AS THE SANDHILL cranes make their fall return to the wetlands of the San Joaquin Valley, the festival celebrating the migratory birds celebrated its 25th anniversary this past weekend.
Presented by the Lodi Sandhill Crane Association and the City of Lodi, the annual Sandhill Crane Festival was a paradise for bird lovers and enthusiasts who got to spend their weekend learning about birds and especially the sandhills, make origami cranes, appreciate the artwork depicting the birds, purchase binoculars for their birdwatching tours and more.
A visitor photographs a Sandhill crane art installation covered in a detailed painting of Sandhill cranes in the wild, at the entrance of Hutchins Street Square Box during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Entries for a photo contest are displayed in an art exhibit at the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Visitors look at photos to vote for their favorite at the art exhibit during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A painting by featured artist Kathy Kleisteiber is displayed at the art galley during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi. The artwork was printed on T-shirts celebrating this year’s 25th annual festival. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Richard Crossley, an internationally acclaimed birder and photographer, gives his keynote presentation during the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Joy Kuo (right) helps Stephanie Michel paint a crane at an art session during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Keanu Colin, 7, takes part in the art session during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
An attendee looks at Sandhill crane-shaped earrings during the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Photographer Gary Everett (right) talks about his work with an attendee during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Josey Richter solves a bird puzzle during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Saturday. The Santa Rosa resident attended the festival for the first time this year and was looking forward to the Sandhill Crane tour. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Walker Wiley, 9, looks at an animal’s antler during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Winter Wiley, 9, asks a volunteer about the animal fur displayed during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Nov. 4, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
A good pair of binoculars is essential to enjoying Sandhill cranes in the wild. Monte Myers tests a pair for purchase during the Sandhill Crane Festival in Lodi on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
The festival annually attracts 900 to 1,000 attendees, said Nancy Nieland, a committee member organizing the festival. The festival consists of live art sessions, presentations about Sandhill cranes, over 20 booths of vendors and nonprofit organizations, art gallery and more.
“This festival is to encourage people to come out to see the birds,” said Nieland. Free public tours were offered during the festival, and other tour opportunities are listed on the association’s website, but those who want to see the birds on their own can easily find them at various locations around the Delta between October and February.
The cranes can be found at Staten Island, Cosumnes River Preserve wetlands, Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, Mokelumne River and along the Lodi Lake Nature Trail, among several sites across the county.
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
