One of the best things about our home is the view out over the hay fields and wetlands, and today we had a special treat. A mated pair of Sandhill cranes were browsing in the meadow, feeding side by side.
We hear their distinctive trilling call and run to find them in the sky! Hear their call here.
The Sandhill Crane (Grus or Antigone canadensis) is the most numerous species of crane in the world, and until just recently was becoming endangered. They have made a comeback in recent years.
Within the last few decades, Sandhill Cranes have greatly expanded their nesting range and numbers in the upper Midwest, a population that migrates southeastward toward Florida for the winter.
And our farm is right in that flyway.
Their Behavior and Habitat
Migratory populations have broad breeding, migratory, and wintering ranges throughout North America that extend into Siberia, Russia.
Sandhills breed and forage in open prairies, grasslands, and wetlands. Outside of the breeding season, they often roost in deeper water of ponds or lakes, where they are safe from predators.
Sandhill Cranes forage for grains and invertebrates (grubs, worms and snails, etc. without a backbone).
With the birds being maybe 1000′ away, my son grabbed his camera and took off outside.
We grabbed the handy Audubon reference to make sure our guess of Sandhill crane was correct, and it was.
Our binoculars showed a red forehead above the beak, a white cheek, and magnificent height.
Their bedraggled appearance verified they were in migration. Some pass through each year from as far away as Cuba heading to breeding grounds as far north as Siberia and Alaska.
Sandhill Crane Migration
There are six migratory populations of Sandhill Crane.
We claim the Eastern Population (EP) which traditionally breeds primarily throughout the Great Lakes region and winters in Florida and parts of southern Georgia. During both spring and autumn migration, EP cranes stage throughout the east-central United States including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama, and, to the north, along the north shore of Lake Huron, Ontario, including Manitoulin and St. Joseph Islands.
The Eastern Population has been expanding in population size and breeding range since 2010. (source)
Our son spent a long while watching them feed from far enough off that he wouldn’t scare them (camera in hand), but soon they decided to go visit the wetlands near the neighbor’s lake and we watched them settle back down for another leisurely meal.
It may seem silly to some to get so excited about birds.
They, along with the great blue heron, have been making a strong comeback in our area in the last few years, and we have been cheering them on.
It is wonderful to see the resilience our Lord has placed in His Creation. He won’t allow the earth to be destroyed (despite the fall and the sin nature of man) until it is His time to do so. (Rev. 1:7)
Sandhill cranes migrate by following known paths taught them by their parents or substitutes. The couples mate for life. Migrating birds know when and where to go and when to return. When God created them, He put that information in them.
“Yea, the stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.” ~Jeremiah 8:7, KJV
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Thanks for reading!
Lee says
I am glad you had some of our long legged birds rest awhile at your place. Lord Bless
Jacqueline says
Thank you, Lee, for helping me to get that wonderful perspective of how the Lord instilled their routes of migration by design, taught by the parents! Magnificent stuff!
Susie Shock says
We happen to live five minutes from the Sandhill Crane Observatory. They get 10,000s of cranes every fall and spring and we like to go watch them do their dances! In fact, because we are so close, our hay field can get up to 50 of these magnificent birds, just hanging around, dancing and eating!
Jacqueline says
That is a wonderful perk of living there, I think! I am absolutely nuts about any kind of bird. When we transitioned the farm to organic, we saw the bird populations go up, up, up.~ the bobolinks, the buntings and orioles along the creeks. Also the flickers and hummers increased. God’s creatures are just awesome…but not as great as the Creator Himself!
Breezy says
How exiting! I’ve don’t think we’ve ever seen Sandhill cranes before; they look magnificent! Over the past week we’ve had a few blue birds pass through. What fascinating things the changing season (or rather, our Creator) brings our way. : )
Melissa says
What beautiful pictures! We have many Sandhill Cranes living near us. Often in spring their calls are the first thing I hear in the morning. I have never been able to get pictures as good as yours though!
Jacqueline says
Melissa,
I didn’t think of the connection between your location and the Sandhill Crane Observatory…are you close by? Our son’s camera is much better than my S8100 Cool Pik…wish I had his lens 🙂 Please give your sweet mama a big hug from me, OK?
Racheal says
I love Sandhill Cranes! They have such an awesome call. We had a couple down here (in the South) in our front yard dancing just last week…
Jacqueline says
I would love to see ‘the dance’ or hear ‘the call’! If I ever do, it will bless my heart! I’ve watched videos of the courtship dance but never in person.
Adriana says
Gostei muito desse site!
I really enjoy your blog!
Naomi says
God’s didn’t miss a beat with cranes. Beautiful! We have a crane celebration in November that I love to attend because I photograph some beautiful birds. Thank you for sharing Jacqueline.
Clint Baker says
They aren’t storks are they? lol
http://theredeemedgardener.blogspot.com/2012/02/jethro-bodine-gardener.html
Adriana says
What magnificent birds these are! Many thanks for this share!
pam says
Hi,
We are a homeschooling family living outside Doniphan, Ne near the Platte. I have cranes outside my window right now. We live in a prime Crane Viewing area and crane watchers come from all over. We have to be careful this time of year because the cars will suddenly stop right on the road to view the cranes. You have a lovely blog. I just found you from Raising Homemakers. I am going to make your homemade mayo. I have been looking for healthy cost-effective mayo, and I can’t find any. Thanks.
Jacqueline says
Welcome, Pam,
I have been reading about the Platte and the crane habitat. it is such a magnificent area and the huge numbers of bird must be an awesome sight to behold. I am glad to share the mayo recipe…we have found that almost everyone loves it. Many blessings to you and your household in Jesus!
Lori says
I know this is off topic of your post but I was just wondering how the maca is working for you? I have been taking it for the past month or so and I think it is working!;)
Jacqueline says
Hi, Lori! Good to hear from you! I am not taking it yet, but it was from you that I first heard about it! I am ordering some soon and will let you know! I DO hope it works! Thanks for asking 🙂
Lori says
That is funny! I thought it was from you that I heard about it!