Sandhill Season in the San Luis Valley
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado
There is a particular sound that carries across the San Luis Valley, returning each spring.
Before the sun clears the Sangre de Cristo range, before the frost lifts from the fields, a rolling, prehistoric call echoes over wetlands and agricultural land alike.
Sandhill Crane.
In just a couple of weeks, we’ll be vending at the 43rd Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival in the San Luis Valley, gathering with birders, biologists, photographers, conservationists, and early risers who know there is nothing quite like witnessing thousands of cranes lift off at once.
Sandhill Cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley of Colorado every spring
The San Luis Valley is one of the most important migratory stopovers for these majestic birds. Tens of thousands of cranes stage here each spring, relying on intact wetlands, agricultural fields, and careful water stewardship to refuel before continuing north.
To honor this migration, I’m launching a brand new design screen-printed on 100% USA-made organic cotton. This Sandhill Crane illustration is a tribute to dancing along with ancient ecological rhythms.
Our new design features Sandhill Cranes, wheat, frogs, and snails.
This design is for those who wake before dawn to listen.
For those who understand that conservation begins with presence.
For those who believe that loving birds means protecting the places they depend on.
Pre-orders open next week!
100% USA-Made Organic Cotton short-sleeve graphic tees
4-color screen-print with water-based ink
If you’re attending the festival, you can reserve your size and pick it up at the booth. If not, we can ship it straight to you so you can carry a piece of the migration wherever you are.
With gratitude for wild wings and wide valleys,
Founder, CEO
Sandhill Crane: Biology at a Glance
Fossil records show Sandhill Cranes have existed for over 2 million years, making them one of North America’s oldest living bird lineages.
Wingspan: up to 6.5 feet.
They form long-term pair bonds and perform elaborate unison calls and dancing displays.
Each spring, tens of thousands gather in the San Luis Valley to rest and refuel during migration.
Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
