The Sandhill cranes have once again returned to a small nearby refuge. The refuge is closed to the public at this time of year, but if you drive around the surrounding land, you can often see flocks flying in the sky or eating waste corn and insects from the harvested corn fields. The cranes have been making their way back to these same farm fields for many years. What a joy to see and hear them as they winter at this stopover place.
This fond attachment to the well-known place
Whence first we started into life’s long race,
Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway,
We feel it e’en in age, and at our latest day.
~William Cowper
walking on a country road 
🩷
Lucky you! I would love to live near a place where cranes spend their winter. 😊
It is always a treat to see them. 🙂
Nice to see you have cranes. Beautiful photos.
Thanks, Timothy. I heard and saw a small flock go over back in late November but just recently had time to go see them. They seem to be feeding along with a flock of snow geese.
We witnessed a whole cornfield full of them last October. They are very noisy, but amazingly beautiful . So are your photos❤️
It’s an amazing sight. Thanks, Kathy!
I’ve never heard them before? Are they voice-tress?
They have a very unique sound and when they fly over your head, you know they are there. 🙂
I listened to some of their sounds. Very distinctive!
Quite different from geese. 🙂
true and I’m not even sure how to describe that difference?
What a treat to see them Rebecca and of course, given their loud squawking noise, you know they have arrived so you can prepare to grab your camera to secure your spot to see them. These are great photos and I especially like as they prepare to land and their legs are dangling down. Hope they made a soft landing!
Landing does make a nice silhouette. 🙂