Updates on the Sandhill Crane Family With the Adopted Canada Goose!

In early on May 2019, a Sandhill Crane family hatched a Canada Nothing. This came about past a Sandhill Crane pair edifice a nest and a Canada Goose taking it over long enough to lay an egg in it. The Sandhill Cranes chased off the Goose, but allowed the egg to stay. The Goose was hatched, and so their Sandhill Crane egg hatched a few days later. The Sandhill Cranes adopted the Canada Goose gosling equally one of their own. They cared for information technology along with their Sandhill Crane chick (which is called a "filly.") The National Audubon Society wrote about this astonishing family: This Sandhill Crane Couple Adopted a Infant Goose.

Selected prints of this family are available in my shop.

The Sandhill Crane family hatched the Canada Goose egg on May second. The Sandhill Crane egg hatched a few days afterwards on May 5th. The family looked later the colt and the goose, feeding them both the same diet (which was lots of worms!) The Goose added greens to his diet past eating grasses also. Over the two months they were together, the Goose and the colt would lay adjacent to each other in the grass during naps and would race each other downwards the nature trails. I discovered Goose was missing from the family on the evening of July eighth. I had seen the Goose the day before and he looked to be in good health. He was not able to wing, but his wings were developing nicely. Sadly, he was discovered passed abroad on the golf course, a identify where the family liked to hang out during the day. Cause of death is unknown. Whatever the cause, he is sorely missed. While this is non the catastrophe nosotros hoped, this family brought smiles to many and captured hearts with its unconditional dear.

The most recent photos and updates volition be at the top of this page.

Lord's day, November third, 2019

I spotted a Sandhill Crane family unit forging for food in a spot that was popular for the family that adopted the gosling. The family can be identified by the adult male having a pinkish crash-land on its outer left toe. I waited until all the bird tooties came into view, and sure enough this was the family!

Many Sandhill Cranes take already migrated south, although some practice stay through the Michigan Winters. This adult pair stayed through the Winter last year (the adult male had the pink bump on his toe fifty-fifty way back then.) Young Cranes learn the migratory route from their parents, so if the parents stay, I imagine the young Crane volition as well.

The young Crane forges for his ain food, although he still goes to Mom for food at times.

The cherry crown on his head is really starting to show!

Dad standing guard while the young Crane waits to get food from Mom.

Dad doing some feather maintenance.

The ruby crown showing through!

Following his family unit.

Sunday, August 18th, 2019

The Sandhill Crane family was resting in the woods on this Sunday morning. The red crown of the Filly is beginning to peek through!

Saturday, Baronial 17th, 2019

As I pulled into the parking lot, I saw the Sandhill Crane family walking forth paved path, poking well-nigh for worms. They of a sudden ran over to a woman sitting on a blanket. She was tossing them cake. It is not a good thought to feed these birds every bit they will become aggressive, plus cake — although quite delicious — isn't a healthy food for them.

I mentioned to her that these birds will become ambitious, to which she responded "uh oh, don't tell me that," and then quickly got upwards to motion abroad from the birds.

A few minutes later a gentleman sat downwards at a park bench and was approached by the Sandhill Cranes. He disrepair open a parcel of peanut butter crackers and put them on the bench, where they were picked up past the parents, and so fed to the Colt. Again, not a great idea. At i point the Colt grabbed the homo's hand and began nibbling at it. I wondered if I was going to see the parents assault or the Filly's spear-like beak become through his hand. Luckily neither of these things happened, and the human presently left. I can understand wanting to get close to these beautiful birds, just some people forget they are wild and can be dangerous.

The family took refuge from the heat under the shade of a tree. Grackles were flight in, which the parents ignored but the Colt looked quite interested with their comings and goings. They were even so relaxing and preening when I left them to hit the nature trails.

Watching the Grackles fly by.

Sunday, August 11th, 2019

I but saw the family for a couple of minutes as they left the nature trail and went into the woods. I haven't seen them in a couple of weeks. The colt is excavation for his own food, but still runs to his parents when they offering tasty foodstuffs.

Lord's day, July 28th, 2019

The Sandhill Crane colt is doing well, post-obit effectually his parents on the trails and golf course. I've been hoping to grab him flying again, but I've but seen him striding along with his parents. Everyone looks happy and good for you.

Getting a berry plucked from a bush from mom.

Showing off that wingspan.

Fri, July 26th, 2019

The colt is flying!

I didn't go the greatest shot of him as I wasn't expecting to see the family take off. Instead of heading to their roosting area, they flew over it and landed in the parking lot, nigh 300 feet abroad.

The Sandhill Crane parents were approaching people in the parking lot, hoping for handouts (which people are not supposed to give.) The dad saw his reflection in a car bumper, saw information technology as a rival Sandhill Crane, and went about pecking about it for a fleck while the owners of the car tried to talk him out of it.

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Flying across the pond!

Dad sees his reflection and attacks what he thinks is another Sandhill Crane.

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

I looked for the Sandhill Crane family that had adopted the Canada Goose both Saturday and Sunday, but didn't see them on the trails. I imagine they were spending the days on the golf course.

On Monday evening I stopped past the park and saw them on a nature trail, much farther down the trail than I had seen them before. They await to be increasing their range without the Goose having to keep up with them on his short footling legs.

I really miss that Goose.

I had hoped to see the colt flying, but only once did I see him use his wings as he hopped and flapped after his parents. The terminal time I saw the colt he was much more active, racing the Goose and doing much more hopping and flapping around. But it could be that the young one has been trying out the wings on the golf course during the day, and by the end of the day, he's a bit drained out.

The family unit was still on a leisurely stroll down the nature trail when I left them. It was nice to see them doing well.

Thursday, July 11th, 2019

The Goose had been missing from the family since Mon evening, so a group of photographers gained permission from the golf grade to search for him Wed night.Unfortunately, the Goose was establish passed away under a tree in the alpine grass.

The Crane family did a wonderful job raising the niggling Goose. He had a Mama that was always close by and watching over him, a Dad that would stand up guard and chase away potential threats, and a blood brother to follow around and race. While this is not the ending we hoped for, this family unit brought smiles to many and captured hearts with its unconditional love.

Monday, July eighth, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Two months

When I stopped by the park in the evening, I institute the family, but the Canada Goose was not effectually. I knew it was the right family as the Dad Crane has a xanthous bump on one of his left toes. I had never seen the family unit without the Goose. I asked around and the last time he was seen was on the golf class before that morning.

The family settled in over the night at their usual resting spot, the Goose nowhere to be seen. I stopped by early on the post-obit morning time, merely the goose was still not around.

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The Crane family settling into their resting spot for the night.

Sunday, July seventh, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Two months

The Sandhill Crane family already on the move when I arrived at six:00 am. Luckily I spotted them equally I was pulling into the parking spot. I grabbed my gear and ran over to the family. (Although I did finish forth the way to take some photos of a Dark-green Heron along the mode, he was posing quite nicely!)

While watching the family unit, a friendly Northern Cardinal landed in a nearby tree and looked to be hoping for a peanut, then I reached into my handbag and held upward a few for him. When I did this Mama Crane and the Goose came charging over, so I quickly put the food away and backed away from them. It's pretty articulate that these birds have been accustomed to people feeding them (non a expert affair, Cranes can practise some damage with their spear-like beak.)

The family walked effectually in the wood for about an 60 minutes before making a quick trip to the nature trail. There was a race down the path between the Sandhill Crane colt and the Canada Goose. The Goose stopped offset and looked to be strutting around a fleck, as if he had won the race.

When running downwards the path and flapping its wings, the colt is able to get a couple of feet off the ground. Not quite flying but getting awfully shut. The Goose looks to take some pin feathers (feathers that are nevertheless developing) and has not been able to become much clearance off the ground however.

After walking the nature trail for about ten minutes, the family headed back deep into the woods.

The young goose nibbling on grass.

The race is on!

The Goose wins. He looks to exist tooting his horn near the victory.

Th, July quaternary, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling historic period: Two months

I was one time again an early visitor to the park, arriving a trivial after 6:00 am. I found the Sandhill Crane family unit with the Sandhill Crane colt and the Canada Goose snoozing, with their parents preening nearby. At one point the Sandhill Crane colt got upwardly from his sleeping spot, walked over to the Canada Goose, and plopped himself downwards next to him. I've seen the Goose practise this, but it's the start time I've spotted the Crane with this behavior.

I left the Sandhill Crane family still sleeping, and didn't come across them again until my 2nd stop at the park later that evening. I saw them sally from the forest, cantankerous the nature trail, and walkover to a berry bush-league, where Mom and immature ones selected a few berries to dine on. Dad Crane was keeping an eye further down the trail, and eventually flew off in that direction. Another pair of Cranes likes to stay in that area, and they may accept been too shut for his liking. After a few minutes he fabricated his way back, walking down the trail.

The family walked further down the trail for a brusque chip, and so cut back into the woods where the Goose and the colt saturday downwards for a quick residue. Information technology was only a few minutes earlier the parents guided them downwards to the water and into the tall reeds, where I lost sight of them.

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The Sandhill Crane colt gets upwards from his snoozing spot to get closer to his adopted sibling.

Mom standing nearby. Dad was off to the left.

Dad goes on full alert when he hears a chipmunk giving its warning call.

The family dined on fresh berries in the evening.

Heading down the nature trail.

A brave chipmunk was darting around the sitting Goose. The Goose snapped at him when he got a fiddling too close.

Photos taken Sunday, June 30th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Virtually two months

I had been unable to find the Sandhill Crane family with the adopted goose Thursday or Friday. It has been hot and humid these last few days (temps reaching into 80F/27C), so I believed the family was deep in the woods, keeping absurd in the shade. Sabbatum morning time I was leading a birding photography workshop, and so I got to the park early on to run into if I could catch them beforehand. I had no luck at vii:00 am, nor subsequently the workshop which ended. Sunday morning I rolled out of bed at 5:30 am, and got to the park at half dozen:00 am, correct when it opened. And I establish the family unit!

They were already on the motion, poking about for breakfast. The Mom and Dad were withal feeding the young ones, with the colt poking around past himself at times and the young goose nibbling grasses. The goose was not sitting down every bit much as I've seen him practice later in the day.

At one point Dad went on full alert and stretched to his full summit, followed quickly by Mom. Both were staring at a tree. Along the side of the tree a baby raccoon was starting right back at them! The Cranes did not flare their wings or hiss, but they did guide the family abroad from the raccoon family (two other raccoons were higher in the tree.)

At around 7:00 am the Crane parents went further back into the woods, followed closely by the immature goose and the colt.

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First viewing of the family a lilliputian subsequently six:00 am.

Canada Goose with Mom.

Colt with Dad.

Babe raccoon spotted!

Heading off into the deep forest.

Photos taken Monday, June 24th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: One and a half months

The Sandhill Crane family unit was walking up and down a small portion of the nature trail, occasionally going downwards to the pond to get a drink and poke most in the mud for nutrient. The Goose did non go deeper into the water to splash around and instead stayed close to the shore. I have heard stories that when the family unit is bedding downwardly for the nighttime that he'll take 30 minutes or and then to paddle around on the pond, and so he is still getting some Goose activities in.

At ane bespeak the Goose exhibited Sandhill Crane behavior. I've seen young Sandhill Cranes run and hop along the paths flapping their wings; this is a common sight. I watched the Goose do this, running and hopping and flapping along, a perfect impression of a young Sandhill Crane.

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The young Goose running and flapping forth like a Sandhill Crane.

Grabbing mom's tail feathers.

A Blueish Jay flies by the family unit.

Photos taken Saturday, June 22nd, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling historic period: One and a one-half months

I didn't meet the Sandhill Crane family unit at one of their usual spots when I first got to the park, and so I tootled around on the trails and stopped by again a couple hours later. The angry ruckus of the Reddish-winged Blackbirds drew my attending and there was the family, emerging from the reeds effectually the pond. The Blackbirds are none likewise addicted of the Cranes as the Cranes volition eat Blackbird eggs and nestlings.

The Sandhill Crane colt and the Canada Goose settled downward for a midday nap, with the Goose staying almost his Dad. The Dad soon settled downward for a snooze himself. The filly was resting near Mom.

After fifteen minutes or so, the Goose got upwardly, waddled over to his Sandhill Crane colt brother, plopped himself downwards right side by side to him and got back to snoozing.

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Sandhill Crane colt sitting downwardly.

Resting adjacent to Dad.

The Goose waddled over to be close to his blood brother.

Photos taken Monday, June 17th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: 1 and a one-half months

There is a detail patch of long grass that the Sandhill Crane family likes to hang around in. Both the young goose and the filly were resting adjacent to each other in this patch, with the goose occasionally taking nipples of the grasses around him. Mom was nearby preening. Dad was a lilliputian ways off, closer to the pond and keeping picket. I've seen him chase off other Cranes that he constitute to exist too close to his family.

At ane point the young goose decided he was going to nipple at the filly'due south feathers. Maybe some allopreening (grooming feathers of another bird)? Or merely bugging his brother?

The young goose grabbed the neb of the filly at 1 point. The filly asked his brother to knock it off (the goose ignored that message because he did it once again a short time later.)

I left the family with the goose and the colt still sitting next to each other, with Mom nearby and Dad keeping picket.

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Mom preening.

Young goose going for yummy grass.

Preening the filly's feathers.

Got your beak!

"Will you cease that you silly goose!" - Sandhill Crane colt

Mom preening. The young ones are off the correct, subconscious in the alpine grasses.

Photos taken Sunday, June 16th, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly and Canada Goose gosling age: One and a half months

It was a chilly (mid-50F, 10C), rainy Dominicus forenoon. I hadn't seen the Sandhill Crane family unit on the golf class in a couple of weeks, merely it was the spot of choice on this twenty-four hour period.

It was raining the entire time but the family unit didn't seem to mind. I imagine finding worms was especially like shooting fish in a barrel due to the rain driving them to the surface.

The dad crane was feeding the colt, while the mom was feeding the young goose (I feel similar he's getting big enough that the term "gosling" may non fit anymore.) When both parents are feeding (as opposed to only mom feeding and dad standing baby-sit), this seems to be the common dynamic.

The family sometimes meandered shut to the road and the parents would continue full warning when a auto would drive by. As the machine passed they would go dorsum to finding nutrient for their young ones.

At one point Mom decided to cantankerous over the fence to the golf game course, flying over the contend while her immature goose ducked under. Dad presently followed by squeezing betwixt the slats of the debate. The Sandhill Crane colt with its long legs took a bit of time trying to effigy out how to get through the fence, walking dorsum and forth while his family was on the other side. He eventually went the same route that his Dad did, stepping through the heart slats. And off they went onto the golf class to spend the rest of their day.

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Dad goes on warning when a automobile drives upwardly along the road.

The Sandhill Crane colt makes his fashion through the golf game course fence to bring together his family.

Photos taken Friday, June 14th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Ane and a half months

The gosling discovered a rather large puddle and while mom and the filly were poking nigh for food around the puddle'due south border, the gosling decided to take a dip. It wasn't deep enough to paddle around in simply the gosling looked quite content.

The gosling's blackness and white feathers are really starting to show!

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The gosling taking a quick dip.

Following mom.

The gosling and the colt both sitting down and having a residuum.

Photos taken Dominicus, June 9th, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly and Canada Goose gosling age: One month

On this Dominicus morn the Sandhill Crane family decided to hang out on one of the nature trails. Information technology's one of the busiest ones at the park and gets a fair bit of traffic. The gosling sits down when he tin can (his footling goose legs must go tired), and this time he plopped downwards right at the cease of a bridge. People wanting to get past waited for a flake, only when he didn't move, they quickly scooted past him.

The gosling followed them with a few nips at the legs. He's been nipping at shoes and legs quite a bit lately, likely due to the family being fed (which people are non supposed to do.) The gosling gave my leg a few nips only information technology didn't experience bad; it was similar a gentle pinchy massage. But I imagine it's not going to feel the same every bit he gets bigger!

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The black feathers on the gosling are starting to come in.

Sandhill Crane colt waiting for dad to dig up something proficient.

Gosling sitting by the metal span. People were stopped in both directions.

"You tin can't cross the span without paying the toll!" - gosling

Photos taken Saturday, June 8th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: One month

The Sandhill Crane family is usually pretty easy to spot with the parents existence four anxiety (1.2 meters) tall. I found the parents and the colt, but the gosling was not to be plant. I was starting to become pretty worried — the snapping turtles have taken out endless young birds — but subsequently about 10 minutes (it was an intense ten minutes) I spotted the fluffy feathers of the gosling! What a relief! He was resting in the tall grass side by side to his family.

After their midday nap they took to the nature trail, where the gosling took more naps, 1 under the park bench and 1 in the eye of the trail (where people were very thoughful and went into the woods to go around him.) I believe the gosling gets tired from all the walking the family does; he needs to accept a lot of steps with those little goose legs of his! He has to have the beefiest legs of any gosling around.

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The Sandhill Crane family unit doing some grooming. At this point I hadn't seen the gosling and was worried nigh what happened to him.

There he is!

Nap time for dad.

"I don't see what my brother likes about these grasses." - Sandhill Crane colt

Having a residuum on the nature trail.

The young colt's wing. A protective sheath protects the feathers as they mature.

Resting in the middle of the nature trail.

The colt has something to say to his brother.

The gosling has something to say back.

Dad expect for us!

Photos taken Tuesday, June 4th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling historic period: I month

On this day I had a close encounter with the gosling while I was on the nature trail. A little too close in fact.

I shoot with a 200-500mm lens so I accept pretty good reach and don't need to be as well close to these birds, simply at one point the gosling decided to accuse down the nature path at me and assail my shoes! I'm pretty certain this is due to people feeding the family (which people are not supposed to exercise.) When I refused to give him any food, the gosling bit my calf! At that point I ducked behind a small tree and the gosling ran back to his mom.

The just time the Cranes and the gosling were interested in people was when they were on the nature trail. While in the woods, they were more than interesting in eating grasses and poking about for worms. I'k hoping people stop feeding them, it's making a noticeable change in the gosling's behavior.

Besides beingness chased by a cute chonk of a gosling, the rest of the evening was pretty relaxed with mom and dad feeding both of the petty ones.

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Photos taken Sun, June 2d, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: One month

Information technology was a beautiful morning to be at the park!

The gosling has been the nigh active I've seen him, running about and investigating things he finds interesting (such as tree bawl and various grasses.) He'll wander off to check out something, but when he gets likewise far from his mom, he'll come up running to her as fast as his little legs can go.

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Photos taken Friday, May 31st, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly and Canada Goose gosling historic period: One month

After piece of work I stopped by the park and saw Sandhill Crane family along the nature path, enjoying a cute Michigan evening.

Unfortunately, someone decided to toss the Cranes and the gosling some birdseed at 1 signal. The Cranes are not supposed to exist fed and his response to this was "I know, I don't care." At that place is a practiced reason for not feeding the Cranes; they tin can get quite aggressive. I've already had my photographic camera struck by the sharp bill of a hungry Sandhill Crane this yr (thank goodness it was my photographic camera and not my leg!) The adept thing that came out of this was that several people voiced business organization over his actions, showing that quite a few people care most the well-being of these amazing birds.

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A Ruby-red-winged Blackbird attacks the dad of the Sandhill Crane family unit for being too shut to a nest. The Crane didn't seem to mind also much.

Waiting for mom to get dinner.

Dad with the remainder of the family unit in the background.

Photos taken Monday, May 27th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: 3 weeks

If the beneath photos wait a little hazy, it'due south because there was quite a bit of fog during the time of the shoot. I was at the park early (7:00 am) and the fog had not burned off yet, simply the Sandhill Crane family unit was already out and about.

The gosling was nibbling on moss-covered tree trunks and dried grasses at times. The Sandhill Crane filly tried a few nibbles of grass, just didn't seem to be that into it.

The Sandhill Crane dad was keeping watch over the family while mom was digging up breakfast for the gosling and colt.

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*chomp*

The Sandhill Crane colt was nibbling on these tall grasses.

Gosling with dad.

Photos taken Sunday, May 26th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Three weeks

Early on Dominicus morning I saw the Sandhill Crane mom poking about in the ground for food, but none of the residual of the family was around. I figured they were hidden in the tall grasses of the golf grade. Suddenly the gosling popped out of the tall grasses and came charging towards his mom, going as fast every bit his little goose legs would take him. Once he made information technology to mom he seemed quite happy.

The gosling and mom strolled back onto the golf grade and joined up with dad and the colt.

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"Moooooom look for me!" - Canada Goose gosling

Crossing the contend onto the golf course.

Dad and the colt.

Photos taken Friday, May 24th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Three weeks

Fri evening I stopped by the park to check in on the Sandhill Crane family unit.

I didn't seem them at first in the park, and then I took some time tootling around on the trails. Subsequently a couple of hours I saw the family unit arrive at the h2o's edge of a small swimming.

The parents guided the Sandhill Crane colt and gosling beyond the pond, which the Red-winged Blackbirds did not like at all. The Blackbirds have nests in the reeds, and they will fiercely defend them. Their attacks did not deter the family from crossing the pond, and no nests were harmed in the crossing.

The family then took some time to poke about for foodstuffs for the little ones and to stroll upwards and down the nature trail.

"Hi Dad!" - Gosling

Ruddy-winged Blackbirds assault the Sandhill Crane dad for getting besides close to their nests in the reeds.

Mom and the colt watching the agitated Ruby-winged Blackbirds.

Weeeeee

Someone's been having a proficient fourth dimension in the water!

Those Sandhill Crane filly legs are getting long!

Photos taken Tuesday, May 21st, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt and Canada Goose gosling age: Two weeks

I was at the park much later than normal, only I did stop by to check on the family unit and took a photo. Gosling and filly were snuggled up to mom and settled in for the dark.

Photos taken Mon, May 20th, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly and Canada Goose gosling historic period: Two weeks

As I was driving along by the golf form to the parking lot, I saw the Sandhill Crane family along the debate on the golf course. I parked, grabbed my camera and sprinted up the colina to where they were, slowing down earlier close to them.

They were on the motion, walking quickly and then deciding to cross the road. Myself and another person were around to check for traffic, and then stood in the route while they crossed.

About fifteen minutes later, mom pb them to the nest. The gosling stayed every close to mom while she walked through the water. He was so close he accidentally got kicked a few times by mom! Poor little guy. He was okay.

Once near the nest, the gosling took a few dips in the water, climbed up onto the nest, and then shook himself dry.

They were settling downwardly for the dark early, merely I wonder if the colder atmospheric condition (effectually 50F / 10C) had something to practice with it.

Before settling down into the nest the gosling decided he was going to attack this reed.

Shaking off the water.

Photos taken Sunday, May 19th, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly and Canada Goose gosling historic period: Two weeks

Photographers have been banned from the golf course where the Cranes similar to hang out during the day. Which makes sense because 1) photographers might beaned by golf balls (for the tape I am totally willing to habiliment a helmet, armor, etc.) ii) golfers want to play golf (which is off-white enough!)

I met a wonderful birder while walking up to the fence of the golf course where the Sandhill Cranes were hanging out. We could run across the parents off in the distance, merely they were standing in alpine grass and then that nosotros couldn't see the little ones. E'er since the appearance of snapping turtles I have looking to make sure both the filly and the gosling were around.

After about ten minutes, Mom walked into the shorter grass with the gosling (yay!) The gosling seems to be standing up tall, maybe taking later his brother and parents. A short while later, Dad walked into the shorter grass with the colt (double yay!)

They walked farther away, downward a hill were we couldn't run across them, but at least we saw them for a short fleck.

Non great pictures for this twenty-four hours, but it was not bad to meet them!

Photos taken Friday, May 17th, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly age: Twelve days
Canada Goose gosling historic period: 2 weeks

I got to the park simply in time; the mom was leading her gosling and colt through the h2o to their nest a few minutes after I got in that location. Again the gosling was having a ball in the water, splish splashing around.

The gosling and the colt spent nearly an hour climbing over mom and getting comfortable. At i indicate the gosling took a quick dip and went paddling around the swimming all by himself. The look the Sandhill Crane mom gave him when he got back made it look like he was in trouble!

The gosling is following mom to the nest, the filly is off to the left.

Getting comfortable.

Gosling taking a quick paddle around the pond.

Looks like someone might in problem with mom! He snuggled right up to her and all was well.

Photos taken Thursday, May 16th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt historic period: Eleven days
Canada Goose gosling age: Two weeks

I popped by the park later in the evening to see the Sandhill Crane family. It was right after conditioning form so I'm sure I looked and smelled great. Just no fourth dimension for a shower, in that location were birds to come across! I watched Mom lead the colt and the gosling through the shallow water to their nest. One time to the nest the colt immediately climbed on top of mom to snuggle down into her wings to get nice and comfy, while the gosling stretched for a chip before joining his blood brother.

The gosling swam hands afterward mom, while the Sandhill Crane colt floated and paddled its long legs to follow.

Fabricated it to the nest!

Canada Goose gosling standing alpine.

Photos taken May 14th, 2019

Sandhill Crane filly historic period: Nine days
Canada Goose gosling age: Thirteen days

There was some scary news earlier this week. Every bit the Sandhill Crane family unit was settling down into their nest on the h2o Tuesday night, it was noticed that two giant snapping turtles were in the area. These turtles accept been known to eat numerous cygnets (baby swans.) One of the Cranes flared out its wings to look as menacing equally possible to the huge turtles to get them to back off. No one knew what happened to the family overnight.

I was awfully worried to see what I would find come Midweek. When I got to the park it was a such a relief to run into the orange fuzzy colt tootling around, followed past his gosling brother! Both babies made it through the night! I observed mom keeping spotter and walking around with them, feeding them worms. Dad showed upward later, flying in from a brusk distance abroad.

The Sandhill Crane family decided to cantankerous the street to another pond at 1 point. They were near the crosswalk (smart birds!) but I took a few steps into the crosswalk to aid finish traffic for this family.

They made information technology safely across and waded into a tiny pond, but the Red-winged Blackbirds were not happy nigh that. These birds will attack Cranes if they go too close to their nest. I tin can't blame them; the Cranes will swallow their eggs and nestlings if given the opportunity. The male person Blackbirds were sniping at the Cranes' tail feathers, and I even saw a female person Blackbird dive flop the Cranes. They must've been actually close to a nest! The Blackbirds simply attacked the parents, the colt and gosling weren't given any attention.

At this tiny pond the gosling looked very happy, paddling effectually in a tiny circle and dipping underwater. The colt dunked himself into the water as well for a quick bath. Both chicks stayed very shut to the shore and to their parents.

I left the family unit shortly thereafter to wait for warblers. I didn't meet many of those birds, but I was very happy to have seen this family!

Mom and his gosling brother were walking down the path without him, and so this Sandhill Crane chick started peeping to let them know they were going too fast.

"Nosotros're coming Mom!"

The gosling was running a picayune also fast and took a quick tumble to the ground. Luckily it's not too far to autumn for the footling guy.

The Red-winged Blackbirds were none too happy with the Cranes and were swoop bombing them. The Cranes must've been close to a Blackbird nest.

The Sandhill Crane took a quick dip in the pond with his brother.

The gosling was really enjoying the water!

Photos taken May 12th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt historic period: Vii days
Canada Goose gosling age: Eleven days

The Sandhill Crane family was on the golf course. The colt is already getting some superlative on the gosling. At one betoken the young ones had a race; the filly took off running, followed by the gosling waddling behind him with his tiny wings out, going equally fast as he could go.

The race betwixt the Sandhill Crane colt and the Canada Goose gosling was on! The Sandhill Crane was in the early on lead, merely the gosling overtook his brother past waddling equally fast as he could. The gosling stretches out his tiny wings in victory!

Photos taken May 10th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt age: Five days
Canada Goose gosling historic period: Nine days

Photos taken May 8th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt age: Three days
Canada Goose gosling historic period: Seven days

The Sandhill Crane is hanging out on a golf course with its short and groomed grasses, poking into the footing with their long beaks. The colt is more active and the gosling is being fed and is eating worms. The gosling seemed to go tuckered out at times from all the walking and would sit to rest.

This bug was too much for the colt to eat and he dropped it.

Photos taken May 7th, 2019

Sandhill Crane colt age: Two days
Canada Goose gosling age: Vi days

This was the get-go time I saw the family! The colt was withal learning how to utilise his legs and took a topple a few times. The gosling was much more agile, getting worms from the parents and feeding on grasses. The colt was a little slower getting around and did not seem to be getting every bit much attention from the parents. I also saw the parents giving minor sticks to the colt, which the filly did not eat.