Happy Jump Day! Sandhill Crane Jumping For Joy!
I am a craniac! I love all critters and birds, but I especially love Sandhill Cranes. I have been photographing and observing them extensively over the past four years, and I can practically set my watch/calendar by their behaviors. In our region, this is the time of year that they begin to “ween” their offspring out of the family. It is a gradual process that happens between November and the end of January. When the weather starts to turn a bit cooler like this, they start to dance. My theory is that they are showing their children the courtship dance, imprinting it for a few years from now when they will become of breeding age. It is the circle of life, and I am so honored to witness it.
The male is in the air. He was down by the pond, and he just spontaneously combusted into his joyful dance, jumping and flapping, and basically being a big dork for his mate. They LEAP quite high in the air, and it is a splendid sight to see. This shot makes my heart sing remembering this joyful moment and SO many others over the years. I am truly blessed. Sandhill Cranes have a fossil record over 10 million years old. I imagine, 10 million years of dances like this!!! WOW!
Hugs and thanks for viewing my bird nerd, craniac joy!!! For more information on these and other cranes visit www.savingcranes.org
***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. copyright KathleenJacksonPhotography 2009***
Happy Jump Day! Sandhill Crane Jumping For Joy!
I am a craniac! I love all critters and birds, but I especially love Sandhill Cranes. I have been photographing and observing them extensively over the past four years, and I can practically set my watch/calendar by their behaviors. In our region, this is the time of year that they begin to “ween” their offspring out of the family. It is a gradual process that happens between November and the end of January. When the weather starts to turn a bit cooler like this, they start to dance. My theory is that they are showing their children the courtship dance, imprinting it for a few years from now when they will become of breeding age. It is the circle of life, and I am so honored to witness it.
The male is in the air. He was down by the pond, and he just spontaneously combusted into his joyful dance, jumping and flapping, and basically being a big dork for his mate. They LEAP quite high in the air, and it is a splendid sight to see. This shot makes my heart sing remembering this joyful moment and SO many others over the years. I am truly blessed. Sandhill Cranes have a fossil record over 10 million years old. I imagine, 10 million years of dances like this!!! WOW!
Hugs and thanks for viewing my bird nerd, craniac joy!!! For more information on these and other cranes visit www.savingcranes.org
***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. copyright KathleenJacksonPhotography 2009***