It's Cranemania around here!

[Wild Skies]

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.

[Wild Skies]

Three days older and a little bolder.

[Wild Skies]

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

[Wild Skies]

They're still growing like weeds!

[Phil C]

Awesome !!!!

[Wild Skies]

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 . . .

[crs]

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.

[Wild Skies]

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.