It's Cranemania around here!

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Greg Baehman]

Three days older and a little bolder.

[Greg Baehman]

They're growing like weeds. In the past nine days the chicks legs appear to have grown about 3" in length.

[Greg Baehman]

They're still growing like weeds!

[Phillip Carr]

Awesome !!!!

[Greg Baehman]

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 . . .

[Charles Shelton]

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!

[Daniel G Rainey]

Thanks for the update. They are growing and seem to be doing well.

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Richard Flanders]

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.

[John Walters]

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.

[Greg Baehman]

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'?

[Gary Laudermilch]

I pretty much know what he/she is thinking, "What the ****". The very same thing many of us are thinking.

[Greg Baehman]

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:

[Greg Baehman]

The talk of the neighborhood is growing like a weed.

[Rick Losey]

Greg- these updates are great - thank you

[John Walters]

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.

[Greg Baehman]

~ ~ snip ~ ~ Just could not see shooting them but pass shooting them flying high is at least sporting and fair to the Cranes.
I wonder what the Cranes would think about that?

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Sara LeFever]

The cranes are showing their dominance over the turkeys by temporarily monopolizing the bird bath.

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

Sara

[Greg Baehman]

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?

[Russell E. Cleary]

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.

[Todd Poer]

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.

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Sara LeFever]

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

[Greg Baehman]

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!

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Michael Moffa]

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.

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[charlie cleveland]

I have really enjoyed the clips of these birds but was really saddened by the loss of the little one....charlie

[Greg Baehman]

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.

[Michael Moffa]

Any more word on the little darlings?

[Dean Romig]

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.





.

[Greg Baehman]

Any more word on the little darlings?

The baby cranes appear to have done very well in dodging the bullets lurking in their world. This is very good news compared to the dismal success of the last several nestings. The mature adults have taught these two young colts how to fly and how to hunt for food on their own. They are raising Cain with the chipmunks, mice, grass snakes, earthworms and anything else they find palatable. Lately they've found whole kernel corn to be quite delectable and can be fed by hand. Here's a couple of pics taken just today, the last one momma and her two babies are gobbling up corn from an ice cream pail that I'm holding while pappa stands guard just out of view of the camera.

Amazing creatures. Why would anyone want to shoot one?

[Greg Baehman]

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:

[Dean Romig]

Ain’t Nature Grand?

Wonderful news!!





.

[Gary Laudermilch]

I do enjoy and look forward to this Sandhill journey every year. Thanks

[john pulis]

Nice thread.

[Dean Romig]

Infection probably.





.

[Greg Baehman]

This morning Mama and Papa Crane are out with their babies showing them the ways of the world. Hunting for breakfast is on the menu at the moment and is just the beginning of a plethora of lessons to be learned.

A keen observer may notice something else in this pic of others that have left their sign.

[Stan Hoover]

This morning Mama and Papa Crane are out with their babies showing them the ways of the world. Hunting for breakfast is on the menu at the moment and is just the beginning of a plethora of lessons to be learned.

A keen observer may notice something else in this pic of others that have left their sign.

Buck rub on the tree?

[Greg Baehman]

Buck rub on the tree?
Congratulations Stan! That is the answer the judges have been looking for. For being the first respondent with the correct response you will be receiving our semi-prestigious "Attaboy Award". In addition, your name will be thrown in a drum and you are now automatically entered in our coveted "Grand Prize Drawing" to held at a later date.

[Greg Baehman]

The little colts are growing like weeds, their legs appear to have grown a couple of inches in just this past week.

In the 2nd pic below the little one in the back is showing the traits of the adult birds when displaying their mating dance -- spreading and flapping their wings while jump dancing.

They are so entertaining...

[Richard Flanders]

Very cool. Must be big fun to watch and feed them. Best I can do right now is watch a raven come in and pick up the daily red squirrel I put out for him.

[Greg Baehman]

At about six weeks of age the two young colts are doing fine. They are now mostly feathered out and have grown to near 3/4 of their adult size. It won't be long before they'll be taking flying lessons.

[charlie cleveland]

they sure have grown...I have really enjoyed this post...thanks charlie

[Greg Baehman]

The two young colts in the foreground are now about 7/8 adult size. Their legs are turning the black color of mature birds, but their beaks are yet to turn and the red feathers of their foreheads are yet to appear. They are just now learning take-off and landing procedures by scooting across the yard with wings flapping, gaining just a couple of feet of altitude before quickly settling down. It won't be long before they'll be taking short flights.

[Keith Sirmans]

Thank you for this!

[Greg Baehman]

Our neighborhood Sandhill colts are now approximately 60+ days old and we've witnessed them taking short flights. We live at the south end of a cul-de-sac and these colts, being carefully watched by their parents, are now taking flight right from the end of the street in front of our house and flying about 1/2 way up the block to the north where a neighbor has a pair of metal Sandhill figurines in his front yard where they're landing. They then are taking off from there and flying back down the street to the end of the cul-de-sac. I would guess that within the next couple of days they'll be graduating to full flight training.

Here's a YOUTUBE video depicting what we've been witnessing the past couple of weeks around here. I of course, didn't do the video, but a lady named Nina Faust did a very nice job of chronicling young Sandhills learning to fly near Homer, Alaska in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hf8Yzu17o8

[Greg Baehman]

Nature can be cruel -- we can't change that . . . it is what it is.

My wife and I witnessed nature's cruelty involving our neighborhood family of cranes tonight that was quite disturbing and emotional. In the pic below you are seeing what's left of a baby cottontail rabbit being shredded by one of the adult Sandhills. The baby rabbit was in our front yard minding its own business and trying to make itself invisible when the family of four cranes sauntered in, identified what was on the lawn and immediately zeroed in on the defenseless little rabbit. Both adults were on the baby rabbit like heat-seeking-missiles running after and chasing down the baby rabbit, stabbing it repeatedly with their stiletto-like beaks and tossing it in the air like pizza chefs until the baby rabbit took its last breath. They then shredded the rabbit into bite-sized pieces and fed their two young colts which are just off camera to the right.

Yes, nature can be cruel -- we can't change that . . . it is what it is.

[Gary Laudermilch]

It is a tough world out there, especially when you are at the bottom of the pecking order. That is why rabbits evolved into prolific breeders.

[John Dallas]

I think being a bait fish may be the worst job going. You are being chased by fish from below, and birds from above. Nowhere to hide

[Greg Baehman]

Finally, a little leisure time in the sun! After dodging the heavy weather of the past week the Sandhills appear to be relaxing -- at least for the moment, as there's nothing in the fridge.

[Greg Baehman]

WANTED FOR VANDALISM

Perpetrator has been caught in the act of pecking at our patio door screen leaving holes in the screen. This results in no other choice but having to replace the screen. :banghead:

Some kind of deterrant and reprimand is in order, but I'm not quite sure what that is. Yelling and shoo-ing the perpetrator away with a broom has not been effective.

Here's a pic of the extremely guilty looking vandal posing for his mug shot and the evidence of his destruction.

[Stan Hillis]

I think the suspect needs to be "grilled" about it, to see if he fesses up. 250 degrees for about 12 minutes, then 400 degrees for 6 more should do it.

[Greg Baehman]

Stan, Stan, Stan . . . your suggestion is not an option! If I were to do as you suggest I would not only be ostracized from the entire neighborhood, I, myself; would be "grilled" by these same neighbors!

You see, in our neighborhood, this Sandhill family and in particular the baby Sandhills are like children. Would you actually grill your own child? After eleven consecutive years of producing baby Sandhills, this has been the one and only instance of any meaningful, albeit minor, damage done to our property.

I have decided what I'm going to do with this wayward youngster . . . nothing, nada, not a thing! Many bird species are or about to start migrating South for the Winter. Our Sandhill family is no different and will likely be heading for Texas before long. From what I've learned, the entire family will stay together over the Winter and return to this very spot in our neighborhood in the Spring; at which point the adult pair will kick out last year's offspring and start a new family -- just as they've done for the entire time they've nested in our neighborhood and the species has done for eons of time. They say Sandhills pair for life and may migrate and produce young for 25 - 30 consecutive years.

Here's hoping for their safe and successful return in the Spring! :cheers:

[Stan Hillis]

It was said tongue in cheek, Greg. They're very interesting and I've enjoyed your pictures and narratives. But, seriously, I don't get so attached to wild animals or birds that I consider them children.

All the best to you.

[Greg Baehman]

I kind of thought your reply Stan might have been tongue-in-cheek and my reply to you Stan, was tongue-in-cheek as well. My "Sandhills are like children" comment was used metaphorically.

All good.

[Stan Hillis]

All good, Greg.

[Greg Baehman]

For the 12th consecutive year our neighborhood Sandhill Crane pair returned as predicted on March 15th. This year's nesting produced just one offspring. Their one baby, termed a colt, has now grown to about 7/8 adult size and is learning the ways of the world -- and that means survival. Survival has many meanings, hunting for food as well as avoiding all the sharks they are swimming with on a daily basis -- red fox, raccoons, electrical lines, kids with BB guns, hunters, etc. are just a few of these sharks.

Below are the adult birds showing their young colt a couple of ways of the world -- searching for food and keeping themselves tidy and clean. They are all-right by us for leaving their preened feathers in a pile for easy clean-up.

[Richard Flanders]

My sister in Michigan loves having 8-10 turkeys and maybe a few SH cranes hang out in her pasture all summer. They totally ignore her when she walks by them - they have figured out that she is not a threat. They light up her life every day they're there and I get daily reports.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Been waiting for this year's report. Thanks!

[Mike Koneski]

Sandhills are on my bucket list.

[Garry L Gordon]

Greg, there are all kinds of luck. This is one of them.

For the 12th consecutive year our neighborhood Sandhill Crane pair returned as predicted on March 15th. This year's nesting produced just one offspring. Their one baby, termed a colt, has now grown to about 7/8 adult size and is learning the ways of the world -- and that means survival. Survival has many meanings, hunting for food as well as avoiding all the sharks they are swimming with on a daily basis -- red fox, raccoons, electrical lines, kids with BB guns, hunters, etc. are just a few of these sharks.

Below are the adult birds showing their young colt a couple of ways of the world -- searching for food and keeping themselves tidy and clean. They are all-right by us for leaving their preened feathers in a pile for easy clean-up.

[Greg Baehman]

Greg, there are all kinds of luck. This is one of them.
Luck is schweet. It’s like we won the lotto. Next, we’re buying Maui. All of it.

[charlie cleveland]

I really like this report on the cranes....charlie

[Greg Baehman]

CODE RED!

The young Sandhill colt has somehow suffered a serious injury. I know it's hard to tell from the still pic below, but our darling little baby in the foreground is unable to put any weight on its right leg, forcing it to hop on its left leg to move. It appears to be a hip injury that must have happened today, because yesterday it was fine. The next few days are going to be an enormous challenge, hopefully the adult parent birds will ward off the predators.

[charlie cleveland]

I hope the young bird heals fast I sure hope the parents keep watch over it....charlie

[Greg Baehman]

What initially looked to me to be a hip injury now appears more likely to be the young colt's knee. The adult pair are just off camera hunting for food (mice, voles, grass snakes, grubs, etc.) while the colt watches on. Prior to sustaining the injury, the young bird would be learning the trade along side and with the adult birds. I haven't yet witnessed the adults bringing anything of sustenance to the young bird, I sure hope they do. If not, besides predators, starvation is a possibility.

[Gary Laudermilch]

Nature can be cruel.

[Greg Baehman]

CODE RED! UPDATE:

For those that have been following along I have some good news! . . . it appears the leg injury the young sandhill crane sustained three weeks ago has mostly healed and is now likely to make it. After a week or so of having to hop on one leg in order to move, fear for its survival -- predators and starvation were real possibilities. But, its parents, the adult birds, saw to it that their little one would survive. Several times we witnessed the adult birds bringing food to their baby -- grubs, nightcrawlers, mice, etc. After that first week of hopping on one leg the juvenile crane was able to put a little weight on the leg and limp along. It has been getting incrementally better each day with the limp almost undetectable today. In the photo below one of the adults caught and killed a field mouse under the fence and has brought it over for its young to feast on.

[Gary Laudermilch]

In this upside-down world good news is indeed welcome. Looks like he will be strong enough to make the fall flight.

[charlie cleveland]

good for the young bird and his faithful parents....charlie

[Greg Baehman]

THE CRANES ARE BACK!

THE CRANES ARE BACK!

Our neighborhood nesting pair of Sandhill Cranes arrived today for the 13th consecutive year of bringing their brand of excitement to the neighborhood. This pair of said-to-mate-for-life Sandhill Cranes were exactly two weeks late in arriving this year, but we can't blame them, our backyard and their cattail marsh nesting grounds are still frozen up solid . . . but it shouldn't be long. If their history holds true, we'll see the usual one or two babies sometime around mid-May.

Here are three pics from today, just after their return and our getting reacquainted rendezvous:

[Dean Romig]

Wow, that’s great! And deer on the other side of the fence.





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[Thomas L. Benson Sr.]

When you feed them by hand are they gentle with those long beaks. Thomas

[Greg Baehman]

When you feed them by hand are they gentle with those long beaks. Thomas
Yes, the adults are gentle and quite careful. They zero in on each kernel of corn with precision, the young colts aren't quite as accurate, however; they are gentle as well.

If we have friends over when the cranes saunter in looking for a snack and they would like to see them being fed, I will usually feed them by hand myself. If the friends are first timers at hand feeding and would like to give it a try, they will usually do so with some apprehension, but that apprehension goes away after the first couple of kernels are snatched up by the cranes.

[charlie cleveland]

just wow.....charlie

[Greg Baehman]

You've heard the phrase .... "What a difference a day makes!" …. Well, our feathered friends must be singing the same tune today. Yesterday the mallards were doing what they do in the rain and newly found melted ice. Then, today the Sandhills are sloshing through the slush after the rain changed over to a few inches of heavy wet snow overnite. (You can actually see their tracks left in the slush.)

It must be April!

[Jeff Sweeter]

Do any of the offspring come back to that general area or just the 2 adults that have always been there.This is a neat story and pics.

[Greg Baehman]

Do any of the offspring come back to that general area or just the 2 adults that have always been there.This is a neat story and pics.
I am not an ornithologist, nor do I try to play one on the internet. But, from what I’ve read, the entire family will stay together over the Winter and return to this very spot in our neighborhood in the Spring; at which point the adult pair will kick out last year's offspring and start a new family. Having said this, from our experience over the course of the past 12 years, the offspring of the year have roughly a 50:50 chance of living long enough to migrate south for the Winter. In addition, over these same 12 years I don’t recall more than the 2-bird breeding pair accompanied by last year’s young with them when they’ve arrived back in the Spring.

[Greg Baehman]

THINGS CHANGE . . .

Just as the world of golf has changed, so has the modus operendi nesting habits of our neighborhood pair of Sandhills. In years past we'd typically see them parading through the neighborhood showing off that year's brood -- their young, always just a day or two old -- some year's with just one, other year's with two in tow. But, not this year. You see, for their entire typical nesting time -- from approximately mid-April through mid-May and up to the present date they've been AWOL. Nobody saw them. We feared the worst. That was, until today, when the two adult birds brought their ~3-4 week old colts out for a stroll.

. . . WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN?

Here they are today!

[Chris Pope]

...just made my wife's day!

[Greg Baehman]

Mated pairs of Sandhill Cranes lead a challenging and often sorrowful life. And so it goes with our neighborhood pair of Sandhills. From our personal experience observed over the past 12 consecutive years, their success ratio of raising their young to the age of them migrating south in the fall to their wintering grounds is less than 50:50. This year's nesting produced two colts, as reported in my last post. But, about 3 weeks ago, one of their babies had gone missing, likely succumbing to one of the sharks existing in their world. So our pair of Sandhills have experienced the sorrow yet again and are now down to just one little one. We're crossing our fingers and hoping junior can make the journey south with its parents this fall.

[charlie cleveland]

I m hopeing too that the young one makes it south with it s parents...I feel over the loss of the other young one...charlie

[Greg Baehman]

I m hopeing too that the young one makes it south with it s parents...I feel over the loss of the other young one...charlie
You’re a thoughtful and compassionate man, Charlie. You have shown that time and time again through your posts on the forum.

[Greg Baehman]

The way I see it . . . why pay a lawn servicing company good money to come in and aerate your lawn, when you can get 'er done for nuttin'!

Our family of Sandhill Cranes arrived back a week earlier than their norm -- quite expected as we've had one of the mildest Winters on record in terms of temps and snow. This year our neighborhood nesting pair returned on March 9th with a special surprise as it appears they've brought back their offspring from last year. I had mentioned earlier that from what I’ve read, the entire family will usually stay together over the Winter and return to this very spot in our neighborhood in the Spring; at which point the adult pair will kick out last year's offspring and start a new family. Having said this, from our experience over the course of the past 13 years, the offspring of the year have roughly a 50:50 chance of living long enough to migrate south for the Winter. In addition, over these same 13 years I don’t recall more than the 2-bird breeding pair accompanied by last year’s young with them when they’ve arrived back in the Spring. But, as you can see, things are a bit different this year and I expect the young one will be forced out in the near future. It's hard to tell which one is the young one???

Here's a pic of our lawn aeration team in action. They work cheap! :)

[Garry L Gordon]

That is so cool!

[Greg Baehman]

Since their return this Spring the Sandhills have been busy. They've voted last year's colt off the island that had migrated back with them this Spring. They've also successfully nested and now are out for breakfast and showing this year's young the ways of the world.

[Garry L Gordon]

That is so cool, Greg. Keep us updated on your boarders.

[Stephen Hodges]

This is so interesting. Do you ever see the young one that has been kicked out of the family group again? If not, I wonder if the fly off in search of a mate?

[Greg Baehman]

This is so interesting. Do you ever see the young one that has been kicked out of the family group again? If not, I wonder if the fly off in search of a mate?
The paired adult birds allowed last year’s young one to hang around for ~2 weeks after they migrated back together this Spring. But, once the adults were on the nest, that was it for Junior; we haven’t seen him since. You’re probably wondering correctly in that he’s out playing the field in search of his soulmate.

[John Dallas]

Are they sexually mature at one year of age? Canada Geese aren't

[Greg Baehman]

Are they sexually mature at one year of age? Canada Geese aren't

No.

According to the AI website ChatGPT:
"Sandhill Cranes typically reach sexual maturity at around two to seven years of age, with most individuals reaching maturity around two to three years old. However, they may not breed until they are older, usually when they are three to seven years old. Breeding readiness can also be influenced by factors such as habitat quality and population density."

The below pic was taken just moments ago:

[Greg Baehman]

In just the past 13 days you can see the baby Sandhills are growing and have been well taken care of by their parents. Worms, night crawlers, grubs, baby grass snakes and a little whole kernal corn have been on the menu.

[Garry L Gordon]

Nice!! I wish we had some to thin out our locust infestation. :)

[Greg Baehman]

There’s been a steady rain for most of the day, the birds are drenched, but the show goes on . . .

[Greg Baehman]

The adult pair of Sandhills have done a great job of nurturing their young colts and keeping them safe from the predators lurking in their world. The youngins are now about 3 1/2 months old, mostly feathered out and are nearing full size -- although one is about an inch or two taller than the other. In this pic they've been nibbling on some whole kernal corn, but their main diet that we've observed contains more protein such as grubs, worms, nightcrawlers, small snakes, insects and small animals like chipmunks, voles, mice and an occasional baby bunny rabbit.

[Greg Baehman]

Our nesting pair of Sandhills have successfully brought their two offspring through this year's nesting season despite all the challenges, trials and tribulations lurking in their world throughout the Spring and Summer. As we have witnessed through the years, if they're lucky, one or maybe two colts, have about a 50:50 chance of survival and the opportunity of migrating South with their parents for the Winter. We also know that about mid-September is typically when the birds are looking to leave for their staging grounds and join up with hundreds of other Sandhills before migrating on to their big journey South to their Wintering grounds. We look forward to the return of the adult mated pair in the Spring and also for the young birds to return to strike it out on their own.

As you can see, their coloration has changed over the summer. The 1st pic below taken in mid-June they were a brownish fawn color. While the last pics, taken in mid-September they are now grayish silver color.

[Garry L Gordon]

Great photos—thanks! We saw quite a few on our recent trip to Wisconsin. Good to see so many.

[Greg Baehman]

THE SANDHILLS ARE BACK, THE SANDHILLS ARE BACK, THE SANDHILLS ARE BACK!!

About 3 weeks later than their norm, nonetheless; they’re back for the umpteenth time of doing their thing — propagating their species and entertaining the neighborhood. Many things have crossed our minds for their delay in returning . . . could they have been shot, were they victims of the bird flu, did one or both of the mated pair die of old age or it could have been any number of the many challenges lurking in their world.

But, who cares? They’re back!