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Sandhill Crane Week 24

11/28/16


Sandhill Crane
Two adults and the 24 week old juvenile forage
in the small prairie area next to Tiedeman's Pond.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile is bigger than either parent, so
it may well be a male. Its crown is changing color.


Sandhill Crane
All three are more alert than in the past, not for any one
thing in particular. Maybe it's the migration thrill ramping up.


Sandhill Crane
As always one generally is studying the surroundings when
the other two are busy with their heads down.


Sandhill Crane
Even the juvenile has guard duty now.


Sandhill Crane
Looking off over the pond at a few Canada Geese
endlessly yakking away as they like doing.


Sandhill Crane
Something over there interesting to more
than one for the moment.


Sandhill Crane
With such a thoughtful stare and scrutiny, it
makes you wonder what's going on in its head.


Sandhill Crane
When heads are down it's easy to tell
what the thoughts of the moment are.


Sandhill Crane
Now the gaze wanders to the nearby hiking trail
busy with talking people and their dogs.
They might be thinking about handouts from one house.


Sandhill Crane
A lot of natural foraging in the muck of the marshy
area and retaining ponds. Crossing in a row to the opposite side.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile veers off to the right as the
two adults ascend the bank.


Sandhill Crane
A few swivels and concentrated glares from the juvenile,
but nothing edible flickers below the dark surface.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile followed its parents, but turned at
the edge of the small pond for one last look. No luck.


Sandhill Crane
Breaking the always on watch rule, the adult supposed to
be on sentry instead does a bit of grooming.


Sandhill Crane
After that they head down in the bubbling mud at the
edge of Tiedeman's Pond itself.


Sandhill Crane
This is where the long legs come in handy. They waded in
almost up to their bellies before returning.


Sandhill Crane
More hunting, but not much going on in the food pantry.


Sandhill Crane
More people passing require more stares to be sure
it's still safe.


Sandhill Crane
Now they spend much more of their time studying what's
way off there than foraging, even more so than in the summer.


Sandhill Crane
Off for another try at the edge of Tiedeman's Pond.


Sandhill Crane
That lasted for only a minute. Then all headed back toward
the building just north of the little park on the west side.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile led the way onto the gravel path.


Sandhill Crane
Pausing at the new textures, they studied things a bit
before crossing toward the condos nearby.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile still has a white toe nail that it
had all summer, so that hasn't changed yet, if it will?


Sandhill Crane
Maybe go back to the pond. There might be overlooked
prey there. Nope


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile approaches a bird bath to
see if it might have good water or not.


Sandhill Crane
Yes. Then in for a drink at the bird bath at a convenient
height for a young crane. Within a few weeks they'll be
in New Mexico or Texas and the juvenile will be on its own
not too many weeks after that. The next phase in its life...

© Michael Bailey All Rights Reserved; Not for reproduction.
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in any form or by any means whatsover.

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