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Morning Open Thread - Out of Town [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2024-01-04  

Editor’s Note: Morning Open Thread is looking for community members willing to take on hosting duties—whether it’s a day here and there or a regular weekly post: Saturdays and Tuesdays are open. If you’re interested, just reach out to PCarey or Officebss . And thank you.

Morning Open Thread is a daily, copyrighted post from a host of editors and guest writers. We support our community, invite and share ideas, and encourage thoughtful, respectful dialogue in an open forum.

Today, I am (hopefully) in a field research station on the Gulf of Mexico observing, photographing and recording Sandhill Crane behavior. I have been wanting to study those big birds for some time and have taken this first week of 2024 to fulfill that goal.

For those not familiar with these huge (4 to 4.5 feet tall) animals, here is what the head of our critically endangered sub-species looks like. I had the chance to see Cranes for the first time this year. A flock of wild (different sub-species) Cranes flew over head while I was out exploring other wild areas. It was a captivating moment.

Grus canadensis pulla — Mississippi Sandhill Crane

Here is a photo of a mated pair of adults (from the official Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge web site).

I may be mistaken for a clueless and lost worker when I show up down there. I carry enough gear that I look like a litter bearer from an African Safari during the 1820’s. I hope they take pity on me and are charmed by my wallflower demeanor. Okay, that last remark was a stretch of the imagination.

Unlike the story in Anne Murray’s song, Mississippi Sandhill Cranes are monogamous and non-migratory. There are on the “critically endangered” list of North American animals and I’d like to meet them before that chance is lost forever. Also, their calls sound more like the rattle of a choking chicken that the sweet voice below. I’d rather present Ms. Murray’s song instead.

2:15 length

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I apologize that I won’t be available to comment or reply (unless it is much later in the evening). I am confident that you all will be fine without me butting into every conversation for one day. I hope these next songs inspire you making this first Thursday of 2024 a standard of how important each moment is and how much you can impact the world.

1:22 length

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1:37 length

4:12 length

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