March 20, 2025
Episode 11
Crane House
Al & Diane Johnson
Coastal landowners Al and Diane Johnson talk with Mike about the joy of waking up to cranes each morning, familiar birds they’ve known over the years, and their thoughts on the future of habitat along the Gulf Coast.
Episode Extras
Whooper Neighbors
Al and Diane Johnson’s property is right on the Aransas coast–a highly sought-after habitat and established winter territory for a handful of whooping cranes. The Johnsons wake up to whooper calls greeting the morning, and watch them right out the window of their home.
“Yay” (yellow-aluminum-yellow) and “Nay” have been their most recent long-time residents. Though occasionally visitors stop in to check things out, including our familiar whooper friend, Husker Red.
Through the years, the whooping cranes have become highly expected and welcomed seasonal neighbors.
The Money Maker…
During a trip to Aransas in February 2021, Mike spent some time in a blind on the Lamar Peninsula near Al and Diane’s place. The goal was to photograph whoopers overnight on a marsh in the moonlight. After being zipped up through the night and gritting against an unnerving big tide in the morning, Mike walked up the road dripping wet, and shared photos of cranes lit by the moon, then greeting by the morning light. Al named his favorite morning shot of Mike’s “The Money Maker.”
Episode 10: El Campo
Episode 12: Whooper Captains