Jasper-Pulaski Park- Sandhill Cranes

Jasper-Pulaski Park- Sandhill Cranes

Saturday we went to the Jasper-Pulaski Park   

http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods/photos/sandhill.htm

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3109.htm

to see the "thousands" of Sandhill Cranes.  The funny part, is that there were huge flocks in the farms before we got to the park; but at the park-----you guessed it; there were only 20-30 cranes!  There were at least 23 deer in the same field; and also Canadian geese.  I had been wondering if there would be geese among the cranes.  So, I didn't get very many good pictures of the cranes; and I didn't get any pictures of "thousands"!!!!  But, you know what---We had such a great time!  And we will go back in the fall when the cranes will really be at their peak.   

After the first park we went to another park we had been wanting to check out--Prophetstown State Park     

http://prophetstown.org/    

This park is named after Tecumseh's (an American Shawnee Indian) brother--a.k.a. "The Prophet"...that is a long story, so if you are interested in the history, it is very interesting; but complicated!

The "X" shows you were we are, at this park, in Indiana.

At Eagle Creek Park, we see many Great Blue Heron. They are about the same size as the Sandhill Cranes, but the cranes have a straight neck that does not bend in that distinctive "S" shape that we see in the herons as they stand on the ground beside the water. I have not seen Sandhill Cranes land here, and I believe they are just flying over our area to get to Jasper-Pulaski's rest-stop to get to their final destinations. Our area, Brownsburg,  is not a "rest-stop" for them, but we do seem to be under their highway and get to see them and hear them so much in the spring and fall. Do you know, they only weigh 7-9.8 pounds? Such a big bird, yet so very light. Anyway, I could keep talking---but I better stop here. Keep your ears open too--that is usually how I catch them first...although the past few weeks, even when I am driving I can't help but see the big flocks in the sky! 

The view from up in the Viewing Tower.  They had about 6 metal stand binoculars for people to use to look out into the fields surrounding the tower.  It would be amazing if the fields were full of cranes...but, not the day or time when we were there.  We just had one flock to look at and watch.

This was the easy walking path-

This park didn't have any trails, so we had to make do and decided to walk down this long path.  First we went down the one side, and it had a little bit of snow--no big deal...then at the end Dh asks if we want to walk down the other side.  I say, "no, we should stay on the side we just walked..." and Dh and Dd are up for the snowy side....so, democracy wins and we go the down the new side.  Do you see the photo above?  See Dd's left foot above and how the right foot is under the snow.  Dd had it the easiest, since she is the lightest and didn't fall through the snow every single step (like Dh and I!!!)  But, at least we did get a really, really good workout which we wouldn't have gotten if we had just walked on the easy side! 

The snow had frozen over to make a hard top, that we fell through, with each step--which made for hard walking.

I found this algae very interesting.  I took a few photo's, but just thought I'd show you all this one--- there were so many cool things on this hike.

This lovely couple had my attention for a long time.  They found a thermal and circled around and around as they rose up higher and higher.  It really is nice to just stop and watch birds with 7 foot wings spans, spread out and take their time slowly raising up into the endless sky.

Prophetstown State Park seemed like a nice park--we had our picnic dinner here and decided it was a park that we need to come back and visit again soon.  We didn't do a proper hike here, as it was getting late and we needed to head home.  This was more of a research stop--and we did that!  And I collected 2 wonderful Milkweed stalks (already found a home in a corner in my house) and found a Preying Mantis egg case, and brought those things home....shh!

Did you know Indiana has LOTS of these Solar Energy Windmills, especially in northern Indiana?  Here are 2 pictures just to give you some idea of how prevalent they are around these parts---

Monon is a big deal around here--the railroad came through here...and decided where there would be towns based on that. 

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