I admit that I am at a loss for words about our birding adventures. Not because I didn’t have fun, or immensely enjoy the company for my friends and fellow birders. Nor is it because we didn’t have many a sorted tells to tell, which as always were many, and included missed flights, almost missed flights, lost luggage, NOT getting the car stuck in mud, 40 mph winds, bacon glorious bacon and the like. I think I’m at a loss for words because I don’t know how to describe what I experienced. I have never been very articulate and sometime struggle with understanding my thoughts, and emotions, not to mention my lack of writing and creative skills. So Please read this awesome post which says everything I want to say and says it much better than I can.
But here are a few of my own thoughts to add. When I thought about what birding adventure could bring the girls to Omaha I didn’t think Nebraska had that much to offer. Not in the traditional sense anyway. Traditional 
birding trip sense that is. Usually trips evolve around seeing new species. (most birders obsessed compulsively about new species) We try very hard not to be the typically listing birder, but we are what we are and new species are usually the main goal. But Nebraska did have one unique thing to offer and that was Sandhill Cranes. Sandhill Cranes are not a new species, and they are actually quiet common. However hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes gather along the Platte river in central Nebraska during spring migration. Hundreds of thousands of 3 foot tall birds, whose single call can be heard for miles, typically roost in the same 5 miles stretch of river. Five miles seems big, but as we explored the area some we realized how small that really is. It is quiet the spectacle to behold, and nothing can quiet describe it. My favorite part is the sound.
It was different to play host as well as birder. I believe it’s the first time, to stay at a fellow bushtits home. But it was enjoyable to have visitors. As planner you always fret over the details. You fret about the weather, and if the birds will show, and that it wasn’t ‘peak’ time (which was okay since at ‘peak’ the tourist can outnumber the birds and we prefer to be by ourselves), and where to find the birds, and should we call the outfitter to see the prairie chicken leks. Of course nothing cooperated as you would have liked and of course no one cared.
My favorite part of the trip was their excitement over one of my favorite places Fontenelle Forest. I wish we would have had time to take them to Hitchcock Nature Center. I know they would have loved it. It’s no Rocky Mountains out here but I have found a lot of beauty in 
the Midwest and it was fun to share it with them. Even though it was still winter and the leaves weren’t on the trees, the bird life was slow, and a million other details they could still see the beauty there. “All places contain innate beauty but not all can see it.” I love that they can.
