Lookin' Out My Back Door

I'm reminded of the tune composed, recorded and produced by John Fogerty almost fifty years ago.  However, there are no tambourines and elephants nor any wond'rous apparitions provided by magicians.  I've got wildlife.  And when you're retired - between unpacking and organizing your stuff - you keep the binoculars handy for whatever walks, flies, crawls or slithers by.

Meet Antigone canadensis - the Sandhill Crane. 

A very large, tall, stork-like bird characterized by a long neck, long legs, and very broad wings. The body tapers into short tail and is covered by drooping feathers that form a bustle.  The head is small and the bill is straight and longer than the head.   

Sandhills prefer to live in open habitats.  For years we’ve had a nesting pair that arrives in early spring while the snow is still on the ground and before ice-out. 

They hang-out in the grassland behind the house by the big pond a couple of hundred yards away.  If you are a lucky observer their courtship dance is a hoot to observe.  They’ll raise one or two young - called colts - and by autumn to late fall they begin to congregate in very large flocks before flying-off to their wintering grounds in Texas, New Mexico, Florida and Mexico.  They raise a racket and their bugling calls can be heard from miles away.  

I've been observing them daily as I'm living here at The Platz full-time.  It really is sort of cool to have cranes living in your own backyard.  I should add that we've also a pair of mallards that have taken-up residence in the same pond.

That's better than cool.  I feel blessed.....