Sandhill Crane Close-Up! Third Eyelid - Nicitating Membrane
My day began snuggling with my husband and our dog, and then the sound of Sandhill Cranes landing in the lot next to our house! KERRROOOK, KERRROOOK, KERRROOOK! I decided to get out there before my shower, and I’m so glad I did. It was Zero and Dasani, Classic and Cherry’s offspring from almost a year ago to the day. They hatched on or around March 12th last year. They are full grown, and SO splendid. They look so much like their parents, but I could still tell it was them. There were a few flecks of gray still present in their red hats but not much, and their legs also gave them away. Their parents’ legs are slightly thicker and their knees are bigger.
Classic and Cherry weaned them out of the family situation over time beginning in November. I watched it happen. It pulled my heart strings. They continued to teach them as they began their mating dances, but of course that was also the reason it was time for them to separate. My assumption is that I will see Classic and Cherry emerge from the woods on the property where I work with this year's baby or babies by next week or weekend. They brought Sprite out almost a year to the day before they brought Zero and Dasani out to start learning to forage. You can see a lot of shots of this family in my Sandhill Crane set. They are my favorite bird, and my favorite family of Sandhill Cranes, so I could go on and on. Oops, I guess I already did!
The nicitating membrane also called a third eyelid blinks horizontally. I think it comes out mostly when they are foraging. I imagine it protects their eye from the occasional poke from a blade of grass or other flora as they peck into the loose Florida soil for bugs. I thought this was a really cool capture of this membrane. Cats and rabbits also have this “third eyelid” Thanks for viewing!
***All rights to my images are STRICTLY reserved. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing my images or if you are an educator or non-profit interested in use.***
Sandhill Crane Close-Up! Third Eyelid - Nicitating Membrane
My day began snuggling with my husband and our dog, and then the sound of Sandhill Cranes landing in the lot next to our house! KERRROOOK, KERRROOOK, KERRROOOK! I decided to get out there before my shower, and I’m so glad I did. It was Zero and Dasani, Classic and Cherry’s offspring from almost a year ago to the day. They hatched on or around March 12th last year. They are full grown, and SO splendid. They look so much like their parents, but I could still tell it was them. There were a few flecks of gray still present in their red hats but not much, and their legs also gave them away. Their parents’ legs are slightly thicker and their knees are bigger.
Classic and Cherry weaned them out of the family situation over time beginning in November. I watched it happen. It pulled my heart strings. They continued to teach them as they began their mating dances, but of course that was also the reason it was time for them to separate. My assumption is that I will see Classic and Cherry emerge from the woods on the property where I work with this year's baby or babies by next week or weekend. They brought Sprite out almost a year to the day before they brought Zero and Dasani out to start learning to forage. You can see a lot of shots of this family in my Sandhill Crane set. They are my favorite bird, and my favorite family of Sandhill Cranes, so I could go on and on. Oops, I guess I already did!
The nicitating membrane also called a third eyelid blinks horizontally. I think it comes out mostly when they are foraging. I imagine it protects their eye from the occasional poke from a blade of grass or other flora as they peck into the loose Florida soil for bugs. I thought this was a really cool capture of this membrane. Cats and rabbits also have this “third eyelid” Thanks for viewing!
***All rights to my images are STRICTLY reserved. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing my images or if you are an educator or non-profit interested in use.***