Service roads crisscross the Refuge but visitors are not allowed out here. Wildlife back here is a little more skitterish to traffic noise. First 7 then 3 and 4 then 3 more for a total of 17 Whooping Cranes took to wing as we passed through the isolated area. Graceful, powerful wing strokes lift them into the air. Their croaky, gurgling call floats through the air as they coordinate their flight. We usually see the Whoopers walking along the flats while feeding so it was fun to see them flying.