A warm fuzzy pic for the day

[Joe 1320]

In our rural area, we have quite a few endangered species that call the area their home. One such critter is the Sandhill Crane. The adults stand approximately 4-4.5 feet tall with bright red on their heads.




One adult pair usually will only hatch one baby each year. Often difficult to spot, even more difficult to even get close. Mom and Dad weren't too happy with me getting close, but it was worth the effort........



You can't tell in the pic, but the baby almost looks like a bowling pin on spindly legs. No tail feathers yet.

[BrdWAtti2d]

We have a county park here that takes in wounded animals and nurses them back to health. They have a sand hill crane that's been there for years and lost its ability for flight. Apparently it imprinted the park truck at birth and think’s it is it’s mother, funny to watch that huge bird at a full trot chasing a big orange pickup. It's rather tame and very approachable.

[Joe 1320]

We have a county park here that takes in wounded animals and nurses them back to health. They have a sand hill crane that's been there for years and lost its ability for flight. Apparently it imprinted the park truck at birth and think’s it is it’s mother, funny to watch that huge bird at a full trot chasing a big orange pickup. It's rather tame and very approachable.

They are not aggressive, a little curious by nature. It's only when their offspring are present that they act a little wierd, using wounded bird tactics to try and lure you away. Here's a pic of one doing just that...... dropping the wings down and sort of limping off, trying to lure you away from the baby.




Even when you know what they are doing, it's hard to ignore them and focus on the baby. Nature has it's way.

[Steel2686]

Beautiful, Joe!

I love pics like that. Great shots.