Wild Bird Wednesday

I took these pictures about two weeks ago when you could still hear the Crane's morning serenade ... it is silent now and I am assuming they have joined the large flocks that migrate together to a warmer climate.  Didn't see any youngsters this year and I hear coyotes in the distance almost every night ... yes, they have a role to play, but I wish they would leave my birds alone :)

I am living in a time of bird famine ... suddenly there are no birds around to take pictures of except the sparrows, of course.  I know they have migrated, but even the finch are gone who usually stay all winter ... do they know something we don't?  Like is this going to be the winter from ... well, you know?  Anyway, Somebody is still eating my bird seed, probably squirrels and Raccoons, but I will just keep putting it our and hoping that the right someones will show up ... hmmmm :( 

Andrea

Wild Bird Wednesday

Sandhill Cranes

Mom ...

Dad ...

And Junior ...

We lose so many of the babies to Coyotes that is was a thrill to find a survivor ...

Happy MOM Everyone!

Wild Bird Wednesday

My day is always made when I spot a Sandhill Crane ... These are Lessor Sandhills which look exactly the same but a bit smaller.  My friend and I spotted them in a yard on a country road that we travel often (mainly because we are looking for the Sandhills :)

She had found a mud hole and was quite intent on throwing mud on herself when her mate suddenly became alerted ...

If you look in the upper left hand corner, you will see what had them spooked ...

It was time to make a quick departure and you can tell just how quick they were by watching where the dogs are in each picture (keep in mind the dogs are running full speed toward them).

They made their escape and were off to safer havens ... leaving us to deal with the dogs.  They surrounded our car and we couldn't move because we were afraid we would hit one of them.  Finally the owner came out and collected them ... Control your dogs, Lady!  Sorry, but I expect people to be responsible pet owners ... just sayin'

Wild Bird Wednesday

Wild Bird Wednesday # 38


Sandhill Cranes at Sunset

The Sandhill Cranes spend their days in the unplowed cornfields eating old corn that was left behind at harvest.  They are spread all over the country side.  You can't drive anywhere without seeing a group grazing in the fields.   At Sunset they all return to the Platte River Basin to roost.  They gather on the sandbars in the river because the water on each side protects them from predation. 

 "There is a magical time that occurs each year in the heart of North        America, when the river and the seasons and the birds all come into a brief conjunction.  When that happens, it is simply called sublime."

Paul A. Johnsgard
Crane Music: A Natural History of North American Cranes                                                                                                                                                                       

We all met and boarded our bus around 5 PM.  We traveled a short distance to the Fort Kearney State Recreational Area where a bridge has been built over the river for viewing the migratory flocks.  Before the birds started arriving we had a wonderful catered reception in the woods ... Hors d'oeuvres and wine or a soft drink if you preferred.  After we were well fed we headed for the Bridge (a 15 minute walk) and parked ourselves along the bridge to see what we could see ...

As you watch this slide show, understand that each slide is of a different flock in sequence ... they were coming from every direction.  Their Crane music (bugling) filled the air and they just  kept coming and coming.  If you look closely you will see specks in the backgrounds of many of the pictures which are more flocks coming in the distance.  My heart was in my throat the whole time.  In my lifetime, I can't remember ever feeling so close to or in awe of Nature.  I know ... you have to be there, but hopefully you will get some sense of the magnificence of this night on a bridge in Kearny, Nebraska.

BIRD CALLS and SONGS: Sandhill Crane

Linked to Wild Bird Wednesday

The Bird D'pot

I went to the State Park last week with a friend to get some walking in and take in some nature.  We drove to this section of the park in search of ducks which are usually hanging out in what is a swampy wetlands in a normal year ... but our drought has dried everything up.  We were lucky to find a pair of Sandhill Cranes walking amongst the weeds that have taken over the swamp ... they were probably searching for amphibians that are still in the swamp area (their normal home) trying desperately to survive.