Spring Visitor
By Greenthumb
- 11 Jun, 2012
- 10 likes
This beauty, a sandhill crane, and often another, a mating pair that seemed to enjoy many spring days standing at the front door or roaming the garden, mainly digging through the straw for barley seed. I've welcomed them though they are big clumsy things and really can make a mess. Still too thrilling not to enjoy.
Comments on this photo
He is a beauty.
11 Jun, 2012
It's a lovely looking bird! Do you put out any Barley seed for them to forage?
11 Jun, 2012
Thank you for the comments. They are big, much bigger than I thought, more like little emu. They see something interesting and stab at it with that long beak and give a yank. I've seen one tumble right over when whatever came right up, stumbling across the grass......lol. They also dance, open wings and jump, then bob their head way down low....
The barley seed is from my straw mulch. They love it. The neighbors have not had cranes before. Next year they came clear up the sprouts and I'll just rake and plant afterwards. :-)
11 Jun, 2012
That is amazing, Gt! You are very lucky. We often see cranes in flight here, and perched like statues on one leg in the marshy spots eating frogs and minnows. Some of the cranes/herons here like to clean out garden ponds of expensive koi. But yours come to entertain and assist in your garden...you lucky person!
12 Jun, 2012
How wonderful to have such lovely creatures in your garden.
12 Jun, 2012
I feel lucky. They have enjoyed the frog pond stock I believe, as well as my seeds. Oh, and Lori, you reminded me of one of the things that are just shocking about them talking about their flight.
I'm silently puttering away out in the garden then an itch on my neck, a darkness in the peripheral vision and then two 8ft wingspans shadowing me as they drop in overhead just feet above before seeing me and veering away to the neighboring yard. Headed straight for my doorstep! I almost die of the shock every time. They are a real wonder, big enough this close up that the garden turns to safari.
I do love them Valadel, thank you . :-) George and Henrietta.
13 Jun, 2012
Oh! What a great experience, J. That primal itch on the back of the neck! lol... Sometimes a wild creature just picks us out for special treatment and it's a treasure of an experience.
13 Jun, 2012
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Yes...I imagine they would be fun.
11 Jun, 2012