Joel Dinda's photos with the keyword: Battle Creek

Part of Michigan Audubon's Baker Sanctuary, from the Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area. Sandhill Cranes live here; in the autumn there are thousands of 'em. Taken during CraneFest about a decade ago.

Pitching for the Kane County Cougars against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays in Battle Creek's CO Brown Stadium on 8/1/2006. Second baseman Steve Kleen in the background.

Pitching for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays against the Swing of the Quad Cities, 6/13/2006. I miss baseball. And I miss the great seat I used to have in Battle Creek's ballpark.

There often are. We've occasionally seen 'em fly, but generally they just sit in the trees while we watch the cranes.. Big Marsh Lake, near Bellevue, Michigan.

Big Marsh Lake, near Bellevue, Michigan.

This is what we came to see. As evening falls we watch cranes flying in from all directions. After a few circles around Big Marsh Lake, each flight lands. And another flight joins the fun, circling the lake in its turn.

The viewing area at Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area, looking towards Big Marsh Lake. The Sandhills gather at Big Marsh every evening in the fall, gathering before migrating south. Audubon does a headcount at the lake every November; in 2014 that count was about 9,400 birds . The late October and early November weekend viewings are jointly sponsored by Battle Creek Kiwanis and Michigan Audubon. The viewings are related to, but not a part of, Michigan Audubon's CraneFest, which occurs at the same location in mid-October.

Some of 'em flew right over our heads.

Near Bellevue, Michigan.

Well, kinda; this dam's got sort of a drain. Big Marsh Lake, near Bellevue; another photo from the Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area.

Kiwanis Youth Conservation Area, near Bellevue, Michigan.

10/9/2010, during Cranefest at Big Marsh Lake.

10/30/2010 (again).

10/30/2010.

One last photo taken at Baker Sanctuary, at least for now. Photo taken 9/20/2014.

Baker Sanctuary; photo taken 11/11/2015.

During CraneFest from the Kiwanis Youth Area; the Big Marsh is the heart of the Bernard Baker Sanctuary. Photo taken 10/11/2015.