Love these photos! Do the cranes usually rule over the turkeys?

Sara

You know Sara, perhaps dominance isn't the correct term to use, maybe respect would be a better description. If and when the turkeys get to the food and/or water first and then the cranes saunter in, the turkeys will back off and give the cranes some room. The cranes are really meek, mild and quite elegant creatures, perhaps it's their stiletto looking beaks that brings the respect . . . who knows?

"Walk softly and carry a big stick" -- T. R.

I think turkey's in general have an inferiority complex. Even as young birds they get picked on by owls, hawks and even more dominant turkey's. Most of the time they are very quiet and secretive birds, but then springtime hits and that randy gobbler thinks he is Mike Tyson in his prime.

Sad, sad news
 

A neighbor that lives across the street from us has reported that our baby crane is dead, apparently struck by a vehicle just this morning up the block and around the corner. It's really a pity as the baby crane had reached adult size and was taking short flights in preparation of its long journey south for the winter. The baby crane's parents are obviously devastated and the entire neighborhood is teary-eyed.

RIP Baby Crane.

Aw, no! So sorry to hear that! :(

Sara

With the same degree of predictability as the swallows of Capistrano, our pair of Sandhill Cranes returned once again to their nesting grounds here in northcentral Wisconsin on March 15th. This marks the 9th consecutive year of bringing their brand of excitement to our neighborhood. But alas, given this relatively late date, it appears their first attempt of nesting was unsuccessful as we usually see one or two fledglings by early to mid-May. We feared the worst. That is, until today July 10th, when momma and papa brought Junior through our backyard. Perhaps the 1st nesting failed, but the 2nd was definitely a success!

R.I.P. Baby Crane
 

Alabama has instituted a Sandhill Crane season for 400 hunters on a state wide draw for this fall. 1200 birds are the total to be harvested. State numbers had reached 15K birds. Last time a season had been held was 1913. Allowed area to shoot is in the north above I20.

As expected our nesting pair of Sandhill Cranes returned to our neighborhood for the 10th consecutive year arriving the middle of March. They soon set up shop and their nesting this year has produced two chicks. These chicks will be swimming with sharks for the next several months and face a very steep uphill battle in order to make it through to their unknown to them Southern wintering grounds. The last three nestings this pair of Sandhills produced never made it. We've got our fingers crossed that these little guys will beat the odds and make it through!

Here's a pic, taken just moments ago, of Mama and Papa with their pride and joy.