Florida Sandhill Crane
I traveled to visit my parents today, they have a lovely piece of property in the middle of nowhere, Florida. I was lamenting over the very overcast day, but decided to take the walk down to the lake with my camera anyway. And what should I find, to my surprise, a pair of Sandhill Cranes with a newly hatched little one! I was so thrilled!
Sandhill Cranes are thought to be the oldest surviving bird species in the world. The Florida Sandhill (Grus canadensis pratensis), which is one of the non-migratory species, is severely threatened due to unregulated hunting in the past, and currently due to development and loss of habitat. Sandhill Cranes are huge birds, they stand at least 4 feet tall and have a wingspan of up to 7 feet. Sandhill cranes feed on a large assortment of grasses, roots, berries, and tubers, as well as insects, crayfish, frogs, snakes, and small mammals. They often make their distinct loud rattling kar-r-r-r-o-o-o call while in flight. This species of crane mates for life.
I was so happy to see that these cranes have chosen a bit of space on my family’s property to call home
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howardtaylor
GREAT SHOT…LOOKING AT THE CHICK THEN LOOKING AT THE PARENTS….YOU JUST WONDER HOW CAN THEY BE BORN SO SMALL.
Marvin Collins
Beautiful shot, great capture. I love it!!
Deborah H. Benoit
I alwasy loved listening to these guys as they flew over when I lived in Florida. Great shot.
Dayonda
Wonderful shot. Awesome birds, too. I once saw a flock of them thru field glasses in Surprise Valley, CA, and wondered what they were. They were sandhills, I found out later. I couldn’t believe my eyes, they were so big!
Jody Johnson
I live in Southern Colorado…the Sandhills migrate through our valley in April by the thousands! You can hear them flying overhead before you even see them…it’s a spectacular site…thousands of them all nesting together! ......love the shot btw!!
Jody Johnson
Sorry, I just read the rest of your post…our Sandhills do migrate, they are a different type apparently….they have local festivals to welcome them into the valley where they rest in a local wildlife sanctuary.
Rebecca Cruz replied
Wow, what a sight that must be to see so many at once! How great! Thanks for your comment, Jody :)