founders of Operation Migration.
Great team effort, and you are one of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Tabib. You are so right about a team effort. In addition to the Operation Migration crew, it has required cooperation between two countries and a multitude of private and government organizations to save whooping cranes. Not a small accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteI closed before acknowledging the important rest of the team--the many people who support the re-introduction and conservation of whooping cranes and their habitat through donations of time, money and enthusiasm! Every person counts.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome Vickie! They are beautiful birds :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Red. I guess you can tell, I think they're awesome too!
ReplyDelete