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Sandhill Crane Week 9



Sandhill Crane
Feeling good about the growth of its wings, the
juvenile exercises every possible moment.


Sandhill Crane
Between preening and flapping, the wings receive
all the attention they need.


Sandhill Crane
With short flights of ten or fifteen feet more
common, it sometimes helps to use a sloping runway.


Sandhill Crane
It probably knows a parent is flapping along
right behind as it gets off the ground briefly.


Sandhill Crane
And here comes the parent.


Sandhill Crane
Food and sharing, with the bill length difference
very obvious between juvenile and parent.


Sandhill Crane
Though it suspects something, the juvenile
doesn't know that a parent is on the way with a worm.


Sandhill Crane
Preening involves some serious contortions.


Sandhill Crane
Another element of maturing is the ability to take
a nap while standing on one leg. Check that one off.


Sandhill Crane
Flap about some more and see who gets stirred up.


Sandhill Crane
So far just the juvenile is excited about its own flapping.


Sandhill Crane
The flight feathers are about ready for full use.


Sandhill Crane
Everything flying over deserves admiration and envy.


Sandhill Crane
The wings have been increasing in width as each
feather grows out fully.


Sandhill Crane
Two feeding while one watches a dog on a leash
passing by on a walkway.


Sandhill Crane
Flapping also involves a bit of strutting.


Sandhill Crane
Work on the take-off lean.


Sandhill Crane
Airborne with a run and a couple of flaps.


Sandhill Crane
And a landing fifteen or twenty feet away with
the tail feathers flaring out nicely.


Sandhill Crane
This was one of those run and flap moments
that looks more like hop scotch than true flight.


Sandhill Crane
But it took the juvenile across a hundred feet of
space in no time, causing the alarmed parents to fly after it.


Sandhill Crane
Both parents are molting. The loose feathers are
a puzzle to the juvenile. It picked one up and dropped it several times.


Sandhill Crane
Carefully grabbing the end for another toss.


Sandhill Crane
Way up in the tree is sometimes interesting.


Sandhill Crane
Learning how to sit just like an adult, knees bent just so.


Sandhill Crane
The juvenile flapping stirred up a parent who flapped back.

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