One of the best things about our home is the view out over the hayfields and wetlands. With the sun streaming in the windows, I could not stop day dreaming about the coming spring. Today we had a special treat! A pair of Sandhill cranes were browsing in the meadow, feeding side by side.
The birds being maybe 1000′ away, my son grabbed his camera and took off outside. We grabbed the handy Audubon reference to make sure our guess of Sandhill crane was correct, and it was. The binoculars showed a red forehead above the beak, a white cheek, and magnificent height.
Their bedraggled appearance verified they are in migration. Some pass through each year from as far away as Cuba heading to breeding grounds as far north as Siberia and Alaska.
It may seem silly to some to get so excited about birds. They, along with the great blue heron, have been making a strong showing in our area in the last few years, and we have been cheering them on. It is wonderful to see the resilience our Lord has placed in His Creation.
Cranes migrate by following known paths taught them by their parents, or substitutes. The parents mate for life. Migrating birds know when and where to go and when to come. When God created them, He put that information in them.
“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.” ~Jeremiah 8:7, KJV
I’m sharing at What’s Up Wednesday, Domestically Divine, and Raising Homemakers.
~ Jacqueline
I am glad you had some of our long legged birds rest awhile at your place. Lord Bless
Thank you, Lee, for helping me to get that wonderful perspective of how the Lord instilled their routes of migration by design, taught by the parents! Magnificent stuff!
We happen to live five minutes from the Sandhill Crane Observatory. They get 10,000s of cranes every fall and spring and we like to go watch them do their dances! In fact, because we are so close, our hay field can get up to 50 of these magnificent birds, just hanging around, dancing and eating!
That is a wonderful perk of living there, I think! I am absolutely nuts about any kind of bird. When we transitioned the farm to organic, we saw the bird populations go up, up, up.~ the bobolinks, the buntings and orioles along the creeks. Also the flickers and hummers increased. God’s creatures are just awesome…but not as great as the Creator Himself!
How exiting! I’ve don’t think we’ve ever seen Sandhill cranes before; they look magnificent! Over the past week we’ve had a few blue birds pass through. What fascinating things the changing season (or rather, our Creator) brings our way. : )
What beautiful pictures! We have many Sandhill Cranes living near us. Often in spring their calls are the first thing I hear in the morning. I have never been able to get pictures as good as yours though!
Melissa,
Please give your sweet mama a big hug from me, OK?
I didn’t think of the connection between your location and the Sandhill Crane Observatory…are you close by? Our son’s camera is much better than my S8100 Cool Pik…wish I had his lens
I love Sandhill Cranes! They have such an awesome call. We had a couple down here (in the South) in our front yard dancing just last week…
I would love to see ‘the dance’ or hear ‘the call’! If I ever do, it will bless my heart! I’ve watched videos of the courtship dance but never in person.
Gostei muito desse site!
I really enjoy your blog!
God’s didn’t miss a beat with cranes. Beautiful! We have a crane celebration in November that I love to attend because I photograph some beautiful birds. Thank you for sharing Jacqueline.
They aren’t storks are they? lol
http://theredeemedgardener.blogspot.com/2012/02/jethro-bodine-gardener.html
What magnificent birds these are! Many thanks for this share!
Hi,
We are a homeschooling family living outside Doniphan, Ne near the Platte. I have cranes outside my window right now. We live in a prime Crane Viewing area and crane watchers come from all over. We have to be careful this time of year because the cars will suddenly stop right on the road to view the cranes. You have a lovely blog. I just found you from Raising Homemakers. I am going to make your homemade mayo. I have been looking for healthy cost-effective mayo, and I can’t find any. Thanks.
Welcome, Pam,
I have been reading about the Platte and the crane habitat. it is such a magnificent area and the huge numbers of bird must be an awesome sight to behold. I am glad to share the mayo recipe…we have found that almost everyone loves it. Many blessings to you and your household in Jesus!
I know this is off topic of your post but I was just wondering how the maca is working for you? I have been taking it for the past month or so and I think it is working!;)
Hi, Lori! Good to hear from you! I am not taking it yet, but it was from you that I first heard about it! I am ordering some soon and will let you know! I DO hope it works! Thanks for asking
That is funny! I thought it was from you that I heard about it!
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