Sad Loss

BIG BROTHER

These Whooping Cranes made a long and arduous trip - 76 days (22 Flight Days) 1,234 miles arriving at their destination in Florida on January 9th. I was fortunate to have been able to be at the Dunnellon airport to witness their flyby. The entire 2006 migrating flock was lost on February 2nd during a tornado that struck the area. Also an Eagle nest here in the Villages was destroyed by that same tornado.







If you are interested I will post the web page for the Whooping Crane migration.

BIG BROTHER

Web Site
Here is the web site for the Whooping Crane Migration.

http://www.operationmigration.org/Field_Journal.html

RogersDA

Those first two are very neat shots. That's so sad about the flock.

As an aside - you have dust spots.

Frog Lady

so much depends on the whims of mother nature. I'm sorry to hear about this devistation. How did the villages fare?

C.

dbaker1221

I had just read this story earlier. I believe they came from up here. sad

Gale

Wonderful images
Think I would dontate them to the crane folks.
So glad you could record this.
Soooo sad for sure.
I am sure many animals were lost in that horrible tornado. (as with people)
I am about 80 miles south in brevard county. Not a comforting distance.
Bad stuff this time of year.

BIG BROTHER

RogersDA wrote:

Those first two are very neat shots. That's so sad about the flock.

As an aside - you have dust spots.

Thanks David. Found out today that one of the Cranes that was giving them a hard time and not penned made it:ivar

As to the dust spots - I had fixed one of the same shot and posted the one that did not get "cleaned up"
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Jim

BIG BROTHER

Frog Lady wrote:

so much depends on the whims of mother nature. I'm sorry to hear about this devistation. How did the villages fare?

C.

You are so right Coleen. The Villages got hit as well, about 5 miles south of us - pretty bad. The tornado came across the Eagle Preserve here and wiped out everything :cry
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Jim

BIG BROTHER

dbaker1221 wrote:

I had just read this story earlier. I believe they came from up here. sad

It is sad considering what they went through to get here. Thanks

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Jim

BIG BROTHER

Gale wrote:

Wonderful images
Think I would dontate them to the crane folks.
So glad you could record this.
Soooo sad for sure.
I am sure many animals were lost in that horrible tornado. (as with people)
I am about 80 miles south in brevard county. Not a comforting distance.
Bad stuff this time of year.

Thanks for the comments Gail. There have been some interesting stories in the lasts few days about family pets that have been credited with saving their masters. I would hope that most of those animals who live in the wild made it somehow.
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Jim

Osprey Whisperer

Neat series Jim. It was sad to hear the bad news about all the losses from the storms. Would have been nice to have some cranes to shoot in the near future. Too bad about the eagles too. Those 20 or so folks that lost thier lives was horrible as well. Tornados suck. I'd rather deal with our hurricanes.

Good to see you are o.k. Will you be heading South to the MI4 shoot this week? I'm heading there tomoor afternoon for Harry's BBQ.

BIG BROTHER

Eagle fans Rejoice !! Although the storm destroyed the active nest here in the Villages, the male was found alive. He suffered a broken foot, damaged wing and trauma to the chest and one of its eyes. He has been taken to The Center of Birds or Prey in Orlando. The female was seen flying overhead as the male was being captured for treatment. One of the rescurers said "Maybe she apprared because she was happy to see the male getting taken care of." Unfortunately, the two chicks that were in the nest have not been found. Makes the heart sad and happy at the same time.
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Jim

BIG BROTHER

Bird Man Photographer wrote:

Neat series Jim. It was sad to hear the bad news about all the losses from the storms. Would have been nice to have some cranes to shoot in the near future. Too bad about the eagles too. Those 20 or so folks that lost thier lives was horrible as well. Tornados suck. I'd rather deal with our hurricanes.

Good to see you are o.k. Will you be heading South to the MI4 shoot this week? I'm heading there tomoor afternoon for Harry's BBQ.

Thanks for the comments Mike. Will not be making this shoot - will miss getting together with you again. Just posted a message about the Eagles, some good news. Maybe you will get the chance to see him when you visit The Center of Birds or Prey in Orlando. If they will not let you go wherever he is, they might be able to tell you how he is doing. Supposedly, if he improves by this Friday he has a very good chance of surviving. Enjoy the shoot.
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Jim

John Chapman

Hi
a very sad story. Do you know if any nesting ospreys got wiped out?
http://johnchapmanphotographer.smugmug.com/

CookieS

I find it Surreal that an hour away such devastation. i remember thinking that night it was like a mini hurricane with all the rain and wind. but Not any real damage in Ocala area. then i saw the news on the villages and was stunned.

BIG BROTHER

John Chapman wrote:

Hi
a very sad story. Do you know if any nesting ospreys got wiped out?
http://johnchapmanphotographer.smugmug.com/

John, I do not know for sure but since the storm passed over two lakes where there were nests I would have to think that the news would not be good. One can only hope. I will let you know if I find out.
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Jim

BIG BROTHER

CookieS wrote:

I find it Surreal that an hour away such devastation. i remember thinking that night it was like a mini hurricane with all the rain and wind. but Not any real damage in Ocala area. then i saw the news on the villages and was stunned.

Hello Neighbor. It hit about 5 miles from us!! We are truly blessed that it did not come any closer.

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Jim

BIG BROTHER

Good news on the Eagles!! One of the baby chicks has been found and sent to Orlando to be with Dad. The mother circled as one of the workers held the chick before it was transported. He said it was the most magnificant thing he had ever done holding the little one in his hands They tried to search for the other chick in the brush - must had gotten close because the mother was circling as they walked and then landed in a tree close to where they were watching every move. Unfortunately, they did not find the chick, but are hopeful that it is still alive and the mother is taking care of it. Will keep you posted.
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Jim