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.

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