A Different Morning Chorus

Yesterday morning Toby and I passed this pair of cranes down the road from our house.  When Toby started to bark, they took objection.   The one crane started to bob its head, open its wings with a powerful whump, and lift both feet off the ground - jumping in place, suspended by its wings.  It was telling us that it was big and powerful and capable of defending itself should we decide to come any closer.

Of course, I didn't have my camera.

This morning I took the camera and the cranes were back.  But Toby decided to control his barking, so they did not feel threatened.  No dancing today.

Still, there is nothing quite like the prehistoric calls of cranes.

I've often held turkeys up as the example that dinosaurs still roam this planet.  If you don't believe it, just watch a turkey as it walks along a field.  Better yet, watch a whole flock of 'em.  Then recall the scene from Jurassic Park where a herd of dinosaurs goes galloping past the camera.  You will easily see the similarities.

But the calls made by these cranes...there's just something about them that echoes through time.  Close your eyes and listen to this video.  Then tell me if you can picture pterodactyls.

Meet the Neighbors

There's nothing quite like waking up to the prehistoric calls of sandhill cranes.  These birds are considered about the oldest species (of birds) on Earth, displacing the loons, which have traditionally held this coveted position.

Yesterday morning there was quite a ruckus coming from the neighboring field.  Baby cranes are now on the move, so I was hoping to see some juveniles (saw my first ones the day before), but when Toby and I sallied forth across the field, it turned out that it was a group of adults making all the fuss.

They tolerated our presence for a few minutes, and finally decided that we were too much of a threat.  Off they took.

There's a pond over yonder, not too far from my house as the crane flies, and we think this is where these birds are hanging out.  I often hear them calling from that general direction.

Just a-Sittin' and a-Watchin'

This lovely sandhill crane is nesting literally a stone's throw from the roadside only a few short miles (two? three?) from work.  I stopped by this evening to snap some shots of her.  I'll have to go back with the tripod.