Sandhill Crane Colt

From my June 1, 2013 nature journal...

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 28110339 - Sandhill Crane; Exner Marsh Nature Preserve, Illinois. June 1, 2013.

While visiting my family in Illinois, I made a springtime trip to the Exner Marsh Nature Preserve in McHenry County. This small natural area couched in a landscape of subdivisions is actually a great place for for some birding and wildlife photography.

I followed the trails and paths around the cattail lined ponds. The typical Red-winged Blackbirds flitterd between the reeds and filled the air with their distinctive calls. But in the woods along the marsh edges I got my first closeup view of a large Sandhill Crane. I’ve seen Antigone canadensis from a distance, but close up view of this giant bird is quite impressive.

As I crept closer for better photos, I could see the crane had me in its sights, but yet it wasn’t making a quick exit. And I soon found why it wasn't flying off: her awkwardly long-legged colt was not far behind her. Cranes usually lay two eggs in the spring and often only one chick survives. For the first three to four weeks, the chicks sleep under the mother's wings until they grow to be colts. They beging to forage on their own and practice flight. By the end of summer they are ready to migrate with their parents.

After seeing her baby, I didn’t push too close. I didn’t want to stress either of them out. This gangly, long-legged juvenile might struggle if forced into water that was too deep.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 28110338 - Eastern Chipmunk; Exner Marsh Nature Preserve, Illinois. June 1, 2013.

© Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 28110340 - Mute Swan; Exner Marsh Nature Preserve, Illinois. June 1, 2013.

Julkaistu kesäkuu 1, 2022 07:24 IP. käyttäjältä williamwisephoto