White water draw

This year to celebrate MLK day and having the day off from school, we went out to White Water Draw to see the Sand Hill Cranes that migrate here for the winter. We invited another family to go with us. The kids had so much fun. They thought this pile of dirt was the best thing ever!

The girls were so happy to have other kids to run around with. The weather was a little cloudy and cool when we first got there but by the afternoon it was sunny and breezy. Turned out to be a great day.

We took two pairs of binoculars and our video camera. Sydney had a great time looking at all the birds.

The wildlife preserve has set up decks and viewing platforms. These made it possible for everyone in our group to view the birds. It was an amazing site. Last year we went in February. We're planning on going again next month. There were cranes there, just not as many as there will be later on in the season. The cranes also chose the furthest field from us to land in, when there's more birds they have no choice but to move in closer.

I even got in on the action and took my turn to look at the birds.

The kids used the sightseeing equipment correctly for the most part. Towards the end I think they got a little bored, then they started looking for tadpoles in the water!

Clay got lots of amazing video. He stood on the other side of the shore to get video of all of us on the deck.

This picture just cracks me up! Is he looking for ants on the deck or what? The kids were so much fun to watch, almost as fun as the cranes!

I thought this was a neat picture. All three girls using binoculars while the boys use the viewing scopes!

I'm pretty sure this is NOT how you use this scope but they had fun.

We had a great time with our friends the Nelson's and their fun kids. I think a camping trip is in the works next. Can't wait!!

Daddy loves his girls. What better way to show your kids you love them then taking them out and exploring nature together. What a fun day.

At the end of the day, after the kids were worn out and tired, we made them sit for a picture. We all got a little sunburned, it could be wind burn too. It was so much fun. I think we may make this an annual trip. When we go back in February maybe the cranes will be closer where I can get a decent picture and post it. If you've never been to see the Sand Hill Cranes and you live in Arizona, you should make the drive. Best time to go is about 10:45AM. At about 11:00 on the dot the birds start flying in and landing from their morning feeding. It's amazing. The sky fills up with thousands of birds, the noise is almost deafening, and their landing formations are amazing. It's an awesome sight to see and it's right here in our back yard!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!