Here's something you don't see every day, a Leucistic Sandhill Crane. This fall while watching the sandhills come in waves from the northwest to circle and land in the marsh, one really stood out as the sun highlighted its white wings . . .

The wind was quite blustery out of the north, and I was fascinated by the sandhill cranes that would ride the wind to the south with speed and then bank back to the north to land in the field. As they glided back to the north . . .

A Sandhill Crane colt caught in mid-stride, and wondering how much longer it will be before it grows into its feet! This family of cranes was doing well in June with two colts that were healthy and growing. Survival rate for Sandhill Crane colts is about 50%, with the average pair of cranes raising one colt to adulthood.

After the Sandhill Crane pair I'd followed in May lost their colts, it was great to find another pair of cranes raising two colts, and they were in the awkward teenage phase. Their feathers were just starting to emerge . . .

Two sandhill cranes pause for a moment from foraging to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Back in early May this Sandhill Crane pair brought into the world a couple of beautiful colts, and I was fortunate to spend a few days with them before they meandered off across the fields to somewhere else. Didn't see them for about 3 weeks . . .