Journey North Crane

Sending news this year from the home office, Heather Ray was with Operation Migration (O.M.) when the first ultralight-led Whooping crane migration took off in 2001. She performs many jobs with the organization, both in the office and on the road. Many of the photos you see on Journey North are taken by Heather.

In 2008 and 2009 Heather joined the ground crew and wore the white costume on the migration. She released the cranes from their pen to fly with the planes. She was Swamp Monster. She drove a big vehicle. She helped set up and take down the travel pen and the satellite phone. And she visited classrooms to teach them about the migration. In this photo she helped a student put on the costume.

Like many of the O.M. team, Heather is Canadian. She has raised three children, some Jack Russell terriers, and many monarch bultterflies! In her spare time she likes to garden, make stained glass, cook, and do her own home remodeling or repair jobs!