Photographing the the world’s largest Sandhill Crane migration on the Platte River in Nebraska
One of North America’s most spectacular wildlife events occurs when nearly a million Sandhill Cranes gather each spring in Nebraska to feed and rest before heading to their northern breeding grounds. NANPA has partnered the Audubon Rowe Sanctuary on the Platte River in Nebraska to organize a photo tour to capture this spectacle March 23-27, 2026. During the tour our NANPA group will have exclusive access to a large photo blind at the Sanctuary for two morning and two evening photo shoots giving us a prime spot for photographing the birds as they take off, land and wade in the river. In addition, our group will have permission to use tripods and continuous shooting – something not permitted in all the blinds.
Join us on this webinar for a sneak peek to what a front row seat to witness this migration will be like. The webinar will be led by NANPA photo tour leader Mark Gocke, who grew up in Nebraska near this extraordinary Sandhill Crane migration, and features Marcos Stoltzfus the Director of the Rowe Sanctuary where the photography blind is located. This entertaining and educational presentation will include plenty of time for questions and answers.
Mark Gocke
Mark grew up just a 45-minute drive from the photo blinds at Rowe Sanctuary and knows the area and wildlife well. Currently he lives in Jackson, WY, and has photographed in the Teton / Greater Yellowstone area for over 30 years. He spent 33 years working for wildlife conservation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Starting as a Habitat Biologist in 1991 he then found his calling as a Public Information Specialist, which he did for 29 years based in Jackson Hole, WY. A regular part of his job was to document and convey the many field activities of the Game and Fish Department through both video and still photography, activities including a variety of wildlife captures, aerial surveys, prescribed fires, etc. Mark especially enjoys teaching what he’s most passionate about, wildlife and nature photography.
