Althouse: I hadn't seen a sandhill crane in many weeks...

March 4, 2022

I hadn't seen a sandhill crane in many weeks...

... so I took a long look this morning — as the sun rose over Lake Mendota.

20 comments:

Dave Begley said...: If Althouse and Meade ever visit Nebraska, March is the month when millions of Sandhill Cranes hang out on the Platte River near Kearney. It is just a few miles south of Interstate 80. Early morning and at dusk is the best time.

I went for the first time two years ago. Wild! Prehistoric.; 3/4/22, 11:35 AM
Dave Begley said...: I'm not kidding about millions of birds.; 3/4/22, 11:38 AM
Omaha1 said...: Nice! I hear lots of red wing blackbirds in the background.; 3/4/22, 1:16 PM
Omaha1 said...: Dave Begley this has become a major tourist attraction along the Platte River. I have never seen it but my aunt and uncle went a couple of years ago.; 3/4/22, 1:17 PM
TheOne Who Is Not Obeyed said...: They're just coming back into southern WI, based on the sightings on the Audubon app. Feels like they're a week or so late this year. Swans and red wing blackbirds are back as well. First signs of spring.; 3/4/22, 1:26 PM
JES said...: I thought sandhills migrated. We went to Kearney Nebraska several years ago, also, and it is just an amazing sight. One of the most memorable in my lifetime. When our kids were young some 40 years ago we would camp out near the Sugar River on the Crane Count weekend, but we never saw any. Now we constantly see them roaming around fields all summer. Great comeback for the cranes and eagles.; 3/4/22, 1:30 PM
mikee said...: The same birds winter on the coast of Texas, passing through Brazos Bend State Park near Fort Worth before hitting the Attwater National Wildlife Refuge beyond Houston. I haven't seen one in 21 years of suburban Austin life.

We do get plenty of Green Herons, Egrets, and Great Blue Herons in our neighborhood pond, stopping for a few minnows or crawfish before moving on to or from South Padre. I guess when there are millions, following the rest on a more direct path is easy. Now where have all the Road Runners gotten to?; 3/4/22, 1:34 PM
farmgirl said...: The Dawn Chorus. Such a lovely sound, I’m jealous!! We had -12 this morning, but it’s forecasted to be 51 on Sunday. It isn’t truly Spring until I hear the blackbirds sing!! Their song gives me energy!; 3/4/22, 1:39 PM
Rusty said...: Well there's a shit ton coming your way now because I just saw a dozen huge flocks about a hour ago.; 3/4/22, 2:45 PM
Robert Marshall said...: That is one loud bird!; 3/4/22, 2:59 PM
BG said...: The geese are also winging north. Horicon Marsh's sign of spring.; 3/4/22, 3:14 PM
Meade said...: I wonder if that was his mate we saw flying low and directly overhead this morning at about the same time. I was a few miles away walking my old friend Zeus who turned 15 today. Good old dog, Zeus.; 3/4/22, 4:50 PM
TheOne Who Is Not Obeyed said...: Soon...soon...there will be a hunting season for cranes in WI. And then we shall feast upon the 'ribeye of the sky'.

Soon.; 3/4/22, 5:08 PM
rcocean said...: cranes are nice to look at. But they are the original "bird brains". I think crows are 10x smarter.; 3/4/22, 6:24 PM
jefferson101 said...: Whenever the days are cool and clear
The sandhill crane goes walking
Across the field by the flashing weir
Slowly, solemnly stalking.
The little frogs in the tules hear
And jump for their lives when he comes near,
The minnows scuttle away in fear,
When the sandhill crane goes walking.

The field folk know if he comes that way,
Slowly, solemnly stalking,
There is danger and death in the least delay
When the sandhill crane goes walking.
The chipmunks stop in the midst of their play,
The gophers hide in their holes away
And hush, oh, hush! the field mice say,
When the sandhill crane goes walking.

By Mary Austin.

It fell into my mind the minute I saw the thread.; 3/4/22, 6:29 PM
jefferson101 said...: Whenever the days are cool and clear
The sandhill crane goes walking
Across the field by the flashing weir
Slowly, solemnly stalking.
The little frogs in the tules hear
And jump for their lives when he comes near,
The minnows scuttle away in fear,
When the sandhill crane goes walking.

The field folk know if he comes that way,
Slowly, solemnly stalking,
There is danger and death in the least delay
When the sandhill crane goes walking.
The chipmunks stop in the midst of their play,
The gophers hide in their holes away
And hush, oh, hush! the field mice say,
When the sandhill crane goes walking.

Written by Mary Austin

When I saw the video, that poem was the first thing that hit my mind.; 3/4/22, 6:31 PM
Original Mike said...: Heard one flying overhead (and calling) this afternoon (maybe 3:00) flying south to north (so, towards University Bay). Didn't get a chance to look up; I was underneath a Weigela, pruning.; 3/4/22, 7:20 PM
farmgirl said...: They have a very distinctive call- I’ve never heard it before. It sounds like a bad starter, a little bit.; 3/4/22, 8:09 PM
farmgirl said...: Weigela: I just googled that.
Lucky you, playing in the dirt.; 3/4/22, 8:13 PM
Scott Patton said...: The sound of the passing runners' footfalls is classic. It could be overdubbed into Revolution #9 and fit right in.
The crunchiness is similar to the sounds in ASMR videos.
Link goes to Boing Boing, while indeed being a "directory of wonderful things" it is also offensive in its vile commie-ness.
Direct youtube link to the subject video.; 3/5/22, 4:49 AM