Throwback Sunday - One of Our Favorite Signs of Spring
Throwback Sunday ...
Seeing this photo reminds me of a national geographic moment we'll never forget.
When we lived on the acreage one of my most favorite signs of spring was the return of the sandhill cranes. We would be outside either tending to the spring yardwork, or relaxing on the deck with a beverage when we would hear that first distant rattly call from a returning male sandhill crane. Because we lived on the edge of the coulee that was just above one of the areas we would often see them, their calls would echo throughout the coulee. It was so awesome to hear!!!
This particular year we heard a male arrive and call all day long in attempts to guide his lifetime mate in. The very next day we heard her arrive and the calling between the two was deafening as it echoed throughout the coulee. We instantly grabbed our cameras and jumped in the truck and drove down to the wetlands in the coulee in hopes to catch a glimpse of them.
Much to our delight there they were on the far side of the wetlands, quite aways from the road. But thank goodness for Stan's long lens he was able to capture some awesome images. But much to our surprise, the male sandhill crane suddenly started leaping into the air! With outstretched wings, he leaped into the air numerous times, thrusting his chest at his mate, bobbing his head, and bowing to her. I remember we both just looked at one another and thought what did we just see?! We knew it was unique and after getting home and looking it up, we then realized we had just witnessed the amazing mating dance of the sandhill cranes! Truly an experience we will long remember, and have never seen it again since. Nature truly is amazing!
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