42 Nebraskaland • July 2025
and Canus — three whooping cranes
who have profoundly impacted
the world's current population
of whooping cranes. Their story
reminds readers of the human
affects on these extraordinary birds
and how science, love and common
sense problem-solving have helped
maintain this species.
Lastly, Forsberg shares a tip for
the aspiring photographer: "I've
found that the key to using blinds
with cranes is to be in them before
the birds arrive and to climb out of
them only after they have left the
area. It's also necessary to live by
the mantra of being comfortable
with being uncomfortable. Blind
work is a solitary experience. You
must cope with being alone with
your own thoughts, and often in
physically awkward positions.
Other challenges: weather
extremes; myriad insects that buzz,
bite and sting; knowing how to keep
the blood flowing to your extremities
at all times; and keeping your mind
active. The moment you let your
guard down is always when the action
happens. Always."
These words are a microcosm
for handling difficult situations in
conservation as a whole and for life
in general.
This mindset has also allowed the
population of one of the world's rarest
species that fell to fewer than 20 birds
rise to roughly 830 known individuals
today with names like Yay, Nay and
even Husker Red.
Michael Forsberg's "Into
Whooperland" reminds us to not let
our guard down.
"Into Whooperland — A Photographer's
Journey with Whooping Cranes" recently
won the gold medal in the Nature
category of the 2025 Independent
Publisher Book Awards and is
available at MichaelForsberg.com.
Pilot Chris Boyer and Michael Forsberg at the Aransas County Airport in Texas. ALEX WILES
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A harvested whooping crane.
Circa 1888 in Elm Creek,
Nebraska.
JOEL SARTORE ESTATE
