Crane Family
Last night through the studio window I heard the cranes calling quite nearby. So got up from painting to watch them just 20 or 30 yards from the house out in the field. There were a mom, dad and young one. In the photo the young crane is in the back. I wondered if he could fly yet. I'm always amazed how the parents keep the young birds safe from danger until they can fly, a time of several months after they hatch. As I watched Joe let the dogs out and they both ran out into the middle of the field, Raven going the furthest. I knew I could call them back if they started toward the birds, but they totally ignored them as they have been taught to do. I told them through the open window, "Leave big birds alone!" Raven was out there doing her business, and Sparky closer to the yard fence and the birds. Immediately when the dogs appeared the youngster started going at an angle toward the tall grass of the creek, the father stood still then in a few minutes more slowly followed the young one and the mother bird sat down directly between the dogs and the "colt" (that's a young crane's name). The dogs continued to ignore the birds, but you could sure see how the mother "offered" herself to the predators. For a while she lay over like she was injured. The dogs came back to the house, seeming to never notice the birds, though I know they knew they were there – they are good dogs and do the same thing never to chase the antelope. After the mother was sure the dogs weren't going to come back, she looked around for a while then got up and followed her family as I kept watching her so close up with the spotting scope. They are such beautiful and amazing birds. I wished again for a better camera to get the close ups of wildlife. Gotta put that on the list.
This afternoon Judy called from Greeley and we had a good talk. We got each other up to date on all that has been happening since we've been out of touch with me having no email. Judy and I have always talked almost every day. Thanks for calling, Judy, I enjoyed the visit. <P> The ranchers next to us have finished haying and are taking their equipment home, actually to the next fields where they will be working. They seem to have been taking all the bales from in back of us to their home place as they worked because I don't see any stacked.
Young Crane and Mother
Father
