The International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin is dedicated to the preservation of cranes. It has all the species of cranes, globally, on its property.

It’s a great place to watch and photograph the birds.  It’s also a fantastic place to take the kids for a weekend trip.

The Whooping Crane exhibit is the largest and most popular exhibit. In May, you can watch mating and nesting rituals in a huge penned-in natural marsh area.

I covered Whooping Cranes and Blue Cranes four previous articles. This article features the Wattled Crane, native to Ethiopia. Wattled Cranes are about six feet tall and weigh about 14 pounds.

Feature Image Details

• Canon EOS 6D (I now use and highly recommend the EOS 5D Mark IV )
• Canon 100-400 MM F 4.5-5.6 L Lens at 400mm
• F5.6 for 1/1250 second at ISO 160

Three Part Sequence

Here are two more images of Wattled Cranes taken at the ICF location in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

The feature image is the middle image in this sequence.

A red-winged blackbird was flying towards the crane. The crane turned and let out a big squawk, then the blackbird instantly reversed direction.

The blackbird received a clear message, don’t fly near me.

Hurricane Harvey

I sadly announce that Hurricane Harvey devasted the International Crane Foundation Houston program.

You can help.

Message from the ICF

During this challenging time, our hearts go out to the people of coastal Texas and all areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. We also are deeply saddened by the devastating flooding that continues to impact Houston and surrounding areas. We at the International Crane Foundation have staff and offices in Rockport and other Texas Gulf coastal areas that suffered a direct hit by the Category 4 hurricane this past weekend.

We are thankful our staff are safe. Our office, unfortunately, was destroyed. As members of the Rockport and broader Texas Gulf coastal community, we are committed to ensuring that our Texas program continues to support the people, landscape and wildlife of the area, especially Endangered Whooping Cranes. We’ve established a donation site specifically to help with cleanup and site renovation in this hard-hit area.

You can help by donating today.

In case you missed them please see my first two articles taken in Baraboo.

• International Crane Foundation: Whooping Cranes Part 1
• International Crane Foundation: Whooping Cranes Part 2
• Save the Cranes: International Crane Foundation Clobbered by Hurricane Harvey
• Blue Cranes, International Crane Foundation: Save the Cranes

Save the cranes!

The ICF is rebuilding its Texas office. It’s a bit over halfway to its very modest goal of $80,000.

Pictured is one of 63 Whooping Crane chicks that hatched this spring in Wood Buffalo National Park in Canada. This crane will fly back to Texas this fall with the last remaining wild flock of Whooping Cranes on the planet.

Please consider a Donation to the International Crane Foundation.

Mike “Mish” Shedlock