Sandhill Cranes in Galveston

From a good distance, the Sandhill Crane seems a close cousin to the Whooping Cranes. But, they are smaller with different color patterns and range of breeding grounds. They leave their summer breeding grounds in Canada and arrive on the Upper Texas Coast in October, with the greatest numbers occurring in December to February. In Galveston, they can be reliably observed near Scholes International Airport and along 8 Mile Road. Thanks to bird guide Glenn Olsen for all the viewing tips to this very showy example of the diversity of bird life so close to home.