Reservations can be made by calling
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST, M - F, starting January 2nd, 2009.
To make reservations or if you have questions, please call 308-468-5282.
Dates:
Every morning and evening from Saturday, March 7
through Wednesday, April 8.
(Note: Please call for
availability during the Rivers & Wildlife Celebration, which will be
held March 20 - 22. If you are a tour group operator, and are
thinking of bringing a large group, please contact us for viewing
options)
Fees:
$25.00/person (price does
not include tax)
Payment must be made in
advance by check or credit card (Visa or Master Card only)
-
Cancellations are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the trip.
Field trip start times:
Morning: 6:30 a.m. (Note: March 7 start
times will be 5:30 a.m. & p.m.)
Evening: 6:30 p.m.
Please arrive 15
minutes prior to your field trip start time in order to check in with
your guide and to gather your gear.
Please do not be late!
Where to Meet:
All field trips start at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center (see map -
click on map to enlarge). The easiest way to get to the center
from Kearney is to take I-80 to exit 285 (Gibbon exit) and follow the
signs. From I-80, it is roughly 2 miles south to Elm Island Road
and then another 2 miles west to the center. You will receive further
instructions once you reach the visitor center parking area.
Drive time from south Kearney
to the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center is approximately 20-25 minutes.
March and April can be very cold and you will be
standing in an unheated blind for about 2 hours, so dress VERY warmly.
It is better to wear too much than not enough!
What to Wear:
What to Bring/Not to Bring:
- Binoculars and spotting scopes
- Camera equipment (NO FLASHES)
- Video cameras - these are BEST for
recording the whole experience, sights and sounds
- Warm drinks (there are clean chemical
toilets outside each blind)
- Food or snacks
- NO cell phones or flashlights
The Viewing Blinds
Our
viewing blinds are wooden structures with carpeted
floors, that hold from 26 to 32 people. They offer shelter from wind,
rain, and snow, but are not heated and will be as cold or colder than
the outside. Inside the blinds, rectangular holes of all heights can
be found, and are large enough for
spotting scopes and large lenses. Photographs
can be taken from the blind, however we recommend video
cameras for capturing the sights and sounds of cranes. (Note: flashes on
cameras are not allowed)
~ Photographers ~
Please be aware that our blinds offer excellent panoramic
views of large flocks of cranes, but may not provide good
opportunities for close-up photographs unless you have at
least a 400mm lens or larger. Furthermore, the cranes
come and go when the light is limited so we recommend
bringing a variety of film, including some at ASA higher than 400 (Bob's
Super Store in Kearney carries special
film). For a more intimate experience, Rowe Sanctuary has special photo blinds
set up near major crane roost sites on the river.
