There are lots of sandhill cranes throughout Canada and especially in the Northwest Territories.
Elegant and graceful, they arrive in late spring to mate and raise their young. They mate for life and usually have two eggs each spring. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that both chicks will survive to adulthood. The male is readily identifiable through his distinctive red forehead patch.
Happy Tuesday.
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 
They also have a much-loved stopover in Nebraska.
I love watching them; they’re so beautiful with their long, reed-like legs.
Great capture. I don’t think I’ve seen a sandhill crane before. I love that they mate for life.
My understanding is that most crane species do. I’ve been looking for chicks. Either it’s a bit too early or they’re well hidden. If I get a photo, I’ll definitely post it.
Great shot of beautiful birds Lynette. We only see them going over at high altitude. Happy Tuesday. Allan
They do like to come to the north. There are several crane species that summer and raise their young here: the most famous of them is, of course, the whooping cranes.
I’ve seen them doing their dance in an estuary in the Queen Charlottes when we lived there a long time ago. They’re so beautiful to watch.
Agreed. That dance is really something. I would like to get a video but haven’t been successful with that yet. Yes, they are so beautiful to watch!
A video would be wonderful. You’d have to sneak up on them and have a good zoom.
For sure. These birds tend to be very calm and unconcerned about humans, but I think that filming them might be a different proposition – much different from a quick snap!
It was so long ago when I saw this crane dance. I wasn’t into cameras much then, but it would be priceless to have that same opportunity now, with a camera.
At least you have the lovely memory, though. Sometimes I think that I miss things a bit by being focussed on the photo rather than the subject.
It can be a dilemma at times. I know I’ve sometimes thought, “Should I run for the camera and maybe miss it, or just enjoy seeing it?”
Agreed. I’m trying to be better about living in the moment, but it’s a work in progress!
That’s a very good thing, but in my case, a photo helps to remind me of that wonderful moment. I guess I want it all.
Lovely! I would love to get this close to them.
These were very nonchalantly strolling next to a road. They didn’t seem to be at all bothered when I stopped!
We get then roughly Jan-Feb in Kentucky. I love to there unique trill as the snack of the remains of our neighbor’s corn field.
They must love that! These two were exploring an area next to a road (sandhills seem to like foraging next to roads as I’ve seen them do this many times before) for tasty bits.
These are beautiful birds. I like the shade of red on the male’s head. Less showy than the cardinals we get around here.
Yes, it’s very distinctive as they can otherwise blend in quite well. They are so graceful and also have a sort of serenity about them, too.