When I was in college I went to visit my grandparents in Florida (they are snow birds) for my school’s J-term. While there I saw their resident pair of Sandhill Cranes. The birds are relatively rare so imagine my surprise when last year a pair showed up at the farm.

They are back this year–with a baby. They are often around in the early mornings, especially on the weekends when there is not a whole lot of activity going on. This Sunday I saw them in the caretakers garden.

The baby and other parent were in among the corn. Unfortunately it looks like there is something wrong with one of the baby’s wings, as it doesn’t seem to fold right across it’s back. I am hoping it will resolve itself and haven’t pointed it out to the children who enjoy looking for the cranes whenever them come.

Two likes to sneak up for a closer look. But being a momma myself I know this year that baby could change things a bit with our birds. One day Avril and Two got probably within 15 feet of them before they noticed. I was keeping an eye on them. Good thing I was because while the mom and baby ran one direction the father lowered his head and circled around in the flanking motion. I warned them and they were able to escape without harm. Now we look from a safer distance.