It's Cranemania around here!

[Wild Skies]

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.

[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.