Continuing this week's 'closer to home' theme because it's still pretty rainy out and we've had a lot to do right here (fun stuff and chores both). We were so happy to see Sandhill Cranes up close on our Palm Beach trip last month. But then, a couple of weeks ago, these big old birds started to show up right here at Upriver. This is their first year here, at least since we've been spending our winters.
The Sandhills are often seen in groups of three. I think they are a family group, with the darker one being the juvenile. I like this group photo, with the young one on the right showing off those long legs, so elegantly crossed at the knee.
Upriver has a 9-hole non-regulation golf course (I don't exactly know what that means, but I'm sure if anyone is a golfer they will). That's where the cranes are hanging out.
I'm hoping that the golfers shoo them away before they take their shots. Either that or that the cranes understand the word "Fore".
These are the first Sandhills we've seen this close to home, but I've taken pictures of them other places here in Florida, as well as in Alaska, Texas and Utah and (especially memorably) in New Mexico when we were full-time RVing.
So I know I've blogged several crane pictures already and have even more in the archives. But the picture below, taken last Friday, may well be my all-time favorite.
Just a minute after I took the picture, Mom turned her back in disgust and walked away while Junior continued to rant, probably begging for food. I'm thinking it's probably about time for him to learn to get along on his own.
SHARING this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (thanks to Stewart), with GOOD FENCES (thank you to Teresa), and with RATHER B' BIRDING (thank you to Anni).
We were in Sandhill Crane habitat at the Consumnes. I heard but didn't see them so I appreciate your images.
Posted by: Martha Z | February 01, 2016 at 08:29 PM
Great photos and love the last one too. Shows some serious attitude! They know right where the best grass is, on the golf course.
Posted by: Kelsey | January 25, 2016 at 07:42 PM
That last shot is wonderful!
Posted by: Lady Fi | January 25, 2016 at 09:54 AM
beautiful images. :)
Hopefully I will be able to see a few next week. I´m going to Japan and we will probably see them. If we can find them among all other cranes. They say there might be three different species at the location. And a huge no of birds wintering.
Posted by: NatureFootstep | January 17, 2016 at 02:42 PM
These are great! Love that last shot.
Posted by: Eden Hills | January 17, 2016 at 07:30 AM
Though a mile long, the boardwalk seems to be endless.
Posted by: Rainfield61.blogspot.com | January 16, 2016 at 09:12 PM
Great to see them so close.
Posted by: Christian | January 16, 2016 at 01:17 PM
Incredible!!! The 'display' images just make me so envious!
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | January 16, 2016 at 12:04 PM
cranes on the golf course, that's funny
Posted by: Felicia | January 15, 2016 at 07:07 PM
Beautiful pics and the last one is spectacular, time for that dude to shape up or get out.
Most golfers I know are not really eco friendly. The world is their toilet seems to be their attitude.
Posted by: Yogi | January 14, 2016 at 07:23 PM
Life with the Sandhills - lovely, and not much different from home.....
Posted by: Hildred Finch | January 14, 2016 at 06:22 PM
Oh great birds!... Yes I did see the Google bit about monarchs.... Thank you
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | January 14, 2016 at 03:45 PM
Is the poop an issue?! Our Canada Geese are terrible for this up here!
Posted by: JennJilks | January 14, 2016 at 03:43 PM
Neat birds, cool shots!
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | January 14, 2016 at 11:13 AM
I don't play golf but if I did and those cranes showed up I would have to abandon the game and go get my camera. The whole of the crane family are just fabulous, even mythical creatures. We have the Common Crane in the UK which breeds so scarcely that its whereabouts are not advertised.
Your photos are great Sallie.
Posted by: Phil | January 14, 2016 at 03:05 AM
Great photos of fantastic big birds. I would love to see them! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mick | January 13, 2016 at 07:26 PM
Wonderful shots of the Sandhills!
Posted by: Marie-AZ | January 13, 2016 at 04:20 PM
I remember seeing the Sandhill Cranes the last time I was in Florida. So exciting to see them for the first time. Love your photos.
Posted by: DeniseinVA | January 13, 2016 at 09:59 AM
That last shot is fantastic!
Posted by: Mama Zen | January 13, 2016 at 09:53 AM
Funny birds! I saw a pair on a golf course in Florida recently. They can make a lot of noise.
Posted by: Halcyon | January 13, 2016 at 09:28 AM
Nice to see them so close to home.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 13, 2016 at 08:33 AM
For some strange reason I thought sandhill cranes were only found in the sandhills of the Dakotas and Nebraska. So, I learned something today. Hurrah. Aren't they pretty. We don't have any where I am.
Posted by: Latane Barton | January 13, 2016 at 08:23 AM
I love the Sandhill Cranes and we get a pair that live close to us every summer. Sadly, we rarely get to see a full grown juvenile because the coyote's are rampant in our area. But this is a wonderful set of pictures and yes, junior will food bed until Dad kicks him out ... one of the many things they have in common with mankind, Ha!
Andrea @ From The Sol
Posted by: Andrea @ From The Sol | January 13, 2016 at 06:46 AM
They are beautiful cranes.
Posted by: nancy chan | January 13, 2016 at 04:18 AM
Beautiful birds are those Sandhill Cranes. Thank you for sharing!
Wil, A BCWTeam
Posted by: Wil | January 13, 2016 at 03:52 AM
What a strange looking bird, at least to me, I think I have never seen such a bird !
Posted by: Gattina | January 13, 2016 at 02:36 AM
We have sand hill cranes on our golf courses here. I just aim right at them thus knowing I won't come close to hitting one of them.
It's really cold here. 31 degrees tonight. Hate that! But it's supposed to warm up by Thursday AM to 41 degrees and I hope so as I have a golf date! :)
Posted by: Lowell | January 12, 2016 at 06:34 PM
LOVE these birds, great photos of the family action!
Posted by: Sondra-SC | January 12, 2016 at 04:41 PM
I see them every time I visit my daughter and grandkids in Orlando. They are everywhere, in their yard, in the street, in the parking lots, even on the kids playgrounds at school. There are two that hang out by the sidewalk my grandson uses to walk to school and he has named them Bob and Philomena. He likes to text me pictures of them on his way to school!
Posted by: Lois | January 12, 2016 at 04:22 PM
Stately creatures.
Love the last expressive shot.
Posted by: Gayle atMuldoon | January 12, 2016 at 02:50 PM
What great birds - funny to think of them on a golf course. Hope nobody gets their ball stuck in a sand(hill) trap!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | January 12, 2016 at 02:06 PM
It's my favorite also! Just love it.
The Sandhill Cranes are here in the 1,000's this year. I don't know why. And they keep coming. I guess our fields are perfect for them.
Linda
Posted by: Linda | January 12, 2016 at 12:12 PM
I am green with envy of your very last photo. My crane photos always remind me of the pink plastic flamingo yard art! Still and inanimate. Fantastic Sandhills Sallie.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | January 12, 2016 at 11:36 AM
they're so cool! interactive lawn ornaments! (they always remind me of the crane statues folks place in their zen gardens).
Posted by: TexWisGirl | January 12, 2016 at 10:39 AM
Sallie, you can never post enough Sandhill Cranes. These are wonderful, and a remainder that teenagers can be trying, whatever the species. :) Love that last one.
Posted by: Penny | January 12, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Cool shots of the cranes, especially the last one. 9 holes just means it's not a full golf course. A full one would have 18 holes to play. My husband sees cranes out on the courses pretty regular in Florida. I keep saying I'm going to go with him just to take pictures.
Posted by: dinajohnston | January 12, 2016 at 09:42 AM
Lovely series of shots of the Sandhill Cranes
Posted by: Margaret Birding For Pleasure | January 12, 2016 at 09:36 AM
Hello Sallie, awesome shots of the Cranes. They are a cool sighting. I like the last shot with junior begging. Happy Tuesday, enjoy the week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | January 12, 2016 at 09:18 AM
Stunning set-and I love the commentaries :).
Posted by: Hazel | January 12, 2016 at 08:16 AM