tinwhistle

I grew up in central Wisconsin, USA in the late 50's and rarely saw birds other than pigeons, or robins. DDT had done it's thing. Fast forward to 2020 and it's a complete recovery, almost miraculous. Today, on the way out to photograph a job site I saw numerous birds, including two immature Eagles. Sand Hill Cranes are numbered in the thousands, if not millions. Upon arrival in the spring they will disperse all over the area tp raise their young. In the late fall they will slowly gather together for the flight south. I'll first see them gather in small groups in and around marshes and corn fields. Soon those small groups will gather together creating huge flocks of cranes. This bunch I saw today probably numbered around two thousand. Unfortunately, I did not have my wide angle lens, but you get the idea.

Mom and her chicks in my back yard


Just starting to gather last month


This gathering covered several acres

jdtonkinson Loc: Red Wing, MN

Wow....great photos and a truly great story. Great news about the return of these beautiful birds.
I spent the last 20 years in Rochester MN, before retiring to S.E, Arizona

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nice set.

tinwhistle

Thanks for the reply's guy's. Did you notice that they change colours before the flight south?