We Went To See Cranes But Got Devoured By Mosquitoes

Sandhill Cranes at Whitewater Draw

Look at that wingspread

I knew the sandhill cranes were back, so last Saturday we planned an afternoon trip over to Whitewater Draw. It’s only about any hour’s drive, so it was easy to plan it so that we would arrive about 45 minutes before sunset.

This was not my first time at Whitewater Draw.

We also went back in January of 2024. That was before I had the big Sigma lens, so I didn’t get the close-up pictures I’d hoped for, but man the sunset was nice that evening.

Sandhill Crane silhouette sunset at Whitewater Draw Arizona

My expectations about Whitewater Draw were based on that January visit.

But on Nov 8th of this year, we still hadn’t had our first freeze.

So while we did see plenty of cranes, and even a big flock of yellow headed blackbirds

The swarms of mosquitoes dwarfed them all.

Every little brown speck you see in this image were mosquitoes

… and holy hell, those mosquitoes were hungry.

But we were here to see the cranes … and I did capture a few images that weren’t bad.

The cranes will be there until about March, so I’m pretty sure we’ll go back again.

Probably in the morning next time, to catch them all leaving at sunrise to go feed in the area fields.

I can tell you one thing for sure though, it won’t be until after the overnight temperatures have gotten a lot colder and the damn mosquitos are gone. 😎

~ Todd

Do you have anything like flocks of cranes in your area?

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🦢 Quick Info: Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area

• Official Name: Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area

• Location: Sulphur Springs Valley (near McNeal), Cochise County, Arizona.

• Primary Habitat: Managed seasonal wetlands, open water ponds, and surrounding Chihuahuan Desert grasslands.

• Key Wildlife:

  • Wintering Birds: The premier spot for Sandhill Cranes (Oct-Mar), with tens of thousands present.

  • Waterfowl: Snow Geese, Northern Pintails, and various duck species.

  • Raptors & Waders: Northern Harriers, hawks, egrets, and ibises.

• Key Features:

  • Managed by the Arizona Game & Fish Department.

  • A “Globally Important Bird Area.”

  • Features viewing platforms, dikes for walking, and informational kiosks.

  • Water is seasonally pumped to create safe, shallow roosting areas for cranes.

• Best Time to Visit:

  • Sandhill Cranes: Late October through early March.

  • Best Viewing: Sunrise (when the cranes “fly-out” to feed) and just before sunset (when they “fly-in” to roost).

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