It's my favorite sign of Spring. The throaty trill heard high
in the sky. High above, barely visible due to their altitude, it's a flock
of Sandhill cranes returning from the South, where they've been
living during the winter months. We saw hundreds of these massive beauties flying over today. . . what a treat! (Fall is also a great time
to see them, as they head south for the winter.)
The sandhill crane is akin to the heron, only larger. With a
7-foot wingspan, these beautiful birds reach a height of 31 to 47 inches.
Seeing the Sandhill Cranes flying in small groups, calling loudly,
growing closer and closer, circling the sky into larger groups for their flight north to breeding grounds in Canada is a surreal experience. I feel fortunate to live in a part of Indiana where we get to witness this migration each Spring and Fall from our own backyard. Most of the birds we see here are heading north for a stop over in the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Medaryville, Indiana.
Check out this video produced by the Chicago Tribune.
Be sure to turn on your sound.
And here is just a few pieces of my favorite sandhill crane art from Etsy.
Sandhill crane letterpress print by Just A Jar Press
Sandhill crane print by Madara Mason
Limited Edition GICLEE MINI Print / "Reed Preening" /
Watercolor Painting of a Sandhill Crane by Reyes Paintings
Watercolor Painting of a Sandhill Crane by Reyes Paintings
