Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) Confusion - Flying North then South

Carol Oliver writes,

I take pictures when something doesn't look right (on my cell). The other night there were lines of cranes flying north and then this morning just before daylight, flying south; they usually fly in formation, maybe ate too many blueberries.

LEO says:

With autumn drawing near, V formation (sometimes called a skein) of migrating birds cut through the sky as they head south. According to a 1970 paper, in a V formation of 25 members, each bird can effectuate a reduction of induced drag increasing their range by some 71%. Among the most notable of these fall migrants are sandhill cranes, with a distinct rattling call, and six-foot-wingspans. This observation has been shared with the Migratory Bird Management, Alaska Region, USFWS. M. Tcheripanoff

Resources:

Alaska Fish & Wildlife News – Alaska's Stately Sandhill Cranes, "There are two populations of cranes in Alaska, the Pacific Flyway Population and the Mid-Continent Population. The Pacific Flyway cranes nest further south, mainly along Bristol Bay and the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Island and around Upper Cook Inlet. Some of these cranes also nest throughout the muskegs of Southeast Alaska. The Mid-Continent Population numbers close to half a million birds. These birds nest across Canada, Interior Alaska and into Eastern Siberia." By Riley Woodford, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. November 2008

Alaska Department of Fish and Game – "The sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) is Alaska's largest game bird. Residents of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta have affectionately nicknamed it the “Sunday turkey.”

Video:

Public Broadcast Station – Oregon Field Guide - Sandhill Cranes. "One group of sandhill cranes skips the long migration to California and spends winter at Sauvie Island, near Portland. In summer, they head only to British Columbia, while other populations venture farther north to Alaska. This information was gleaned by researcher Gary Ivey after he put satellite trackers on the legs of cranes in Oregon and again in Alaska." Aired: 11/06/14. Clip: Season 14 | 8m 36s. Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting