I'm On A Bird Kick... Sandhill Cranes
By fishtiger58
@fishtiger58 (29823)
Momence, Illinois
December 30, 2015 8:29am CST
I know in some parts of the country Sandhill Cranes are quite common. But in Illinois they are not. We have tons of Great Blue Herons but the Sandhill Cranes are less common and harder to spot. They are very shy. And they are a huge bird.
This photo was taken on a lake in Indiana I was fishing. This is my one and only shot of Sandhill Cranes. I have hundreds of photos of the Great Blue Heron one of the Sandhill Crane. That will give you an idea how rare they are in Illinois. I was thrilled when I actually got to see and photograph some. These two were feeding and we were pretty far away. Glad my camera has a fairly good zoom.
5 people like this
6 responses
@T_gray (7774)
• Salina, Kansas
30 Dec 15
That's a awesome picture. The lake I go to doesn't have many birds. I hope to go to different lakes this summer though and maybe see different birds and other things. We have a lake that is known for eagles that I've been to a couple times
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
Thanks, the lakes around here are loaded with Great Blue Herons I love that. Now and then we get lucky enough to see a bald eagle. They are making a come back.
1 person likes this
@T_gray (7774)
• Salina, Kansas
30 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 yes, bald eagles are making a come back. It's very awesome! I've seen a few herons. They are gorgeous. I have never seen a great blue heron, but I've seen pictures. I love birds.
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
@T_gray I love birds too. Imagine what it's like to be able to fly. Amazing.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
30 Dec 15
They spend part of winter in a section of Tennessee not far from us so we have a few landing near our pond once in a while.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
30 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 They don't 'say' much when they stop here LOL!
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
@AbbyGreenhill I think they have the strangest call I have ever heard from a bird.
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
That's pretty cool. I hear them a lot while out fishing, they have a strange sounding call. But to see them is wonderful.
@celticeagle (158739)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Dec 15
I think it was a sand hill crane that I see here in Idaho. Every once in awhile I see one down by a stream when we are traveling some where. Very illusive and shy. You don't see them very often. I usually see them by themselves.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158739)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 ...Well, fancy that?
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@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
31 Dec 15
They are very shy. Great Blue Herons are much braver than a Sandhill Crane, and will only fly away if you get to close to them.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
Thanks so much. I could get pictures in a zoo but what's the fun in that. I love nature and much prefer photographing them in nature. I camp and fish which gives me many opportunities to get photos like this.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
30 Dec 15
They are a cool looking bird, I was amazed by the size of them.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
1 Jan 16
They are gorgeous birds, they were in Kansas when we lived there years ago. I think i first saw them while fishing in Kansas. i love your photo.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
1 Jan 16
Thanks Marilyn, it was pretty happy getting this shot.
1 person likes this
