Sandhill cranes at the cabin

Our cabin is fairly close to our wetland, so it is probably not surprising that we see sandhill cranes from time to time. However, usually they fly off as soon as they spot us.

Yesterday I was able to snap the pair shown in the photo by walking slowly toward them, although the step I took just after this photo was taken was enough to send them skyward.

This pair has been around all summer. Pretty nice.

Among other bird sightings was a brood of 10-12 pheasants, wandering along the fire break between the Valley Prairie and the wetland. Since these young ones are reluctant to fly, they will run the whole length of the fire break rather than scoot into the tallgrass prairie.