On Nov 15, 8:48*am, Herbert kilian wrote:

An excellent soaring bird has not been mentioned: the Sandhill Crane.

Very true, Herbert!

In Central/Eastern Washington State there's a big Sandhill Crane
migration every spring... We can hear the huge flocks on the ground
as they pass over our gliderport at several thousand feet - loud
conversationalists, they are!

I've never shared a thermal with one, but I've flown near them and
noticed they have an uncanny knack for finding shear-lines and
streets. Someday I'll figure out how to take advantage of those
myself... :-P

--Noel