Colorado Explorer ACTIVITIES
Migrating in Monte Vista By Debi Boucher
Sand hill cranes in formation. S
omewhere in the San Luis Valley, on a rocky outcropping closed to the public, is a 6-foot petroglyph known as “Big Bird,” carved about 3,000 years ago. The image portrays the distinctive beak, neck and wings of the sand hill crane—the bird that makes its famous annual migration from New Mexico to Idaho, with a stop in the Colorado farming community of Monte Vista to rest, fatten up, and mate.
Ken Frye, a 30-year Forest Service Ranger who was born and raised just up the road from Monte Vista in Del Norte, allowed me to observe and photograph “Big Bird.” Markings on the petroglyph suggest this is the work of a Hopi artist. Fossil evidence confi rms that sand hill cranes have migrated through the region for thousands of years, in view of ancient Hopi and modern visitors alike. March 9-11, 2012, will mark the 29th annual Monte
Vista Crane Festival (
www.cranefest.com), which features artisans in all mediums who come to display and sell their work.
46 EnCompass March/April 2012 The Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge is about six miles
outside of town. Sunrise and sunset bus tours convey visitors to the refuge. Each group is lead by a knowl- edgeable guide (donation requested). There is also an auto tour and walking path through the wetlands where you can enjoy a variety of other waterfowl. Eagles are not uncommon in the area this time of year.
Debi Boucher, (
www.dboucher-photography.com),
is a freelance writer and nature photographer based in Colorado Springs.
www.AAA.com
© Debi Boucher
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