Friday, October 24, 2008

Sandhill Cranes



Camera Critters

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Driving the back roads of Wisconsin we stumbled upon some baby turkeys following mom across the road. They quickly disappeared in the brush, but they’re so cute. I hope they survive Thanksgiving dinner.


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But a short way down the road it was my delight to come upon about 20 Sandhill Cranes in a field.


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They still mystify me as much as they did the first time I saw one.


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Have you ever heard their calls? They are very distinct and different than any other bird I’ve ever heard.


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When I hear them (usually flying overhead) I feel I am back in the day when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. I found some calls online if you’re interested in hearing them, but they sound much louder and mysterious when you are out in the woods.


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We’ll miss them over the winter but look forward to their return next spring. Hopefully, I will finally be able to capture a baby then.


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32 comments:

  1. Well I think they are really cute. They kind of look like turkey's without the long beak. Great shots of the animals. The sky was perfect as well.

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  2. I finally saw my first live on at Yellowstone. What a beautiful bird

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  3. Okay, it is late and I'm losing my mind. What I meant to was the day looked perfect. Meaning the sunlight in the grass. Now, that should make a little more sense. I'm going to bed now.

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  4. When I looked at the first picture, my first thought was....hmmmm...they look like turkeys! LOL I listened to the calls......they are very unique! Love the pics of the cranes too. I could not believe how many wild turkeys we had roaming around the cottage this year. Seriously, they would be running in and out of my yard with all the little babies following in a row....driving Chloe absolutely C R A Z Y!! Sometimes, there'd be like 50 out in the field! It was amazing!!

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  5. Awww I love the turkeys they are way cute!

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  6. The sandhills look different than the ones we have in Florida, ours have alot more gray on the body.
    And I LOVE the turkey shot, PERFECT!

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  7. We see sandhill cranes a lot in Florida over the winter...I'm not sure if their bodies look different as Dani said, but their heads/crowns are the same for sure. I'll pay attention now...

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  8. Hi!
    Your photos are awesome!! I have never seen one of these beautiful birds or heard them, only on T.V. I think I am missing something beautiful! Take Care!!

    Sherrie

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  9. like so many of the other commenters, my first thougt was, these look like turkeys until i scrolled down. lol love all the shots....i love bird watching period. these are great.

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  10. Ooh, how cool. Sandhill cranes are high on my list of Want to See. Thomas saw some last winter when he was driving to Florida, but I wasn't with him.

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  11. Those cranes are really pretty. I'm seeing from the other posts that people see them in Florida. They must go farther south because I don't think I've ever seen any here in the panhandle. I love their coloring.
    When your blog first started to load I thought Wow those cranes really look like turkeys LOL They're really cute but not cute enough for me not to enjoy them on Thanksgiving!

    I've got something for you over on my blog so stop by and grabit if you'd like!

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  12. My best friend and sister keep talking about Sand Hill Cranes when they travel … but never send photos, so it’s nifty to see first-hand what they’re talking about. Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  13. What wonderful pictures! We see these birds on a regular basis, but they never cease to amaze me. I haven't stopped and taken any pictures, though. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. about 20 in my yard daily sandy

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  15. Great captures....I think I have seen sandhill cranes one time. I had never seen them before but it was all I could figure the birds to be. I was not this close to them, though.

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  16. Oh I love cranes! We have tons around us here and I ALWAYS think of teradactals (sp) or something prehistoric when I see them flying overhead!

    Cute little turkeys too. Poor little guys.

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  17. Hi! That is an interesting crane. They are beautiful. I hope you are able to photograph a baby next year.

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  18. Wonderful shots - thanks for sharing.

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  19. You always take such great looking shots! This is a wonderful series.

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  20. they travel through (migration) north of here several hours -- and I've never gotten up there to see

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  21. These are really pretty birds, hate to have them for dinner

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  22. Those turkey babies are so cute! But all are great shots!

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  23. I hope they see December, too! So graceful and elegant. Crane-like!

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  24. These are some great photos! very nice!

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  25. Your turkey chicks remind me a lot of my guinea fowl chicks! :-)
    Great photos - as always!

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  26. I think I have never seen such a bird ! The pictures are beautiful !

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  27. Thanks for that link, Lisa, now I know what they sound like too! I don't think I've ever seen one, not even at the zoo!
    I keep saying it, you're so lucky to live on such a gorgeous corner of Mother Earth!

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  28. Geez...how do you DO it? You even make turkeys' look adorable! Guess the deli meat I got is now going to the dogs...literally!

    Nancy

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  29. Am I wrong for seeing the turkeys and thinking, "Umm. Only a month & that drumstick is mine?"

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  30. Great! Interesting that they look much more "rusty" in color then the guys we see around here!
    Cheers, Klaus

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  31. Twenty? I'm not sure I've ever seen one, but I've never seen more than 3 of any tall-type bird in one place before unless they were in captivity. How exciting!

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