On November 25th 2012 this picture of a crane shadow on an ultralight airplane wing appeared in a moving Operation Migration Field Journal entry entitled “THE SENSATIONAL SIX BECOMES FABULOUS FIVE” by Liz Condie.
The shadow on the wing to many “Craniacs” represented the spirit of whooping crane number 10-12 (aka “Ruthie Louise”) who had been the “diva” of her small flock before she died with a broken leg, weeks earlier during the migration.
Many recall seeing the photo, but few know the story behind that particular image.
On November 23, 2012, the day after Thanksgiving, I attended the flyover in the riverside town of St. Marks on the Gulf Coast of north Florida. A crowd of about 1000 came to watch the Class of 2012 whooping cranes follow their ultralight aircraft leaders over the town, on their way to wintering grounds on the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. I was taking photographs, and my wife volunteered at the Operation Migration (OM) information and merchandise table. Many said they felt the spirit of deceased whooper 10-12 was with the 5 birds and pilots as they soared over the crowd.
Later that day as we drove home after the flyover she told me one elderly lady insisted she had seen 6 birds in formation around the trike. My wife explained to her that there were only 5 birds and the 6th had died during the migration. The lady was quite adamant that she had seen six birds, and a number of others vigorously agreed. It was a bit spooky and we had no explanation.
Once home, I downloaded the images from my camera and processed them to share on my photo website and came across several images where a bird shadow from one of the birds was clearly visible on the aircraft wing.
This was the best scientific explanation for the “6th bird” some people saw. My wife suggested I send it to Liz Condie at OM since she might find it interesting.
After cropping the image, I sent it immediately to Liz, and she wrote a beautiful and sensitive blog entry that you can read at:
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2012/11/25/the-sensational-six-becomes-fabulous-five/ (this link no longer works)
The Field Journal entry received many comments, both on the blog and on the Crane Cam chat. Many felt uplifted by the idea of 10-12’s spirit in formation, watching over her flockmates and pilots near their destination. A few individuals cast the image as a fake, but that idea was quickly discarded as other photographers discovered they too had similar photographs.
There is an interesting follow-up to this story.
A very kind and dedicated volunteer at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, named Joseph Bonislawsky, truly loved the people and the whooping cranes of St. Marks NWR. In 2008 “Volunteer Joe” had helped construct the cranes’ three-acre winter pen and joked that it made him dream of cable-ties.
Joe continued to support the reintroduction project with his photography, dollars, and sweat equity on pen maintenance crews, despite declining health in his last year. His fellow volunteers and project friends always made sure Joe could participate. So it was, that they helped him to the blind on November 23, 2012, where he filmed as the 5 whooping cranes of the Class of 2012 spiraled down to their winter pen. At lunch after the event, he proudly showed us a large whooping crane tattoo on his back; he said he wished he could fly with the cranes.
“Joe B” passed away unexpectedly just as the Class of 2012 whooping cranes began their long journey north in March, 2013.
At Joe Bonislawsky’s funeral, his St. Marks family of NWR staff, fellow volunteers, photo club members and friends joined with his family in remembering his special grace and his passion for family, friends and… the whooping cranes. OM pilot Brooke Pennypacker confirmed that the birds of 2012 had started migration back to Wisconsin. We all agreed it was comforting to think the spirit of “Volunteer Joe” flew with them.
I think so as well.
Jim
Related Links
Read Brooke Pennypacker’s memories of Joe B.: (link no longer works)
http://operationmigration.org/InTheField/2013/03/28/remembering-joe-bonislawski/