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...

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