The White Water Draw Wildlife Area is a known migration area for the Sandhill Crane. I’m not just talking a flyover, spend the night and continue on its journey. This is home to 10,000+ sandhill cranes from November-February. Do you have any idea how much noise that many cranes make? Wow, what a sound. What used to be a cattle ranch is now a low lying field that collects water and is excellent refuge for the cranes and hundreds of other species.
It’s fascinating to watch them as they soar into the sky like a huge kite tugging on the end of a kite string, swaying to and fro. They defy the wind and circle around until they find just the right spot to land and then dive down with precise accuracy.
This area near McNeal, AZ is a protected area as it provides shelter for many other fowl, including nesting owls and bats. The low lying area allows the sandhill cranes to stand in the grass and water at night protected them from nocturnal animals of prey. At sunrise they fly out into neighboring areas and look for food. A few hours before sunset the skies will begin to darken as they return from their hunt and prepare for rest.
This is our second visit here and it was just as exciting as the first time we were here. There are walking paths around the fields and water to give you opportunities to see them more closely and to observe the other waterfowl.
This is one of those things you just have got to see to believe. When you are in SE Arizona be sure to make this one of your stops. You won’t be disappointed. If you can’t make it there then look around where you are and see what nature has to offer. It’s so beautiful out there. And what better place to be during the madness we are in right now. And while you are out there, look up, it’s amazing out there!
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