Sandhill Crane Pair Descending in front of Cleveland Peak (52728483541)

Sandhill cranes mate for life. This pair descends to a wetland to roost for the night in front of Cleveland Peak, one of the alpine summits of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
While a few hundred cranes spend their spring and fall in remote wetlands within park boundaries, this area currently managed by The Nature Conservancy and not open to the public. However, thousands of cranes visit other wetlands and fields in the San Luis Valley, and many visitors to Great Sand Dunes enjoy viewing cranes on their way to or from the national park. Learn more about potential crane viewing locations in the San Luis Valley:
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/sandhill-crane-migration.htm" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/sandhill-crane-migration.htm</a>

NPS/Patrick Myers