On Thursday, January 25th, 2018 I headed out to the Eisenberg Crane Preserve, an ecological wonderland about twenty-four miles north of Lodi, California, and about forty-five miles south of Sacramento. This crane preserve is the winter home of sandhill cranes, who leave the meadows, fields, and lakes at dawn, flying to who knows where, then return at dusk.
The sandhill crane, or "Grus canadensis" lives an average of twenty years in the wild, weighs between 6.5 and 14 lbs, and has a wingspan of 5-6 feet. I was there with my Nikon D850 and my 200-500 mm lens, hoping to see and photograph their return in the cold sunny Thursday afternoon. When I arrived at the viewing area a sign posted that it was essential that all visitors have on their person a license granting them permission to be in the viewing area of the preserve. I had no such thing.
I called California Fish and Game. A friendly operator answered the phone, and I explained my situation. "I'm not looking for a lifetime pass or even a year pass," I pleaded. "I'm only going to be here for another couple of hours, and I don't want a docent or an official to kick me out," I wailed. She said, "I can do that. I can make a one-day pass for you that you can show." Relieved, I waited while she asked me...Name, address, cell phone number, land line number, birthday, height, weight, color of eyes, email address, alternate email address, name of spouse, spouse''s name, spouse's phone number, car make, model, license number, and other obviously relevant information so she can issue to someone who simply wants to take a few photographs of sandhill cranes a #$* permit. Meanwhile, as I'm talking to her the cranes are beginning to return. Useless camera in one hand. Useless phone in other.
I gave her a valid VISA number, paid the $4.32 to California Fish and Game, and in return she gave me a number that I could show a docent or guide that proved that I was a valid permittee at the Eisenberg Crane Preserve. I thanked her and resumed my position by the bench at the top of a little mound.
As the sun set to the right of Mount Diablo I caught several images of the cranes as they returned for the night, perhaps twenty or more in all, Fortunately they congregated close to where I stood, and with the help of a powerful lens I was able to capture some memorable images.
As dusk settled in and darkness fell, I put my camera away and climbed back into my car. My pass and permit number remained safely in my pants. I was the only one there.
Monday, January 29th. Today my one day pass for last Thursday arrived. I photographed it and posted it at the top of this blog entry. Thank you Fish and Game. Happy to help.