Monte Vista is for the birds!
The Sandhill Crane Festival is held in Monte Vista in the middle of March. Sandhill Cranes pass through the San Luis Valley each year - they start showing up in late February and hang around until late March or early April. There are wildlife preservation areas dedicated to growing the grain that will support them on the rest of their flight up north to breeding grounds in Idaho.
These critters are about four feet tall and have wings that span 6 feet! The flock in this area can reach as many as 20,000 birds.
The festival organizers provide bus tours (for a donation) and there are craft vendors and artists who display their goods at the festival.
This is an easy day trip from Colorado Springs, but you will have a better view of the birds if you go stay overnight and get up early to observe the birds - bring binoculars and your telephoto lens to get good photos.
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