Duo from Kansas City, Kan., achieve bucket list goal
The annual sandhill crane spring migration is setting to wrap up in the coming days and with the birds flocking over the shallow Platte River comes a migration of people just as numerous.
Two of those who came up from Kansas City, Kan., were friends Chris Buck and Brooke Morrison, who were there to fulfill Buck’s goal of capturing the birds in photography. Buck, who has life-long muscular dystrophy, fulfilled an item on his bucket list.
“(We planned this) for two years. This is his first time to really travel,” Morrison said. “It was good, as we were able to find some (cranes) in the fields today and already took some pictures. We’re very excited.”
The duo know each other as former neighbors and co-workers as well as Buck’s great love for the outdoors. He teaches fishing to Morrison’s three children and has a passion for bird photography from publications like National Geographic.
“So he doesn’t have much muscle, but mentally he is all there. Keeps me on my toes,” Morrison stated. “He is teaching my kids to fish. He loves catfish. He’s teaching me photography. His parents are photographers, too, so he’s learned a lot.”
The two bought some merchandise before the trip including books, socks, t-shirts and stuffed animals.
“We got a really nice book and socks,” Morrison explained. “I have three children, so I had to get each of them a stuffed animal and then a t-shirt.”
They retreated to their vehicle and later came back with a high definition lens to take pictures and put Buck’s photography skills to use.
At 5 p.m. there was a presentation on the rules and situation for the sandhill cranes, which are listed as an endangered species. The presentation emphasized that areas for safe landing, like the Platte River, are few and far between as trees that can hide predators are no longer washed away by Nebraskan floods.
Buck’s motorized wheelchair took a spot just behind the leading golf cart to the blind as three large groups departed.
The weather on March 25 was cloudy towards the late afternoon with a steady rain that first misted, and then downpoured, during the watch for the birds landing. The cranes were numerous, though landed some distance away, as the light dwlinded in the dark clouds.
“It was freezing,” Morrison interpreted for Buck, who cannot speak loudly due to his condition. “The setup was amazing. It was everything I imagined and more. The numbers stood out the most to me.”
Buck also conveyed that the educational aspect of the event left an impact on him.
“(He is interested in) definitely anything that he can learn about animals and to help animals.” Morrison said.
Both stated that the event was great for those who have physical disabilities.
“Everything was ADA friendly, very accessible, and the volunteers were very helpful,” Morrison said.
Though the weather was not ideal on their chosen day, Morrison and Buck stated that they would like to try again some day even with the other items on his bucket list.
“I’m happy,” Morrison translated for Buck. “Seeing them land at the end makes us want to do it again when we can try to get closer shots.”