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Sandhill Crane Week 8



Sandhill Crane
How a Sandhill Crane lays down, knees bending
backwards, with a very careful kneel.


Sandhill Crane
Then plop breast-first on the ground over
the extended legs and feet.


Sandhill Crane
Then fall asleep. This was about a fifteen
minute nap with open eyes every few minutes.


Sandhill Crane
Possible foods are still being analyzed. Here the fallen
blossom of a flowering tree. Take a minute or two to decide. Nope.


Sandhill Crane
After receiving a worm, the juvenile immediately wanted more,
but all the parent had was mud and grass in its bill.


Sandhill Crane
Insects in the bark of a large tree are good.


Sandhill Crane
Possibly the favorite food is a worm,
just received from a parent.


Sandhill Crane
All three as they make the morning rounds
searching for insects, worms and the odd mouse.


Sandhill Crane
The most important items on the agenda are wings and
how to use them. A parent shows off to a rapt audience.


Sandhill Crane
Flight feathers are coming into their own,
beautifully formed.


Sandhill Crane
Exercising wings and muscles. Soon the discovery
of flight once strong enough and the flapping vigorous enough.


Sandhill Crane
Tucking in the equipment, but not for long.


Sandhill Crane
The parents know better, but the juvenile has to also
discover for itself not all things are edible.


Sandhill Crane
A simultaneous wing and leg stretch. The opposite
side is done next, almost like a tai chi move.


Sandhill Crane
One adult flaps enough that it stirs up the other
adult, causing a few loud comments.


Sandhill Crane
With both adults flaring their wings, the juvenile
becomes excited too, showing it with a good general feather ruffling.


Sandhill Crane
With the parents briefly done, the juvenile
is just getting warmed up.


Sandhill Crane
One adult runs and takes off in the direction of the
pond, with the juvenile flapping along behind, still on the ground.


Sandhill Crane
This is serious excitement.


Sandhill Crane
Wings wobble back and forth, a banking movement
while running in the direction of the adult that flew off.


Sandhill Crane
A good lean is part of a real take-off.
Pieces of the flight puzzle slowly coming together.


Sandhill Crane
Another small jump and flapping, but things are not
quite there yet.


Sandhill Crane
Wings back down, neck very ruffled from excitement.


Sandhill Crane
A turn and off again as the flying adult banks over
the pond, coming back.


Sandhill Crane
Running, running, flapping, leaning. Serious business.


Sandhill Crane
The remaining adult runs and flaps after the juvenile.
All this earthbound business is getting a bit much.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile looks quite streamlined and ready
for flight.


Sandhill Crane
Another little leap, flapping harder and harder.


Sandhill Crane
But no lift-off yet.


Sandhill Crane
The parent flies over from behind as the first one
returns from the brief flight and lands. More lessons to go.
They resume strolling and eating as a trio.

© Michael Bailey All Rights Reserved; Not for reproduction.
No photograph from this blog may be reproduced or used
in any form or by any means whatsover.

2 comments:

  1. Wonderful imagery and great reportage of this juvenile's development. Thank you for your study and sharing the youngster's progress!

    ReplyDelete