A friend from Florida passed along a note this morning that this year's flock of 17 Wisconsin Whooping Cranes will be departing on October 10 guided by an ultralight aircraft. The effort by Operation Migration has been working to establish a second migratory flock of these endangered birds (in 1941 there were only 21 wild birds remaining, today there are just under 400). The "colt" (young crane) in this photo is from the main group that migrates from Canada to Texas and the purpose of establishing a second flock is to help prevent some odd event (weather, disease, etc.) from wiping out the species. We wish them luck on their endeavor this year and will be following along!