Sandhill Cranes mate for life. This morning I found the Mr. and Mrs. renewing their vows in the Sherburne National Wildlife Reserve. Even though it was only 26F shortly after sunrise, the loving couple felt like performing a “dawn dance”.
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Another piece of information I did not know, in addition to the Wildlife Drive, between September 1st and the start of deer hunting season, there is a another dirt road one may drive which starts at the Blue Mound Cemetery (3.5 miles long with a side trip to the public boat launch). It was well worth the drive, and next year I will come down from Duluth and make certain I try the road closer to September 1st
The Offering Followed by the Dance (maximize to see the crane’s beak)
The Movie (video link for email subscribers)
Sandhill cranes? Oh, baby, the first time I came across a pair of Sandhills in a field I was stunned by their height! And then they squawked like what I think prehistoric pterodactyls would sound like … aaaark!
Well done young man, reminds me of my 21 years taking photographers to the Platte River in Nebraska.