We are blessed to have sandhill cranes around here.
They can be found in fields in the late afternoon.
One evening a few years ago my husband and I went for an evening bike ride and saw two of them dancing in a small stream. Whether it was a mating dance or something else I may never know, but it was a beautiful sight.
There are two spots, both near local lakes, where it is almost a given we'll see them.
I found two of them feeding the other morning when I went out to Twin Lakes to check what was blooming.
They stayed well back from the road so this was the best my lens could do.
I took more than 30 photos of them. I cropped and blew up the second pic as much as I dared.
14 comments:
Is it the photo blowing up process, or are those some big-ass birds?!?! They look ostrich sized!
Glad you caught a photo, I've never seen 'em before.
Big and beautiful. Thanks, we have heron and egret types around here, but i don't get to see many cranes.
Crabby, cranes are big-ass birds. I have to look hard at times to make sure they're not deer.
Messymimi, you're welcome.
They are a big draw for birders in my home state, Nebraska, along the Platte River, when they migrate. They figure in the novel THE ECHO MAKER, by Richard Powers. Yes, they are big.
Ron, I hadn't realized the Nebraska connection until I looked them up earlier today. I wondered why they were called "sandhill" cranes. I must check for that novel.
They are quit beautiful birds. Glad you got to see some and get photos.
These are absolutely awesome birds. I like to hear them when they are very high up and floating on thermals.
They truly are, Reb.
I love the sound of the cranes, too, Red.
I've only seen these birds in Oming's Game Farm back in the late 60s, and for you to get a photo of wild ones, Leah, wonderful capture!
Barbara, it was my pleasure to get these pics. I love to see them feed in the fields and fens.
Honestly, if I was as far from them as that first image would indicate, I'd have probably carried on. With my lousy eyesight, I'd think they were cows. I'm glad you knew otherwise. :)
Their water dance must have been lovely. I bet it's one of your fondest memories.
Hilary, it would be an honest mistake.
I will always treasure the memory of seeing the cranes dance.
Gorgeous. We had a pair nesting on the dugout across the road for several years, but I never could get a good picture.
They're usually so far away, Bag Lady. All we can do is try.
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