Last month we joined the migration craze with a trip to Nebraska to see one of nature’s most spectacular sights: the gathering of cranes.
Every year, for a few short weeks in late February to early April, thousands of Sandhills Cranes and hundreds of Whooping Cranes converge on the braided shoreline of the Platte River. Described as “a mile wide and an inch deep,” the river’s abundant sandbars provide a safe place for them to rest and refuel before continuing their migration north.
We made a 6 a.m. reservation with the Crane Trust for a viewing blind right on the river. I’ve gotta say, neither my photography or words can adequately describe this thrill. Our group quietly arrived before dawn while the cranes were still roosting on a nearby sandbar. As the sunrise progressed, so did their wakening. Their distinctive bugling became louder, they started stretching their wings and dancing—it was all so fascinating.
And then, as if on cue—whoosh!—they all at once took to the sky, thousands of them in a chaos of trumpeting against the orange sunrise. I barely had time to switch from my camera to my video before they flew away to feed in nearby fields. Interestingly, once the day was over, they all came back to the shelter of the river and did the same thing the next morning.
A Spiritual Connection
Isn’t it amazing to think of this ancient journey repeating year after year? These migratory wings filling the sky, guided by instincts divinely written into their design. Watching this filled me with a great spirituality. I’m awed by the connection God gave his creatures to the seasonal rhythms of the Earth. I want to be part of this connection. I want to contribute to a careful stewardship of his creation.
Cranes for Earth Day
Today is Earth Day and I’m celebrating cranes and the beauty of God’s creation with my latest poster, a watercolor-styled illustration inspired by Psalm 24:1. At the heart of the design is the Hebrew phrase ū·mə·lō·w·’āh, meaning “and all its fullness.” These words—as ancient as a crane’s migratory flight—are perfect for Earth Day. They remind us that the earth, and every living thing in it, are part of God’s abundant creation.
Happy Earth Day, dearest peoples!
Want to showcase these inspiring words? Find this piece at my Pictorem gallery.