The "extended migration" begins with the pilots
unpacking the trikes from the aircraft trailer and readying them
for flight. Thanks again to Roy Sieger at Dunnellon Airport for
allowing us to use their facility.
508 follows Richard from Halpata to Chass on January 9, Day 1
of the 'extended migration.
On January 10/Day 2, six juveniles are successfully led to the
Chassahowitzka pensite! Day 2 flyers were 509, 510, 511, 514,
521, and 522.
Aerial photo of the pensite at Chassahowitzka National
Wildlife Refuge.
Costumed handlers coax the non-fliers to Chass back to the
Halpata pen.
The reluctant flyers are all back in the Halpata pen.
Mark Nipper chats with Craniacs hopeful for a glimpse of
ultralights and Whooping cranes.
At approximately 8:45am Brook approaches Chass
with a lone bird. Thanks to Laurie Kramer who provided us with some of the
photos above.
Just 10 minutes behind is Richard with two
more willing flyers.
The two photos immediately above were sent to
us by Mark and Peggy Chenoweth who made the early morning drive
from Kissimmee to Crystal River hoping to see a flyover. They
hung around until 10:15am to see if there were any more
'incoming'. Unfortunately for them and for us, they missed
seeing and photographing Chris arriving leading the last 8
birds.
