Travel around the world: Nebraska

We drove once throgh Nebraska some time ago and learned about the crane festival and since then we planned to come back during the crane festival but we never had time until this year. Luckily there is an evening plane that leaves after the working day is over and then arrives late at night in Omaha Nebraska from where we rent a car and then drive to a hotel close to the airport where we spend the night.


Phoenix parking lot	View from plane


Sunset on the runway	Phoenix in the last rays of the sun

In the morning we eat breakfast and check out of the nice hotel where we spent just a few hours and are on our way towards Kearney in the middle of the crane migration area. Of course us being us we don't use the direct route but take a deviation north through South Dakota before descending back towards Kearney.


Hotel in Omaha	Our room

We first start north towards Lewis and Clark State Park passing through Omaha and then through Iowa with quite a lot of of religious signs by the interstate (we are surprised because we thought that in Arizona there are many but here there are quite a lot more).


Passing through Omaha	Common signs on the highway

Our first stop is at the Lewis and Clark State Park where Lewis and Clark stopped during their epic journey westward and there is a plaque here commemorating their stay. The park is relatively small and situated on a quasi peninsula extending into the Blue Lake and therefore it has its share of water birds including Canada geese which are seemingly unaffected by the cold. It also has a large visitor center which is however closed for the winter. While there are still patches of snow and it is cold we decide to take a small hike on the only trail in the state park before returning to the car.


Lewis and Clark State Park	Cool stump


Canada geese entering the water	On the water in the cold


Closed visitor center	Start of trail through park

The trail goes through a small patch of forest which is quite spooky now in the winter with all leaves fallen off. The trail ends at a meadow where it joins the car loop which we use to return to the car. On the way back we see the first signs of spring including a robin and juncos who brave the cold happily it seems.


Spooky forest	Snow on the ground


Arriving at a meadow	Add caption


A robin - spring is here:)	And a junco

Our next stop is in South Dakota, the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve. To our surprise even though it is just one hour away from Omaha there is heavy snow on the ground here - it looks like it is deep winter and not early spring. While the visitor center is closed the feeder is full and there are quite a few birds both on the ground and on the feeder enjoying the seeds while braving the cold and the snow.


Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve - Visitor Center	Lots of snow here


Bird on the ground	Bird on a tree

There are a few roads/trails that are cleaned of snow a bit so we decide to wander around the premises of this farmhouse a bit. There is no one else around so it is a bit eerie especially as we find domestic animals and birds in their enclosures with seemingly no one around to feed them and take care of them. The donkeys especially are quite happy to see us and look to us for food which unfortunately we don't have.


Start of trail	Barn in the snow


Donkeys enduring the snow	Some hens, geese and turkeys are inside

There are many other buildings however most are not accesible due to the knee high snow - we take a run through the snow and almost get stuck - it is unreal that it is March and still so much snow is on the ground. Soon we decide to return and are treated to an aerial battle between Canadian geese and crows that seem intent on not letting the geese land in the area and finally the geese give up and move on...and so do we as it is getting late.


Crows harrying some geese	The geese running away


Another former farmhouse	Fountain in the park

We arrive late in the afternoon in Kearney and check in in our nice suite and then after a fast food dinner try to go to sleep much earlier than usual because we have to wake up at 3 AM in the morning for our prairie chicken viewing the next day which is at about 2 hour distance from Kearney and starts at 6 AM.


Hotel room	With a nice sitting area

Day 2

We wake up really early in the morning at 3 AM which is even worse for us given the time zone difference with Arizona. The 2 hour drive to Calamus Outfitters feels otherworldly with us the only car driving on narrow country roads through fog - it felt like we are in a horror/alien movie but luckily no monsters or aliens materialize and we arrive at the meeting point at about the pre arranged time. We are surprised at how many people are here this early to see the prairie chicken - we half expected to be the only ones. After drinking some hot tea to take the cold out of our bones we wait for the bus that will take us to the viewing area.

The bus is quite cold and is I guess a warning sign for the observation spot which we find out are three buses with the windows taken out so you can take good photographs and which are placed on top of a hill overlooking the meadow where the prairie chicken congregate. And of course we have to sit on metal chairs while the wind is blowing through the bus and even without the wind the temperaturs are subzero (Celsius). We doubt that any prairie chicken is willing to brave the cold however as the first light from the sun appears over the meadow we see the chicken congregate and starting to display on the meadow.


Prarie Chicken at Calamus Outfitters preparing for dance	Starting to move


In display looking for mate	In middle of dance


Found a possible partner	Getting close

As the morning progresses the light gets better and the male chicken start to display to each other and even mock fight and intimidate. Our guide says that there are no female chicken around so all this displaying and fighting is just a preamble for the real thing later in the week.


Nice display colors	Running towards the display area


Late entrant in competition	Looking at each other


Who looks better?	Maybe intimidation works?

After about two hours of watching the tour comes to an end and it is time for us to exit the observation buses and take the bus back to the main building. It is the first time that we can look around in the sunlight however we are quite stiff from the cold and hurry into the more heated bus as soon as we can.


End of observation period	Those are metal chairs in the morning cold...brrrrr


Display buses	Our "tour" bus

At the main building we eat a hot breakfast which is included in the tour and is quite welcome after our 2 hours in the cold. After this we have a 2 hour drive back to the hotel where we fall asleep for a few hours before we leave in the afternoon to see the cranes in the Kearney area.


Calamus outfitters - the place to go to see prairie chicken	Main building

We start our search for the cranes using a brochure we downloaded from the internet and we find them in the first fields that we look at. They are in fact everywhere flying above us but it is difficult to determine where they land so we stop and try to take pictures of these ones because we are not sure if we can get close to other ones in the future.


Cranes on the field	Relaxed cranes


Wandering on the fallow fields	Close up of the cranes

Continuing we stop at a designated area for crane watching where we look at them passing overhead before noticing on a nearby field the cows that are observing us observing the cranes. As we approach them to take pictures an entire swarm of blackbirds takes off scaring us a bit at first as we didn't notice them before.


Cranes coming in for the evening	Close up of cranes


There is snow even here on the ground	There are cows near the cranes


Birds are rising from between the cows	Blackbirds?

We then cross again back to the parking lot to look at the fields on that side which are full of cranes in the distance. As we examine them we notice something different between them and as we look with the binoculars we see it is a pheasant - cool.


Karate crane kick	Pheasant among the cranes

As we continue driving we notice a jeep stopped at the side of the road so we stop too to see what he is examining and it is a flock of turkeys that is crossing the roads and then continues into the fields without any worry.


Why is that jeep stopped?	Turkeys going into hiding


Not the best hiding spot	Turkeys walking in a row

Our last stop on the tour is at CPNRD Plautz Viewing Site which has an observation deck and a short trail that we take. There are no cranes here only a few migrants including of course robins but the view of the Platte River is quite impressive - we didn't know it was that large but islands in the middle.


Observation deck on the Platte River	Car bridge over the river


Platte River - quite large	There are even some relatively large islands

In the evening we go to a fine dining restaurant in Kearney to celebrate the survival of our early wake up call, drive and cold tour :). The food is good and filled we go to sleep to recuperate a few more zzzzzzzs.


Dinner - Osso bucco	Tastes better than it looks:)

Day 3

Today we are driving back at least partway towards the airport and plan on overnighting in Lincoln while visiting as many crane and migrant related attractions on the way as we can. The first stop is at the Crane Trust Visitor Center which also has a few trails that we want to walk. The Visitor Center is quite large with some good exhibits and a big shop selling crane related souvenirs. We look around for some time before finding the exit to the trails which is in the back of the building and then it is time for a hike.


Visiting the crane trust visitor center	Large building (with crane sounds)


Exhibit inside the Crane Trust Visitor Center	Many birds possible - how many will we see?

Right outside the door we stop to admire the birds that are mobbing the feeder - the finches seem to win the battle with the blackbirds seemingly satisfied to eat just from the ground.


Blackbird below the feeder	And a finch at the feeder

The trail passes near a working farm full of cattle while on the other side to our surprise is an enclosure with a few American bisons. As we learn they actually have a "free roaming" herd on a nearby property however a few are always housed in the enclosure for visitors to see.


Farm near the trail	With lots of cows


American bison herd	Close up of bison

The trail then passes over two lengthy footbridges over the Platte River which leads to some great views over the river but no cranes unfortunately today. At most we see a sandpiper looking for food but no other birds and soon the trail ends on the other side and we have to return back to the car.


Bridge over the Platte River	View from bridge


Sandpiper looking for food	Another smaller bridge

We stop close by at an overlook of the river from which a dirt road goes parallel to it and we drive along looking for cranes. While we find no cranes we find a wood duck which is a much rarer sighting for us so we are happy about the detour before returning back to the main street.


View of Platte River from another stop	There are some cranes far in the distance


Preparing for a landing	Showing off


Group of ducks	Swimming in a row

We continue through the countryside exploring the many country roads that are flanked by fallow fields and are supposedly good territory for the cranes however most we see are far in distance are very few close to the road. The best places actually is on an active farm where the cranes decided to mix with the horses - go figure.


Parking in a road triangle	More for horses than cranes


Horse in foreground/cranes in background	Close up of the cranes


Dirt road for crane watching..	...not that good today

We continue following our brochure but instead of staying in the same area we decide to go a bit farther away and also close to Lincoln in the Harward WPA. We are lucky we have downloaded the info how to get there as there is no sign from the main road and only quite near the wildlife area we find a sign directing us to the parking lot. The parking lot looks like no one has been there for days which means it is a good place for lunch befor starting our walk in the area. We are excited about this because even though there are no visible cranes we can see at least some ducks in the distance and while shy we can take photos of at least a few of them.


Harward WPA from parking lot	There are multiple lakes in this small preserve


Birds in the distance	Close up of birds


Bored birds	Preparing to fly

As we walk we notice big flocks of birds flying out of the reeds so we zoom in with our camera to see what they are and finally we catch a few at rest and see there are blackbirds - a lot of them flying in unison which is quite fun to see.


Big flock of birds	Of blackbirds to be exact

The turnaround point of the hike which is between two marshy areas is at a larger open water area where we see a lot of birds. Unfortunately they also see us and even though they are far away they start flying away which makes for some nice pictures but unfortunately doesn't really help us with identifying them.


There are lots of birds on some of the lakes	Close up of some of the birds


Another bird gathering	Starting to leave


All of them at once	Close up in flight

Next and last stop is Massie Lagoon WPA close by. Again we are lucky to have directions as there are no signs from the main road however it is well posted after you enter the dirt roads - quite weird. It has a good (and empty) parking lot from where a short trail leads to a well maintained observation tower which overlooks a large area of marshland. At first we don't see any birds but soon we see the ubiquitous blackbirds flocks flying around from one patch of reeds to another.


Observation tower at Massie Lagoon WPA	View back from tower


View of marshland	Blackbirds are everywhere

After a bit we see other birds around in the marshland however there aren't as many as at the previous location and they seem even shyer so we can barely catch glimpses of them as they dart from one hiding place to another. However as the sun starts dropping towards the horizon we have to leave as we still have a drive to our B&B for the night who also might be closing relatively early.


Taking flight	Looking for food


Very active small bird	Only duck that came close to the tower

We arrive at the B&B just as the sun sets amd it takes a bit to find someone to take us to our room. The B&B is an historic poor farm where poor people were brought to work and basically getting free food and board for the work. It was supposed to be self sufficient but that never happened and in the 30s it was decomissioned and then sold at auction and finally refurbished as a B&B. It is full of small details as we walk through the common rooms including books, DVDs to rent for free and local artwork.


Sunset near our lodging	Historic poor farm and home with lots of photos


Inside the bed and breakfast	Common room

The room is also beautifully appointed with little whimsical touches including a big lamb on the bed a non functioning stove in the corner and a flying lion on the ceiling. In fact it might be a bit overdecorated as we almost have no place to put our luggage and move around in the room. We explore all the items and read all the information about the B&B before eating a dinner from our provisions and going to sleep while watching TV.


Beautiful bed	Not working but still a nice detail


Jacuzzi like bath	Nice detail on the ceiling

Day 4

In the morning we wake up to our breakfast that is served in front of our room in a small area and it is really handmade and very good. We also walk a bit around the house to look at it also in the daylight before getting in the car ready for our last day in Nebraska.


Breakfast served in front of our room	Hand made breakfast - quite good


Front of poor house	One of the many buildings on the property

Our first stop is close by at the historic cemetery on the poor house property where the dead where buried. Unfortunately all that is left is a marker as we can't find any tombstones in the nearby field.


There was a historic cemetery here	But there are no remnants here

Our next stop is at Pioneers Park in Lincoln where we want to walk a bit the heavy breakfast we had in the morning. The trail is quite interesting passing through the meadows and some historical buildings saved from Lincoln and surrounding cities as they were under threat of being razed.


Pioneers Park historic church	Trail through the meadow


Old cabin on the way	No one else on the trail

The trail also passes near a lake where a Canadian Geese enjoys the water quite funnily playing with the water for some time before moving on.


Lake near trail	Canadian geese on the trail


Happy to enter the water	On the water

The park to our surprise also has a few American bisons that we can see in the distance before returning to the car and start our drive to the airport.


American bison..	..with a nearby goose

We still have one more stop planned before the airport at the Strategic Air Command Museum close by where we plan to spend the extra hour that we still have before we have to be at the airport. The museum is much larger than we expected and flanked with rockets on the outside which is quite cool. Inside the lobby we are greeted by a Blackbird which we have seen once before in Kalamazoo but still it is exciting to see this interesting plane right at the entrance.


Approaching the Strategic Air Command Museum	Modern entrance


Blackbird in the lobby	T-29A "Flying Classroom"

The museum is quite huge with a couple of hangars chock full of planes and even some helicopters. It is clear that it will take us a lot more than the hour we have to see everything so we try to prioritize what looks more interesting as we walk through the halls.


Hangar full of planes	On the ground floor


F101B "Voodoo"	F86H "Sabre"

Besides the outside you can also look inside some of the planes and even below which can be quite fun especially if you look up into bomb bays and see that there are still bombs in there hopefully deactivated:).


You can look inside some planes	Hopefully not real


You can enter some planes	Going below to see the bomb bay

We spend the rest of the time wandering between the planes and admiring their varied forms and utilities. There is even a Mig plane which is a surprise - it has North Vietnamese markings which is interesting but the surprise is to see it here between all the American planes. Much too soon we have to leave as we still have to return our rental car before the flight and then we have the return trip back to Phoenix ahead of us which is uneventful so we have time to think about all the interesting things we have seen during this trip (cranes and prairie chicken being the highlights).