‍11.30.25: Walking with baby

‍I’ve had the good fortune over the years to spend time photographing Sandhill Cranes in the wetlands area of Slate Run Metro Park south of Columbus, Ohio.

‍An adult pair shows up in early spring. They build a nest which I’ve yet to see but know the general location. They raise their babies during the summer and fall, then disappear for the winter. They show up again  the next spring to repeat the process.

‍Unlike the wide variety of herons or egrets I’ve photographed that fly off when they see a human, the Sandhill Cranes look at me when I approach, determine I’m not a threat, then go about their business. I’ve picked up some nice photos of Sandhill Cranes feeding near the water in the wetlands.

‍This photo was intended to be a shot of an adult Sandhill Crane walking through tall grass. I grabbed a couple of shots, then received a surprising addition to a scene when a  baby crane popped its head up above grass level and  began walking with its parent.

‍I took about a dozen shots before the adult crane rejoined its mate in an area beyond camera range. The baby was visible above the grass in only four or five of the photos.

‍Sandhill Cranes mate for life — which can mean 20 years or more —and stay with their mates year-round. Juveniles stick close by their parents for up to 10 months after hatching before heading out on their own.

‍The adults are about four feet tall (a bit taller than the average Great Blue Heron) with a wingspan of six and a half feet. The feathers are slate gray, although they tend to look a rusty brown. That’s because the birds wipe mud from their bills on their feathers after looking for food in the wetlands. The bird’s short tail is covered by a bustle of drooping feathers.

‍Besides the Sandhill Cranes I’ve seen each spring at Slate Run, I’ve also photographed the cranes in wetlands along Lake Erie in northern Ohio in the spring when I’m in the area to photograph migrating warblers.

‍But the most interesting Sandhill Crane encounter occurred near our winter home in Fort Myers, Fla. For several consecutive winters a Sandhill Crane would visit the area near the clubhouse, golf shop, putting green and gym in our gated community. The bird would stand beside the putting green as golfers practiced, watching the balls roll toward the cups. It would stand outside the door to the restaurant in the clubhouse, looking through the glass as people ate. And it would stand outside the door to the gym, looking through the glass but stepping aside when people entered or exited. It seemed as if it was evaluating the area to determine if it wanted to buy a home. Rumor was that someone was sneaking it some snacks. I don’t know if that was the case, but I do know the bird was very comfortable with its surroundings.