A slightly different version of "Postcard from Hiwassee Island" appeared in the online journal Cagibi: A Literary Space. Postcard from Hiwassee Island If you come to Tennessee to see cranes, come in winter. January is best. And bring warm clothing—the hills of southeast Tennessee have occasional snow, ice, and frost. Hiwassee Refuge is a large property with access limited to specific locations. Bring a telescope or a friend with a telescope if you can.
I have another story about cranes in The Hellbender Press: https://hellbenderpress.org/news/sandhills-fly-in.