The quality of Cranes
Betsy Didrickson

A little book of crane lore.

Facts, Folklore & Fanciful tale.

Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in art, with the pretty. It expands through successive stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by language. The quality of cranes lies, I think, in this higher gamut, as yet beyond the reach of words. – Aldo Leopold (1886-1948) A Sand County Almanac

Whether it is knowledge gained through tradition, anecdote, or scientific means, this compilation expresses the quality of cranes.

Charismatic Cranes!
Throughout the centuries, cranes have been revered by many of the cultures on each of the five continents where they live. It Is no wonder then that today the crane is considered a flagship species by wildlife biologists. The crane is a supermodel in the bird world captivating humans with its long graceful neck and legs, rhythmic dancing, romantic synchronized unison calling, and perhaps most of all, its impressive stature. Cranes can be up to six feet tall, with a wingspan of over eight feet! The admiration that people throughout time have felt for cranes may, in the end, help save this endangered family of birds.