Those are whooping cranes in the top two shots - a once-in-a-lifetime flyover. There are 34 in this group, which is roughly one-tenth of the entire species.
"Continually regard the World as one living thing, composed of one substance and one soul. And reflect how all things have relation to its one perception; how it does all things by one impulse; how all things are the joint causes of all that come into being; and how closely they
are interwoven and knit together."
Shortly after I met my sister's horse I joined the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society. Just, y'know, 'cuz. They had their 10th annual expo out at the Travis County Expo Center today. It was a little overwhelming for me - seemed like most everyone there had tons of experience while I was just shambling around - but my impression was that they were able to get most of these rescued horses adopted. I was smitten with this four-year-old filly, Golly Gee. I don't know enough about horses to be able to tell you why. She did well on her training challenge, and she seemed calm and kind.