Whooping Crane
 

Toooooo Winnn-dy! (+ 0 Miles )
 November 19, 2008: Migration Day 34

Chris was lead pilot on yesterday's flight, but today the wind keeps them from flying. Read below to hear more from Chris.
Photo Jamie Johannsen

Yesterday after arriving in LaSalle County, pilot Chris predicted: "With strong south winds as an area of low pressure passes by to the north, the weather looks doubtful for a flight tomorrow. It looks more promising for Thursday (Nov. 13) through Saturday (Nov 15), as we will be back in northwest winds with high pressure building in from the west." He was right. The planes and cranes are grounded by winds today.

In the Classroom

  • Today's Journal Questions:
    (a) Yesterday's lead pilot Chris reported: "As we got further into the flight, we talked briefly about skipping our LaSalle county stop and flying to(Livingston County. With a ground speed of about 50 mph, our total flight time would be getting close to 3 hours if we skipped LaSalle. We quickly gave up that idea when Brooke informed us that he had a bird that was continually dropping off his wing to fly below the trike." Why do you think the bird was dropping? Why do pilots need to pay attention to this?
  • (b-for-bonus) "Brooke had only made it to 600 feet and eventually dropped down to 100 feet in the turbulent air as he tried to keep the bird on his wing. He did a remarkable job, and the crane was able to make it to the pen on its own power," wrote Chris. Write a statement to answer: How does Brooke's altitude compare with the height of the Statue of Liberty? See >>

Journey North is pleased to feature this educational adventure presented in cooperation with the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP).

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