International Crane Foundation — Baraboo, Wisconsin
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The International Crane Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
study and conservation of the 15 species of cranes. It’s headquarters, located on a
225-acre reserve in Baraboo, Wisconsin, hosts a captive flock of approximately
100 cranes, which includes the only complete assemblage of all 15 species. I was
most interested in seeing the Whooping Cranes in residence, but, of course, I
couldn’t resist getting photos of as many of the others that were visible in their enclosures. I was able to capture 8 of the 15 extant crane species.
Black Crowned Cranes occupy an important place
in the cultural life of the Turkana people of Kenya
as messengers of peace. The cranes were protected
because they were believed to get rid of livestock
pests and to guard waterholes and swamps.
The dramatic-looking Black Crowned Crane is found in the Sahel and Sudan savanna region of africa,
from Senegal and Gambia on the Atlantic coast to the uppor Nile River basin in Sudan and Ethiopia.
More than 99% of the Blue Crane population
occurs within South Africa, where it is the
national bird.
Both the Xhosa and Zulu tribes in Africa revere
the Blue Crane. Zulu royalty were the only ones
allowed to wear Blue Crane feathers, and Xhosa
warriors would never wear anything but Blue
Crane feathers into battle.
When first brought to France from the steppes of
Russia, the Demoiselle Crane was so named by
Queen Marie Antoinette, for its delicate and
maiden-like appearance.
Yet as delicate as it may look, this bird is capable
of remarkable aerial feats. When Demoiselle
Cranes travel from their breeding grounds in
central Asia to wintering grounds in India, they
must cross the Himalayan Mountains. The birds
are capable of flying at extreme altitudes because
their blood has high concentrations of red blood
cells that enhance its ability to carry oxygen.
