Sandhill Crane Above Flying Hat, March 14, 2010 (click to enlarge)
I’m sitting with Brenda out on the back porch thirty minutes ago and I hear the tuk-tuk of the Sandhill Crane. I get the binoculars and camera, but I cannot see them in the sky. The second flock comes by within five minutes and I snap the pictures above.
The Sandhill are flying fast with a east-southeast wind at their tails. I estimate their ground speed may be 75-100 m.p.h. I have to work fast.
I took pictures of a third large flock and then three stragglers (teenagers, most likely, sleeping late) soaring fast. See the two pictures below.
Second Flock Sandhill Crane Above Flying Hat, March 14, 2010 (click to enlarge)
Three Sandhill Crane Above Flying Hat, March 14, 2010 (click to enlarge)
Sage to Meadow 