It's Cranemania around here!
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A pair of Sandhill Cranes have successfully nested in our backyard for the past six or seven years. This year's nest produced two eggs with both eggs hatching -- which, of course, doesn't always happen. The neighborhood is abuzz with excitement. The next few weeks are critical as the baby Sandhills will be swimming with sharks.
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Three days older and a little bolder.
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They're growing like weeds. In the past nine days the chicks legs appear to have grown about 3" in length.
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They're still growing like weeds!
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Awesome !!!!
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Our Sandhill Crane chicks have now reached about 7/8 of their full-grown adult size. One can assume they'll soon be learning to fly. They are keeping the neighborhood amused and entertained . . . yesterday they were waiting at our neighbor across the street's back patio door just after daybreak begging for corn, today it was our turn. Most unfortunately, one of the chicks somehow lost its right eye, but does seem to be managing . . .
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Very cool.
Take good care of them and do not let them fly to Texas. At least not to the Texas Panhandle as there is a hotbed of Sandhill crane shooting there - and they are good eating! |
Thanks for the update. They are growing and seem to be doing well.
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After early morning showers three quarters of our Sandhill Crane family stopped by the front yard for a drink. We haven't seen the blind-in-one-eye baby for several days now. We fear for her fate.
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Very cool to watch them grow up like you have. Too bad about the blinded one. I'm looking forward to a good crowd of ruffies in the yard this winter. Folks are reporting seeing family groups around the neighborhood but they haven't visited me yet. Hopefully when the snow flies. Last year I had 11 of them in the yard at this time.
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I understand they are legal to hunt in Canada and considered excellent eating. The meat is redish and they call it ribeye in the sky. I live in Florida they are protected here and we have lots of them walking around like they own the place. I enjoy watching them with the younger ones the bad part is they walk across busy streets with out fear thankfully the drivers slow down or stop for them. Most of the time they just walk but when they fly it is a thing of beauty.
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Our neighborhood pair of nesting Sandhill Cranes are back for their 8th consecutive year. There's still a bunch of snow on the ground and it got down to 4 above last night.
You've got to wonder what this Sandhill might be thinkin'? |
I pretty much know what he/she is thinking, "What the ****". The very same thing many of us are thinking.
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This, the 8th consecutive year of successfully nesting, our neighborhood family of Sandhill Cranes has produced just one offspring this year. These photos, taken just moments ago, show the proud parents taking their little baby out for a stroll while others look on in amazement:
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The talk of the neighborhood is growing like a weed.
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Greg- these updates are great - thank you
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They hunt them in Canada the meat is said to be red and very good. They call them rib eye in the sky. We have lots of them here in Florida they walk right into traffic not to smart but the people know them and are careful. Just could not see shooting them but pass shooting them flying high is at least sporting and fair to the Cranes.
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Mr. & Mrs. Sandhill, ever watchful of their pride and joy, who's now nearly all feathered out, stops for a cool drink on a sweltering hot 4th of July afternoon. Unbeknownst to them and what is sure to sound like bombs going off, takes place later on tonight.
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The cranes and turkeys are seeking some shade from the intense heat of the sun, while the turkeys await their turn for a cool drink of fresh cold water just added to the bird bath. The cranes are showing their dominance over the turkeys by temporarily monopolizing the bird bath.
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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?
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"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.
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Sad, sad news
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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. |
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Sara |
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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!
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R.I.P. Baby Crane
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The Neighborhood was Quiet as Word Arrived
It was quiet in the neighborhood the first Wednesday of August. The Chickadee did not peep, nor the Bluejay scorn. For they heard from the Owl who also told the Crow, that he had heard from the Squirrel who was with the Rabbit when the Chipmunk said that the Buck said that the Turkey heard ... that the Baby Crane had died. |
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.
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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. |
I have really enjoyed the clips of these birds but was really saddened by the loss of the little one....charlie
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The baby Sandhills have made it through their first month of existence unscathed and are growing rapidly. I have noticed the adults are very protective of their offspring -- especially with deer. They will actually run after, chase and literally peck at the heads of the deer with their dagger-like beaks if the deer get too close. A keen observer will notice the photo bomber in the attached pic allowing plenty of respect that the adult Sandhills demand.
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Any more word on the little darlings?
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An adult sandhill crane flew over the lake here in Maine at about 700-800 feet two days ago. It circled a couple of times then continued north. I had never seen one in Maine before (or any other New England state besides MA) and had to rub my eyes and pinch myself, but it was the real deal.
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Amazing creatures. Why would anyone want to shoot one? |
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With the same predictability as the Swallows of Capistrano our nesting pair of Sandhill Cranes arrived back from their Wintering grounds in the South to their breeding grounds here in Northcentral Wisconsin on March 15th -- not about March 15th, but exactly on March 15th, each and every year. This mark's the 11th consecutive year of bringing their brand of excitement to our neighborhood...and with this same degree of predictability they are parading their little offspring through the neighborhood in mid-May of every year. Here's our first sight of them today, May 14th:
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Ain’t Nature Grand?
Wonderful news!! . |
I do enjoy and look forward to this Sandhill journey every year. Thanks
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Nice thread.
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Infection probably.
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