Photographing Sandhill Cranes in Kearney, Nebraska

Above photo: Sandhill cranes take flight from the central Platte River near Kearney. Photo by David F. Hunter
Story and photos by Brad Clement
Brad is a photographer and filmmaker specializing in mountaineering and wilderness adventure. He is based in Boulder, Colorado.
The small town welcomes 500,000 birds and those who come to see them.
They chatter, they squawk and they squeak, both in the air and on the ground. Sometimes they honk or hiss. When hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes vocalize all at once, the overpowering cacophony makes for quite an impressive wildlife viewing experience.
Every year between late February and early April, 80% of the world’s sandhill crane population congregates along the central Platte River near Kearney, Nebraska. Some 400,000 to 600,000 of the birds migrate north from their wintering grounds in Texas to the Arctic regions for the summer months, and the river provides an ideal way station.
And that’s how I ended up in the Midwest in March. Some years, more than 15,000 bird lovers drive to Kearney during the birds' annual migration, according to the Kearney Visitors Bureau.
When I was first asked to make a road trip to photograph the cranes, I scratched my head a bit. Nebraska? Birding? I was tempted to say no, but the invitation came from Dave Hunter, an electronics engineer who also happens to be an amazing nature photographer. Dave has traveled across North America to photograph all types of wildlife. His favorite subjects are grizzly bears and birds of prey, but now he was talking to me about cranes.
A Road Trip to Nebraska
I couldn’t ignore a chance to spend a couple of days with Dave and maybe learn a thing or two at the same time. Next thing I knew, we were making plans and packing bags, preparing to drive from our respective homes in Boulder, Colorado, to Kearney, a town of about 33,000 people. Kearney is best known for corn production and, as it turns out, sandhill cranes.
The long-legged birds are tall, measuring up to almost 4 feet high, with a wingspan of over 6 feet. Fully grown, they can weigh 9 or 10 pounds. The cranes are dark gray, with pale cheeks and red skin on the crown. By day, they feed on grains and insects in fields and at night they nest in the shallow waters of the Platte, where they are safe from coyotes and raccoons.
As we wrapped up the 374-mile drive from Boulder to Kearney, I watched Dave transform from engineer to photographer. He had traveled here before, so he knew the choice viewing locations and how best to snap photos of the birds. Dave carried two cameras, one with a 70-300 millimeter lens, the other with a whopping 500-millimeter fixed lens. My kit paled in comparison, but it’s always fun learning from an expert.
The weather was gorgeous, almost 70 degrees and sunny. As the clock ticked closer to sunset, we drove about 15 miles east of Kearney toward the public viewing platforms along the Platte River. Dave was hoping to grab shots of birds silhouetted against the sunset as they flew to the river. His plan was realized even before we made it to the viewing platforms, as we began witnessing birds in flight. We parked and began snapping photos.
What struck me most was the incessant calls of the birds — beautiful and intense sounds, a constant thrum from thousands upon thousands of birds, calls that continued into the night. Lost in time as we witnessed the spectacle, it seemed as soon as it had begun, it was over, and the sky was empty again.
After Breakfast, a Car Museum
Over dinner, we devised a plan for the next morning. We would drive before daylight to one of the viewing areas along the river and wait there for sunrise. The next morning, Mother Nature did not cooperate, and we woke up to snow and stormy skies, not ideal for great photography. Time for Plan B.
After breakfast, we visited the Kearney Classic Car Collection, a museum with more than 200 classic cars on display. We were taken with the variety of vehicles — Corvettes, Camaros of all vintages, Model A Fords and good old station wagons from the 1970s. It was so interesting to see the evolution of cars from some of the very first all the way through to modern day. Then we cruised back into town, where we asked locals to recommend the best place for lunch.
Everyone mentioned the same place: Tex’s Cafe. With décor straight out of the 1950s, Tex’s serves satisfying grub with small town charm. I ordered a patty melt and Dave went for a classic cheeseburger. As I learned over the course of our trip, Dave often opts for a good burger. After lunch, the skies began to clear enough for good photography.
Our first stop was the Rowe Sanctuary, a 2,400-acre parcel of land dedicated to providing a safe haven for the cranes. Later, we spent the evening atop the Plautz Viewing Platform, south of Gibbon off Interstate 80. Numerous public viewing stations exist in the area, and the Rowe Sanctuary offers paid tours. We opted for the public areas and were not disappointed. As night approached, close to 70,000 birds began flocking to the river.
Some Photography Tips
Generally a reserved guy, Dave really lights up when he has a camera in hand, and he is happy to share tips. Patience and studying the species at hand are as important as learning the camera equipment, he says, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. He also believes you can learn as much from the bad shots as the good.
The next morning we were back at the Plautz Viewing Platform before sunrise. Looking out over the river and hearing thousands of cranes welcome daylight from their roosts was surreal, somehow unworldly. As morning light filtered in, we photographed the cranes for about an hour. Then, rising as one tremendous flock, the birds lifted off and headed for the fields. In his element, Dave snapped over 500 photos in about 15 minutes.
Early on, I stopped shooting pictures and just watched in wonder as it all unfolded, and I’ll never forget it. On the drive back to Colorado, I commented that Nebraska had much more to offer than I’d expected — gorgeous landscapes, remarkably kind people and, of course, the sandhill cranes. We’d both enjoyed Nebraska so much that we decided to add a couple of days to our road trip so we could drive the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway on our way back home.
So glad we did.
Spring Ski Touring on Coquihalla Summit
Vancouver’s proximity to the mountains offers adventure any time of year.
Kenai Fjords National Park
This remote Alaska destination offers towering glaciers, crystalline waterways and wildlife galore.
Washington’s San Juan Islands Offer Outdoor Adventures
Beach camping, fine dining and whale watching all are available in the scenic archipelago.
Palo Duro lives in the Grand Canyon’s shadow
The second largest canyon in the United States is nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of Texas.”
Spelunking in the Black Hills of South Dakota
Road trip to explore caves leads to fun places and tight space.
Rediscovering Roots in South Dakota’s Black Hills
A road trip reminds one traveler how his home shaped him forever.
Dream of Diamonds? Take a road trip to Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only publicly accessible diamond site.
Southern Illinois Road Trip Features Hidden Gem Outdoor Adventures
Shawnee National Forest welcomes campers, hikers, climbers and waterfall lovers.
Fourteener Fever
For the past 25 years, Connie Gelb Otteman’s family has crisscrossed Colorado's high country on a mad mission to climb all 58 14,000-foot peaks.
The Hidden Side of Las Vegas
A day trip to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area provides a welcome contrast to the glitz of the Strip.
Pier Fishing Along Florida’s Gulf Coast
Even if you don’t catch a thing, you can still savor the experience.
Glamping in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains
Glamping is a more luxurious form of traditional camping that still allows you to connect with nature.
Floating with Friends on Ozark Rivers
For almost half a century, a group of high school buddies have bonded on the water.
The Lure of Monarch Butterflies, Tropical Citrus and Paddle Boarding
A weekend getaway from Mexico City to Valle de Bravo offers butterfly-watching and fun at the lake.
Hiking to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon
Six family members immerse themselves in nature and attempt to bond.
Road Trip to See Waterfalls in Tennessee
A loose travel itinerary allows discoveries around every turn.
Stargazing in Texas: McDonald Observatory and Beyond
West Texas' dry climate and sparse population create ideal conditions.
Solo Traveler Drives Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada
Taking three days to complete this three-hour drive isn’t uncommon; there’s a lot to see.
A San Luis Obispo County Stay, Three Ways
New California residents try camping, glamping and a destination hotel, all in one road trip.
Meeting Wildlife in the Sea of Cortez
The "World’s Aquarium" is so full of marine life, it almost defies belief.
Canyon de Chelly: A Drive to the Home of the Navajo
Native American land inspired an iconic art form.
A Road Trip Through Time: Exploring Mayan Ruins in Mexico
Sites in Yucatán and Quintana Roo offer awe-inspiring history lessons.
Sinkholes and Underwater Caves Rival Tulum’s Caribbean Beaches
In Mexico, clear water in limestone pits beckons travelers.
Drive to Mexico’s Río Secreto, an Underground River
The secret is out at this hidden cave system near Cancun.
Visiting Washington's Olympic National Park in the Offseason
An autumn camping trip offers serenity and easy social distancing.
Road Trip to Montana’s Independently Owned Ski Areas
Mom-and-pop lodges offer affordability and community.
Algonquin Park Scenic Drive
Ontario’s largest provincial park influenced some of Canada’s most iconic art.
Balloon Ride Gives a Bird’s-Eye View of the Sonoran Desert
Scottsdale, Arizona, makes a good base for a new adventure.
Exploring Isle Royale National Park, “The Good Place”
Minnesota’s North Shore All-American Scenic Drive leads to a prime wilderness experience.
Quality Time at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
A western Colorado gem remains almost hidden until you’re there.
Adventures on Maine’s Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway
Hike, swim or just enjoy the views on this rural road trip.
Paddling through Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Three longtime friends reconnect on a camping trip in Superior National Forest.
Road Trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
The iconic bridge is stunning, and our newest national park offers much more.
Sedona Provides a Romantic Setting for a Weekend Getaway
With its towering red rocks, the Arizona desert city has an unforgettable natural beauty.
Glamping in Oregon
An adventure-loving couple takes a more luxurious route to celebrate their anniversary.
Saguaro National Park Drive Features Unique Beauty
The iconic saguaro cactus is a symbol of the Southwest.
Summer Road Trip on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway
The route through the Medicine Bow Mountains features fly-fishing, camping and more.
Type Two Fun: Learning to Mountaineer on the Wapta Icefield
A look into the reasons we explore, and what drives us to stand on summits.
Photographing Sandhill Cranes in Kearney, Nebraska
The small town welcomes 500,000 birds and those who come to see them.
Todos Santos: A Colorful, Seaside Town in Mexico
Local handicrafts, artfully tiled walls and baby turtles delight visitors.
Old Friends Drive the Sea to Sky Highway
A workaholic who dreads weekends and a wanderer constantly in motion explore Canada’s Sea to Sky Highway.
Vancouver Spawns New Friendship
A former university student explores British Columbia’s largest city — and finds spontaneous adventure.
7 Popular Destinations Where You Can Watch Whales in the Wild
Book a flight, rent a car, drive to a marina and board a boat.
Colorado Fourteener Side Trips
If you don't want to climb, families and non-hikers can still find plenty to do near Colorado fourteeners.
The Cumberland Trail Connection
Discover a bike trail that spans Pittsburgh to Washington, DC, connecting cyclists along the way.
An American Safari
The Ponce family travels from their hometown of Chicago, Illinois, to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Start A Reservation
Enjoy fast and easy car rental bookings from Enterprise Rent-A-Car at one of our 7,200 branches in cities, airports and neighborhoods near you.
Reserve Now
Email Offers
Don't miss an excuse to hit the road: our latest offers delivered to your inbox.
Sign Up