New Returns

 

The first shot is of of a Tundra Swan. There were lots more present in the fields today.

This is a Sandhill Crane, the first that I have seen this year. They are a stately bird. Unfortunately I couldn't get closer.

Yet another Tundra Swan!

A flock of Mallards was just leaving a field pond. If you bigify the photo you will see some Pintail Ducks include with the Mallards.

This is another newcomer for the year, a seagull.

Can you find the Pintail Duck?

That's all for now. It may be a few days before I can get out again.

 

Watching the Sandhill Cranes

Daphne and I went for a small walk today while waiting for the Boss to be done with a meeting. The small walk turned into a sit down at the edge of a field to watch a Sandhill Crane perform. I didn't see the female. I'm assuming she was in the bushes at the edge of the field. Daphne was off leash, and I just told her to come and sit, and she did while I took a few photos (about 60). I won't bore you will all of them!

 They have an enormous wingspan!

I'm not sure what is with the lumps on the head. If he was a bear, I could see him popping his cheeks to show annoyance.

 Here is a view of the knobs. Cranes don't grow horns, so that can't be it.

 So long, adieu, until we meet again!

Sandhill Cranes

I got lucky today with a couple of Sandhill Cranes coming in close to where I was. Things were calm for a bit.

It was very calm, with some heavy feeding going on.

Then one of the birds started getting a little amorous. She was not having any of it and kept moving off. "I've got a headache" 

He kept it up for a while.

Then, everything returned to normal, whatever that is in Crane land.

An Hour With the Sandhill Cranes

For those of you that have never seen these birds, they are massive, with a wing span of 80 inches or 2 meters. The length is about 4 feet.

I think they are getting close to nesting time as there were quite a few squabbles going on.

Who started it is hard to say. One minute they are peaceful and the next the feathers are flying!

 And flying

And flying

Nobody seemed to get hurt, although a few feathers were ruffled (pun intended).

 All in all quite an elegant bird!

Another walk-about

It was a nice, sunny afternoon and I went looking for some well composted horse manure for the new raised gardens in the back yard. Of course, I took the camera and found a field where the Sandhill Cranes have been hanging out for a while. Thank goodness for a long lens as they were pretty spooky. 

 They have a tremendous wingspan although you wouldn't know it when they are standing.

 The pond next to the field had a few mallards in it.

 Last years cat tails look pretty grubby after a winter.

 There were a couple of Red Tailed hawks soaring overhead. Hard to track with a long lens!

Tomorrow, i will go for coffee with the guys and then head out to get two loads of manure (unless it's raining)!