heading towards Kearney, Nebraska

an hour later, 4p, we were still at the Grand Island park being overwhelmed by the numbers of birds

 in addition to the Snow Geese, if you look closely, you will find some Ross's Geese as well
(rounder head, smaller, shorter bill)

about 5p, between Grand Island and Kearney, we came upon a nearby flock of Sandhill Cranes for our first close-up photo op

of course they didn't want to pose too long
but we weren't worried; we had already seen hundreds in the sky


cranes and more to follow