I love visiting this scenic spot in the spring, where many birds visit during migration. But on this sunny morning, I only saw geese, a trumpeter swan, and a noisy grackle. Then, I spotted two sandhill cranes herky-jerking through the long grasses at the edge of the pond. Oops! Turns out there were three, and their loud bugling made it clear they weren’t happy to see me.
I headed to Tiesma and Peterson Beaches to photograph the returning Piping Plovers. I followed back roads through the Crystal Highlands corridor that I hadn’t traveled before. Trees were leafing out, and I saw some new barns hidden in the hills. Arriving at the Lakeshore, I scoured the dunes for these beautiful little birds but didn’t find a single one. Still, the beauty of these beaches and wetlands made the drive worthwhile.
