Once in a while, something will happen that changes your life, your values, and your perception of the life you are living. The struggles to survive are real, and people in general tend to step up and give a hand, a dollar, or time to help folks in a disaster or bad situation. Normal people are generally kind and enjoy helping or sharing bad times with victims. I think the tendency of normal people to help is worldwide, and makes us better folks. I recognize the other side and have no explanation for the horrific evil things that war, greed, and vengeance create in some people.
The Whooping Cranes and their struggles to survive have brought out the best features of people, cities, states, and nations. The amount of money and effort dedicated to that bird’s survival can’t be estimated. The awesome amount of brain power dedicated to saving these birds by every class of people is mind boggling.
National Geographic photographers are generally recognized as the cream of the crop in wildlife and nature. We are gifted in Kansas with Jim Richardson who lives in Lindsborg. His burning of the prairie will be forever recognized in the upper echelon of photographic production. This past Saturday, he hosted another photographer with National Geographic credentials. Michael Forsberg is a very special photographer. He presented his latest effort with a video production and book signing. He has too many credentials to list – even has a stamp with one of his images. His latest book, “Into Whooperland,” is stunning. He spent five years documenting the travel, breeding, and success of these birds from the Texas coast to Wood Buffalo Reserve in the Northwest Territories. He spent days and nights in a little 4-foot blind documenting the mating, breeding, and hatching of these birds.
In their travels, these birds have to rest and feed here twice a year – coming and going, spring and fall. I was interested in his assessment of Quivira Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms. Their path to and from requires these two marshes. Without these two amazing wetlands, the cranes’ recovery would be severely threatened. The efforts of Michael should be recognized and admired.
There are so few national treasures like these wetlands – and Kansas is blessed with two of them. People come from around the world to stay at motels in our towns and cities while watching these birds.
Read Michael’s books and look at his pictures. His love of the land and environment has changed policy and saved a lot of natural land. I don’t know what his next project will be, but he will dazzle us again and his skills are always a challenge and example of pure excellence. Dan Soeken, Steve Traudt, David Seibel and I will always be grateful. You will have to ask us if you want to know those stories!
Doc
Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.
