1 Skein of Sandhill Cranes Makes a Spring

by Rebecca Cuningham

Famous Wisconsin naturalist Aldo Leopold wrote in his Sand County Almanac, “One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of a March thaw, is the spring.” Well, with our warmer temperatures we have geese in Madison all year round now. So I will amend it this February with; cranes. One skein of Sandhill Cranes…is the spring.”

Eagle and I had a profound experience on our Monday afternoon walk at Cherokee Marsh. As we hiked, we saw flocks and flocks of water birds on the Upper Yahara River that borders the park. We saw (and heard) geese, mallards, and even caught glimpses of white swans.

Upper Yahara River Fowl Photo: RC

We climbed a hill and sat on a bench facing a field. As we talked, we heard a unique noise. The unmistakeable throaty rattle of sandhill cranes! They flew directly over our heads. It was astonishing. A group of 9, then a group of 3. Later on we saw another large group of 12. They did not fly directly into the water, but spun in a holding pattern for several minutes looking for the best landing spot with the fewest other waterfowl nearby, we imagined.

As Eagle and I sat amazed by their majestic procession, I had the feeling of millennia of history of human observation of migrating birds in that same spot. We were watching the season change before our eyes, in a time honored way.

The spirit of the birds and the spirits of the people who came before us tie us to the land. Yet the cranes set their rhythms millions of years before humans existed to observe them. Flocks of celestial birds make the land sacred with their whirring, ratchet cries, their improbably long-legged flights and their graceful river baptisms. We are part of their wheel of life, the wheel of life, we are not the spinners. In my country, we long- and short-term immigrants have forgotten that all creatures, all land, all flora and fauna are connected in mystic concert.

Cranes over the Trees Photo: RC

Perhaps one of our worst crimes as Europeans in the Americas was dismissing a sense of all creatures as brother and sisters, dismissing earth-love as pagan; that which could save us at this very moment. Does the earth and our sun not deserve our respect? The aching beauty of nature seeks to awaken our consciousness of life.

Afternoon on the North Yahara River Photo: RC

The rugged marsh grass yellow and brown to the red osier dogwood crimson is a printed invitation. You are cordially invited to dedicate yourself to saving the planet from ourselves. Why don’t we worship the elegance and seamlessness of creation? Let’s take that leap for the earth.

Red Osier Dogwood Photo: RC

Happy Leap Day! What is a favorite sign of the change of seasons for you?

¡Olé! –Rebecca

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Rebecca Cuningham

59 thoughts on “1 Skein of Sandhill Cranes Makes a Spring”

  7. Great photos, Rebecca. It’s amazing to see the number of eagles in our part of the country. I often spot them in the Quad Cities, soaring over the Mississippi River, and they are truly spectacular. “Does the earth and our sun not deserve our respect?”, They absolutely do, and our lives depend on how much respect we have for them.

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      1. That is something I enjoy in this area and one of the reasons we decided to settle here. The Mississippi River, eagles, awesome trails for runs—what’s not to like? All of this resides in this beautiful Earth.

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  13. A terrific post. And lucky you, to have cranes. I’e only once seen them overhead, and that was in France. They’re being re-introduced here, but further south, and slowly, slowly …. My favourite sign of changing seasons is the first snowdrop, in January. A true sign of hope.

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      9. Oh yes!!
        I did in fact

        I wanted to be alone, because I like being alone
        I went there alone 😁

        I tried clicking some of my own pics, but wind was heavy 😅

        It was some good me time
        Especially with my bike 🏍️

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  15. You and Eagle sitting and feeling the presence of millennia in that spot reminds me of a book I read years ago: “Ceremonial Time: Fifteen Thousand Years on One Square Mile.” I went to the spot described and worked to get at the mindset that the author described, a feeling of the tribes still walking there.

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  16. As a child and healthier adult, I loved the walks with nature all around me. Now, less healthy with decades of separation between us, my spirit longs for some reconciliation as longer, warmer days begin. Maryg

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  17. The first daffodil bloom signals spring’s coming for me. I love how elegantly you wrote about the cranes and other birds you and Eagle saw on your walk! And yes, it is tragic that the Europeans who came to America did not learn from the natives how to appreciate and honor the wildlife. Great post!

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