Sunday, February 18, 2007

Sandhill Cranes at Greater World Earthship Community




My dog Dreyfus was barking yesterday morning outside my house and I looked out to see 10 huge birds over near my neighbor's house. I rushed out with my camera and got as close as I could without scaring them. Jen told me today that they were Sandhill Cranes (wingspan 5-6 feet!) Wow!

8 comments:

LynnA said...

That is so great Kirstin! I've never seen a sandhill crane, and I wish I'd been there to see them. Some day...

Suzane said...

Sandhill cranes are long-lived; some have been known to live more than 25 years in the wild. They do not attain sexual maturity until they are three to five years old. Their ground nest is built from nearby vegetation scraped in a small mound. Cranes lay two eggs, although it is rare for both young cranes to survive the 10 weeks to flight stage. The family group remains intact through the following spring, and if you look closely at the flocks in the flocks in the fields, you will easily observe these three-bird families. The young have a distinctive "peep" call so listen closely and you will hear them. After the cranes leave the Platte, the family ties are severed and the young are on their own.

Suzane said...

There are six subspecies of Sandhill Cranes of which three are migratory and three are non-migratory.Crusies Two of the non-migratory subspecies are endangered: the Mississippi and Cuban Sandhill Crane. The Florida sandhill crane is doing well. All of the migratory subspecies pass through Nebraska and their populations are thriving. The most numerous is the lesser sandhill crane which is the smallest subspecies.

Anonymous said...

The family group remains intact through the following spring, and if you look closely at the flocks in the flocks in the fields, you will easily observe these three-bird families. The young have a distinctive "peep" call so listen closely and you will hear them. After the cranes leave the Platte, the family ties are severed and the young are on their own.
Thanks
Arches National park

Anonymous said...

Best ski Resorts - Their ground nest is built from nearby vegetation scraped in a small mound. Cranes lay two eggs, although it is rare for both young cranes to survive the 10 weeks to flight stage. The family group remains intact through the following spring, and if you look closely at the flocks in the flocks in the fields, you will easily observe these three-bird families. The young have a distinctive "peep" call so listen closely and you will hear them. After the cranes leave the Platte, the family ties are severed and the young are on their own.

Anonymous said...

The family group remains intact through the following spring, and if you look closely at the flocks in the flocks in the fields, you will easily observe these three-bird families. The young have a distinctive "peep" call so listen closely and you will hear them. After the cranes leave the Platte, the family ties are severed and the young are on their own.
Travel to Europe

Anonymous said...

The Sandhill Cranes are venerated in many cultures, their stature and voices attract attention and their dancing is flashy and elegant. Cranes are long-lived birds that spend several years maturing before they reproduce. The parents invest three months teaching young colts to forage, to dance, and to fly. I hope while a Holiday in Australia i may see the rare Cranes.

Anonymous said...

The Sandhill Cranes are venerated in many cultures, their stature and voices attract attention and their dancing is flashy and elegant. Cranes are long-lived birds that spend several years maturing before they reproduce. The parents invest three months teaching young colts to forage, to dance, and to fly. I hope while a Holiday in Australia i may see the rare Cranes.