It's Cranemania around here!

[Big D]

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

[Wild Skies]

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.

[Wild Skies]

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.

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.

[Wild Skies]

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!

[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.

[Wild Skies]

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.

[Wild Skies]

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.

[mobirdhunter]

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

Originally Posted by 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.