I hear them before I see them. A thin, but distinct, gargling cry. Squinting into the sun, there they are, high in the sky, circling to catch a thermal, the sun catching their wings flashing white against the blue as they turn.

Sandhill Cranes

Right on schedule for spring migration, they are heading north from the Great Central Valley, to head on over Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia to Alaska. Perhaps even as far as eastern Siberia. I always feel a bit insignificant, feet firmly on the ground, head tilted back, and kind of left out as they head off on that great adventure. As they peel off to head north i silently wish them, Bon Voyage.

http://cranewatch.org/news/lesser-sandhill-crane-migration-california-to