Looking Again. The Sandhill Crane

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.  June 2024 

I’ve been going through my archives and rediscovering photographs I made over the past two years. Some of them are photographs I had almost forgotten. Looking at them now, I see them differently—and I’ve decided to give some of them a second life.

Generally, life is good.

One Morning with a Sandhill Crane - I

Luck plays a big part in bird photography. Every time I visit Bear River MBR, I hope for a pinch of luck to make the trip worthwhile—whether that means spotting a bird I've never seen before, or catching another glimpse of a Short-eared Owl.

Seeing a Sandhill Crane and following it into the marsh felt like a dream come true.

Taking a moment to preen, a Sandhill Crane gets ready for his close-up.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. More on Sandhill Cranes

I am currently in the midst of a "crane phase" and continue to explore an interesting field that a pair of Sandhill Cranes has claimed as their territory.

Tomorrow we’re expecting snow and rain.

Sandhill cranes will not hide in thick bushes or under the trees during rain or snow. Because they rely on their eyesight to spot predators like coyotes or foxes, they prefer to stay in open wetlands or shallow ponds.

Even in snow, they typically spend the night standing in shallow water facing into the wind to keep their feathers smooth and tucking their heads into their back feathers to conserve heat.

Generally, life is good.

Notes to Self. Beyond the Blackbird Pond

Leaving behind the pond with the curious name "Blackbird Pond", I went to explore this area further and soon the trail lead me to a small winding river where to my surprise I saw a pair of Sandhill Cranes.

Watching them, I got the sense that this wasn't a chance encounter; they moved with the quiet confidence of owners surveying their own territory. 

Now, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll remain as the seasons shift—whether they will still claim this stretch of water once the summer heat takes hold and the river begins to run thin.

Generally, life is good.

 

During Sunrise

 

While some corners of Bear River prepare for a new chapter and a new route, local residents - the Sandhill Cranes - remain as graceful as ever. 

It might be some time before the landscape settles, but I have a feeling these magnificent birds will be the first to call the new territory home.

Generally, life is good.

An Unexpected Drama - III. Finale

 

Everything comes to an end, sooner or later. The Sandhill cranes will soon leave the field, only to likely return again. Will they once more face the attacks of the American Avocets? Was this a brief territorial, skirmish, or the beginning of a longer conflict? 

The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge offers abundant food resources. Hopefully, this was just a short-lived dispute—unless, of course, the Avocets are intent on claiming the area as a breeding ground.

Generally, life is good.

An Unexpected Drama - II.

It's difficult to say exactly how long the siege of the pair of Sandhill Cranes lasted. Looking back, I had a strange feeling that the entire event stretched on for an unusually long time.

The American avocets' aggression steadily intensified. They grew increasingly frustrated by their inability to dislodge the two impudent cranes from their territory.

Despite the cranes' actions, the Avocets were relentless.

I was struck by the cranes' remarkable resilience; their behavior seemed to declare that they would continue foraging and leave "their" field only when they deemed it necessary.

Generally, life is good.

An Unexpected Drama - I.

 

My favorite pair of Sandhill cranes graced this field each dawn, their peaceful routine undisturbed by any intrusion. 

This morning, however, an unexpected drama unfolded. 

For reasons unknown, cranes were besieged by a boisterous flock of American avocets, whose behavior was surprisingly aggressive as they attempted to drive the cranes away.

Over the past years, the avocets had never contested this territory. Perhaps a new generation of these birds had decided to assert their dominance. 

Far from being intimidated, the large cranes appeared merely surprised and increasingly annoyed by the Avocets' behavior. Sandhill Cranes had no intention of leaving their territory.

to be continued

Generally, life is good.

Sandhill Cranes

 

Every time I am in the Bear River MBR I am thinking about these amazing birds and always try to imagine our meeting.

I was lucky this morning to see a pair of Cranes foraging together. It was a very short meeting, only a few minutes, but I had a chance to capture the beauty and elegance of these birds and that was great.

I think this pair has a nest with eggs or young flightless chicks nearby but not completely sure.

Life goes on.

Sandhill Cranes in December?

At first, I heard the voices of Sand Hill Cranes and thought that this is my imagination playing a joke on me. Then I saw a flock of cranes high in the sky, and my first thought was, why do the Cranes cross Northern Utah late in December?

No doubt, Cranes were migrating south from their Northern breeding grounds.  Apparently, their migration has been delayed for some reason.

Life goes on.

Sandhill Crane at Bear River MBR

Seeing Sand Hill Cranes on the Bear River during summer is a rarity. On that August morning there were two of them. One of them kept a distance while the other was rather brave and got closer.

Looking at this photo now, I think that the Crane was a female.  She was very feminine and elegant.  Although it is possible that I am wrong.

Life goes on.

Notes to Self. Life Does Go On

" No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on..."

Maya Angelou 

I photographed these Sandhill Cranes one year ago in July at Bear River MBR.

Life goes on...  

Shall We Dance ?

It happens. Sometimes a male Sandhill Crane is willing to perform a courtship dance but a female isn't in a mood.  

On the photo above the male Crane started his invitation to dance with spreading his wings wide open and standing on one leg but the female wasn't very impressed.

The male chose a different approach showing how gentle he is, how humble but the female completely ignored his trick.

What would happen if I perform a bow?  Will she be willing to go into dance with me?

No, this trick didn't work also.  

It's my last chance, my last wings flap and elegant stretch. Maybe, my chosen one will be willing perform with me a courtship dance?

***

I admired the male's perseverance and his graceful invitation to dance but unfortunately, the female remained indifferent to the male's attempts to draw her into the dance.  This morning she was not in the mood to participate in the mating dance.

Generally, life is good!  

Sandhill Cranes at Pineview Reservoir

 

The wetland around Pineview Reservoir is full of surprises and opportunities.  This morning I had two opportunities;  I could walk to the dead tree where a few days ago I saw the flock of Turkey Vultures and to photograph a Red-tailed Hawk who was perching on the tree.

Or I could cross the wet field and walk toward two Sandhill Cranes hoping that they would not fly away upon my approach. I chose Sandhill Cranes.

Walking across the wetland isn't fun at all, there is underground water and many shallow streams but you are surrounded by wild flowers, butterflies and birds and you breath this beauty and become part of it.

 

Generally, life is good!

Are You Coming or Not?

Birds are getting impatient and annoyed when their mates don't pay enough attention to them. 

This male Sandhill Crane was impatiently waiting on the road for his female mate who wasn't in a hurry to join him.  He shifted from foot to foot making it clear that it was time to leave.  

Some time later he lifted impatiently the left leg without taking his eyes off female. 

I will come when I am ready.  

Red-winged Blackbirds don't like Sandhill Cranes, they chase and attack them. Apparently, the Sandhill Cranes prey on Red-winged Blackbirds nests. 

On the photo above the female Crane who wasn't in a hurry to join her mate was attacked by the Red-winged Blackbird and was chased away.

 

After all patience has its limits. The male Crane slowly began to cross the road leaving his mate alone.  And by the way, who wants to be attacked by Red-winged Blackbird?

The female Crane escaped the attacks of Red-winged Blackbird.

Generally, life is good! 

Sandhill Cranes Are Back

 

In the early mornings it's still freezing cold but Sandhill Cranes are already at their spring home, the Bear River. Yesterday I saw two of them and listened to their loud calls that boomed across their wetland habitat. 

Soon the breeding season will start and Cranes will perform their elegant courtship dances.  These dances are unforgettable!

I also was happy to see that day Double-crested Cormorants, a few Western Grebes ( surprise, surprise...) and Tundra Swans.  The Bear River slowly awakes from a long winter sleep.

Generally, life is good!

A Lonely Sandhill Crane Found a Mate

I was following this lonely Crane for a few weeks in the spring  hoping that eventually he will find a mate.  

I remember how he performed a short courtship dance spreading his wings in the marsh among ibises and avocets but there wasn't a mate around to admire his dance. Here is the link to his dance.

I asked my friends often would he eventually find a mate and always got optimistic answers.  "Of course, he would find", my friends said. And they were right!  This Crane found his mate, he isn't alone anymore. 

Today the Crane brought his mate to the place were he used to wander alone.   

***

Most of my photographs I take during sunrise when the desert is in a beautiful soft golden light. Later in the day the light is very harsh and the desert doesn't look very appealing. 

Sandhill Crane is Heading Toward the Marsh

A luck is a big part in bird photography. Every time I am at Bear River I hope that with a pinch of luck my trip would be worthwhile and I see a bird I have never seen before or meet again a Short-eared Owl or a Coyote. 

Seeing a Sandhill Crane and following him to the marsh was like a dream that came true.

Passing by and for a minute posing and lifting his wings as if he going to perform a courtship dance.

Something captured his attention in the water.

Another stop.  How I love his elegant posture with wings up. How beautiful and dignify he is!

Walking slowly not paying attention to Avocet.

It's time for cleaning. 

Leaving this place and heading toward the marsh. It's a long walk to the marsh and at some point the Crane will take flight to get there.

See you at the marsh!