It's Cranemania around here!

[Wild Skies]

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.

[Wild Skies]

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.

[mobirdhunter]

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

[Wild Skies]

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!